We have a creek that runs down two sides of our property, which was a real selling point of the house. There are even two footbridges!
I’ve loved being around water my whole life, yet I didn’t appreciate until we moved in how much the presence of that creek would make me aware of different rhythms in the weather. Last week we had an absolute downpour, and the creek, by extension, roared! You heard it if you cracked any window in the house.
Just five days later (and amidst what passes for a heatwave here), that same creek is now a trickle. The heat has brought a surge of flowers, somehow we even have a few spots of California poppies that are thriving. The weather changes and the land reacts.
When you live in cities I think you become shielded from weather. Sure, it can impact your day, but it often doesn’t impact your surrounding environment. Out here, though, you feel how the creeks, trees, birds, flowers, and more respond to weather. It’s a lovely rhythm to slip into and brings a sense of calm.
We have our first tomatoes of the season from the “red alert” bush tomato we planted. These are supposed to bear fruit early in the season, and they’re right on time. I fear we shall soon be awash in more tomatoes than we can cook as the other 3 plants aren’t that far behind.
We’ve learned a ton in this first growing season. The growing itself is often the easiest bit. When (and how) you harvest things has been more of a learning curve. We’re already excited for next year as we’ve kept notes.
