Raindrops and Rubies

What do you do when things do not go quite as planned?

Recently, we have had multiple changed plans, usually catalyzed by one thing.

Rain.

While rain is a vital component to the life, health, and growth of a garden, too much rain can present as much of a problem as too little rain. A flood is just as hazardous as a drought. Water stress is visible everywhere, with pale leaves, stunted growth, and washed out soil.

However, while June was unusually wet, July looks promising. We have had some incredible harvests from our fruit trees and patches. The cherries were bountiful, the strawberries thrived, and the raspberries are producing a delicious crop. When we found the first few raspberries, there was much rejoicing as sweet garnet flooded our mouths. Searching for these gems is thrilling to the heart. Yet even more so, these rubies are signs of hope: Rain is good. The sun will come out. New life will grow.

In the meantime, we are dodging raindrops and hunting for berry treasure.