This beautiful sunflower burst into bloom, I swear, the day after I posted this.
So even though the stinkbugs are frequenting my garden and are destroying my tomatoes (yes, it’s true. From the Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities: These critters feed on developing fruit by inserting their mouthpart into the fruit to feed. The symptoms are believed to be due to a toxin injected into the fruit when feeding.) (Eew)…still, there’s this incredible bloom, and others. Plus more that are close to popping.
And, while I’m lamenting the fact that I won’t be slow roasting any garden-harvested grape or plum tomatoes, I’m comforted, in part, by the sunflowers. It’s like they popped just in time to cheer me. The tomatoes are coming in and look fantastic from a distance…it’s upon closer examination that my heart sinks.
But then I look up. I see the sunflower against the blue. And I see the bee. And I mark the moment. Part defeat, but mostly triumph. It’s all an experiment…the garden, life. There are no guarantees, anywhere on any day. There is just trial and error, and practice and process, and stinkbugs and tomatoes with white spots, and a keeping-open of the heart.
And, not to oversimplify things, but I really think there’s something to that keeping-open of one’s heart. It doesn’t right all wrongs. In fact, it sometimes opens up worlds of heartache. But it’s something I can’t get away from. I come back to this idea again and again. This is my practice. To keep my heart open. Even in the midst of toxin-inducing stinkbugs. (damn them) (in a kind and open heart sort of way)
Sending a little love your way, m
Michelle GD 
beautiful sunflower, and the sky behind it too x
thank you, katie…we’ve got a row of them and they’re just fantastic right now!
I wish I could trade you some tomatoes for sunflowers. That one is a beauty. Here’s to open hearts.
Oh, you’re sweet, Nellie. I wish that too.
Yes, to open hearts…
I love you….and despise this pesky rude stink bugs too.
xoxo
Deb Come sit a spell with me http://diddebdoit.blogspot.com/
love you too, lady. #damnthestinkbugs
If it comforts you, know that they will migrate soon. (I haven’t seen 1 stink bug all summer). I battled with them for 2 or 3 years until I decided to surrender. xo
ah, bella! that is good news! i’ve absolutely surrendered to them this summer.
now i’ll try to patiently await their migration… ;)
Your kindly damning of the stink bugs made me smile…. xox. One year the gophers took out all eleven of my tomato plants and I failed to be as charitable. And invested in a lot of wire baskets xox
>
the humor helps but it can be so disheartening, can’t it?
and eleven?! geesh! glad you’ve got some wire baskets to project your tomatoes now :)
beautifully said, my dear. Keeping our hearts open to all of it….
thank you, marmee.
here’s to the open hearts then…
Made me think about that porcupine book I’m reading that talks about listening with an open heart even when quills are pointed at you. xo
oh yes, b. it’s exactly that. xo
ick, stink bugs…but your sunflowers are beautiful to behold and so are your words :)
ick is right!
and thank you…