WordSisters

Author: cmkraack

  • Summertime Expectations

    This time of summer talk turns to tomatoes whenever a few Midwesterners gather. Leaf color, plant height, fruit size, bugs, skin splits suggest gardeners dominating the discussion. The rest of us wait to add our dinner plate observations about juice, pulp, flavor, returning to juiciness. If you like BLTs, caprese salad, a plate of tomato slices, the conversation always features juiciness. A BLT that doesn’t drip some combination of mayo and tomato down the side of the bread is just a sandwich that could be made any time of year.

    We’re having a mediocre tomato harvest in this part of the state. There’s tales about plants growing taller than their gardeners, producing a few blossoms, and two or three golf-ball sized fruit that stay green. More people had plants that developed brown leaves on the lower stem and minimum blossoms or fruit. A friend who usually pushes tomatoes and cucumbers on anyone who comes near his house has had about eighteen tomatoes this year from a half dozen plants. 

    The juice factor isn’t ranking as well as past years either. Caprese salad at a very good Italian restaurant last week had solid, almost too solid, tomato slices. Firm texture and minimal taste. Farmers market tomatoes had woody white streaks throughout the insides. The experts say these are signs of stressed plants as well as highly humid conditions during the wrong time of the season.

    So our tomatoes are stressed. That condition we all understand. So many things out of our control, but we all do our best to do our best. Makes me feel kind of bad for dissing tomato plant output. At this time of summer, optimism for awesome fresh produce dishes stays high. Heading back to the market to bring home new tomatoes with great expectations. Maybe the plants found a happier time later in the growing season to forget their stress.

  • July Thoughts

    The Fourth of July was a bittersweet holiday this year. The day before at a small-town store a husband told his wife that the dress she was considering made her look like a Democrat. That was worth pondering. The local parade crowd was silent when Republican candidates walked past, showed more enthusiasm when Democrats passed. Neither presidential candidate had a float or handed out materials.

    The Supreme Court has determined that we vote to be kind of governed, or maybe ruled. Presidential politics are represented by two old men who could be advisors, definitely not candidates.  Imposters are running for office in places where they don’t live. Folks throw tarantulas at the people they want to represent and seek election without the slightest idea of how to govern. It’s all about power these days. 

    I want my children and grandchildren to have the American life generations fought to build. We might have to fight for its return and hope the spirit of the veterans will be with those on the side of democracy. Stay strong. Happy birthday, United States.

    American marine tank rolls through Garapan, capital of Saipan

  • Life with Pets

    Our kids had a golden hamster named Pucky. While he amused them and they cared deeply for him, Pucky also spent part of each day hanging out with me or riding in my shirt pocket. 

    Hamsters’ lifespan is less than three years. About that time Pucky’s fur turned from gold to grey then developed white streaks within a month. After the kids were in bed one night, he began shaking. I wrapped him in a dry washcloth, tucked him near. He passed. There would be future hamsters and gerbils, but they were not as cuddly and left this world curled in a corner of their homes.

    We have always been a dog family, living with five over forty plus years. Our now adult children lean toward cats. Dogs’ personalities unfold over years of sharing home, food, play, work. Our pets age, we age. Like any family member dogs and cats create good memories, and some better forgotten. 

    Now we’re caring for our crazy, fun-loving, gentle Havanese in his final stretch. Just like older people, he’s developed an assortment of health issues– dementia, mild arthritis, high blood pressure. Life is still good, just quieter with more need for reassurance and assistance. We are in the palliative care time. Like Pucky, the hamster, change is more rapid which makes our time together bittersweet. 

    The most difficult part of adopting a dog or cat is the knowledge that their shorter lifespans mean some form of heartbreak down the road. Yet some of us open ourselves over and over to a companion who loves to walk in any weather, play each day, protect the front door, and loves unconditionally. Cats put on a good show, but they’re sweeties in their own aloof way. 

    If only we could move through our palliative care stage comforted by love, a few meds, an extra cookie or two, cuddles, and a few minutes of massage each day.