Thursday, July 24, 2008

Enjoying The Fruits Of Her Labor

Tonight, my friends, we feasted.

I got off work on time and hurried home since it wasn't my night to go to the rehab center. I thought I'd fix dinner before my 6 p.m. appointment to get my hair cut, but no one could decide what to have. Finally, I had a stroke of genius.

Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. With fresh tomatoes out of Mom's garden.

For once, everyone was in agreement. Everyone decided to help.

While I went to get my hair cut, Hubster went to harvest the tomatoes. The Girl drove to the grocery store for lettuce and bacon along with Pseudo Daughter. The Boy got the lawnmower out and mowed the back yard.

I didn't say everyone helped out with the MEAL.

When I got home I cooked up the two packages of bacon and sliced four huge tomatoes. I washed the lettuce, toasted the bread and had The Boy set the table since he was in from mowing by that time.

And then we called the herd in to the feedbag.

By that time The Girl had a friend over, but since she'd eaten already there was more for us. She was assigned the duty of toasting more bread as we needed it. Good thing, because the five of us polished off EVERY. SINGLE. BIT.

And indeed and for sure, those were the best BLTs we've ever had. Well, the best ones so far this year anyway. Tomato season has just started, and I can't wait for more to ripen.

The taste of these tomatoes may have to do us a good, long time. This is the last garden Mom will ever plant. She's been our supplier of fresh green beans and tomatoes, okra, green peppers, and lettuce ever since I can remember. In addition, we have been the willing recipients of thousands of jars of the bounty from her garden, things she canned for us out of love. That will also be a thing of the past.

And I will sorely miss it all.

Sure, I can try to grow those things myself, and I will. I can put the vegetables in jars the same way she did. I can grow and harvest all the same fruits and vegetables.

But somehow I know they'll never be as good as Mom's.

3 comments:

Linds said...

The memories will still be good though.
And if you start growing them, just think of all the insults she will be muttering about your inferior gardening talents! They should keep her going a while. And it may spur her on to try to teach you the right way!

Unknown said...

Wow..... That is a tough act to follow. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel though. I found it any way. When you start gardening and canning the fruits of your labor..... well it may not be as good as your Mom's in your mind out the eyes of your children, but just wait until the grands come along and they will think you hung the moon and everything you do will reinforce that thinking. I am speaking from experience Chris and you know those grands even have me believing it is true.

HeyJules said...

And someday the girl will be saying that about her tomatoes...

Oh, and if it gets to be too much to eat all those yourself...you do know where I live!!! :-)