13 Comments
User's avatar
Barbara Graver's avatar

We had high hopes for hummingbirds this year but I don't think we had any. Lot's of other birds though. Your meals sound great. I cook straight through the summer. Just like my mom and grandmother. Silly really but it's become expected. I will admit, I will be glad when the wheel turns to Autumn!

Expand full comment
Frances Ray's avatar

I wonder if you'll have some hummingbird visitors traveling back later in the month...fingers crossed.

One of the luxuries of living alone is not having to cook for others. That you keep serving up entire meals as your female ancestors modeled is completely understandable and not at all silly....you have young men to feed.

xx

Expand full comment
Barbara Graver's avatar

I know. I'm grateful to have them around 99% of the time. And I can only blame myself for spoiling them. I hope you're right about the hummingbirds, Frances. I'll mention it to James. He tried very hard to lure them.

Expand full comment
cate kerr's avatar

I don't have much appetite in this heat, and meals are usually impromptu, greenery (often kale from the garden), along with fresh fruit and veg, olives and a little feta plus a light drizzle of EVO or balsamic. It will be another week before the first tomatoes are ready to pick, and I am looking forward to that. The herb garden looks and smells wonderful, and I often add mint (English or Mojito) to my culinary exercises, also basil and Vietnamese coriander.

Home is best in this heat and humidity - either the offerings in restaurants are too heavy or there is too much on the plate. Most of the time, I simply want a good salad and a lovely cup of tea.

Expand full comment
Frances Ray's avatar

I feel much as you do. The growing season where I am is relatively short and conditions this year have vascillated between no rain for close to two weeks and then torrential down pours for several days. Now, more and more local growers have built large greenhouses. I'm sure this will become the norm.

Vietnamese coriander...mmm, sounds intriguing. I'll try to remember to look for some.

Expand full comment
KC12's avatar

August, in these northern parts means a kind of avid eating that falls just short (I hope) of gluttony: the field tomatoes, ramps, local lettuces, magnificent Niagara (Ontario) peaches. I made a pizza topped with sliced fresh peaches, toasted pine nuts and fresh basil on top of the melted chevre and tomato sauce.

Summer clothes: the area where thrifts shine for me; so many women seem to overbuy tops and tees. I'm sorry your recovery is taking longer, and in nice weather it's frustrating to do the physio but be curtailed from things like waking in the forest or climbing up to the top of a hill to enjoy the view.

Expand full comment
Frances Ray's avatar

Your pizza sounds marvelous! And I so agree with your take on August eating which falls just short (maybe) of gluttony. It calls to mind those grizzly bears in the Katmai gorging on salmon before the winter comes.

Thank you for understanding my frustration with this recovery process.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Gelfeld's avatar

Beautiful rummaging, Frances! I love that you "keep things real." I'm a terrible kvetcher most of the time. I'm also buying lots of produce at the two farmers' markets near me. But blackberries seem shockingly expensive to me, $7 per pint at one stand, $9 at another. They're gorgeous, but I haven't bought any. Haven't seen any hummingbirds, either, maybe because neither of us has the time or energy to keep up the feeder this summer. I made a ratatouille yesterday, awfully time-intensive but I love it.

Expand full comment
Frances Ray's avatar

Aww, thank you, Elizabeth. Ratatouille...mmm. I'll have to throw some together. Produce is so expensive. The only time I eat corn is when it's been picked that morning. Today I went to buy some and it's 75 cents an ear...whaat? I'm holding out for Silver Queen which won't be ripe until at least the end of the month.

And P.S., I can hardly wait for the Tjikko Report.

xx

Expand full comment
Linda S's avatar

I am wishing you well. Healing thoughts I send your way.

Expand full comment
Frances Ray's avatar

Thank you, Dear Friend.

xx

Expand full comment
Linda S's avatar

Love that photo of Mary Oliver and I will never tire of her poetry.

Expand full comment
Frances Ray's avatar

I feel the same way, Linda. It’s hard to believe she’s been gone 5 years. Thankfully she left a huge body of work.

Expand full comment