Monday, 28 July 2008 - One blackberry bush

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for one blackberry bush.

I was wrong. The "wild" berry plant growing in the backyard is actually a blackberry bush (I had originally guessed raspberry).

After photographing the ripening fruit, I eat the dark berry in the middle of the cluster. Oh my - it's so sweet and juicy!

I last ate wild blackberries in August 2001 during a trip to England and France with my sister and her family. While hiking through England's Lake District, we spied overgrown, berry-laden bushes lining the trail.

My brother-in-law observed that the ripest berries, when gently tugged, easily detached from the stem. We figured that that's how bears and other animals found ripe fruit.

So, after refining our picking technique, we enjoyed an unexpected sweet feast before resuming our trek.

Lucky me. I now have a private blackberry bush. And, just like I do for all of my edible plants, I'm praying for a bountiful harvest.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 27 July 2008 - A memorable Tour

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a memorable 2008 Tour de France.

We haven't followed cycling since the 2006 and 2007 debacles starring Floyd Landis and others.

This year, we gave the Tour de France another chance. And, we're glad we did.

I will remember:

• The exciting race route that engaged us from Stage 1 (rather than boring us for the first week with too many flat stages)
  
• American Christian Vandevelde's stellar overall performance (he had a real chance to clinch a podium spot but, after one poor mountain stage, finished in 5th place)
  
• Sprinter Marc Cavanaugh's decisive four stage wins
  
• Successful breakaways - can't remember when so many succeeded
• The endless debate over the merits of Team CSC's controversial strategy on Alpe d'Huez where Carlos Sastre claimed his first maillot jaune
  
• The usual excellent live commentary by Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen (the "lads") on Versus - they're the best of the best.
  

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: Tickseed blooms match the color of the maillot jaune.

Saturday, 26 July 2008 - A decisive win

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a decisive win.

The Tour de France. Stage 20. A 53 kilometer time trial over rolling terrain. For cyclists, the ultimate race of truth.

Few experts think Carlos Sastre can preserve his "shaky" 1'34" lead over Cadel Evans. Even 7-time winner Lance Armstrong predicts that Evans will more than make up the deficit.

We watch the top five riders leave the starting gate at three-minute intervals. We await the results at each time check.

The news surprises the experts. Sastre is not losing a lot of time. Evans is not making up lost ground. 1'34" might as well be an hour.

In the end, Sastre rides the time trial of his life and keeps the coveted yellow jersey. Although I am not a Sastre fan, I join cycling fans around the world in applauding his apparent victory.

Actually, I'm glad that Sastre kept the yellow jersey. At the end of the day, he simply out-rode his closest rivals. He knew his mission and what he had to do to accomplish it. No pre-race complaints, whines or excuses either. He realized that victory depended on his own talent, courage and determination, not a rival's poor performance or bad luck.

A true champion, Sastre successfully controlled his own destiny.

He took the proverbial bull by its horns and rode like the wind.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 25 July 2008 - My sewing stash

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my sewing stash.

I am in a sewing mood, inspired by the new season of Project Runway and my bulging pattern and fabric stash.

Once upon a time, I sewed every pattern and yard of fabric I bought. Now, unless I start sewing, my stash will outlive me by decades.

On one hand, I take comfort in knowing that, in the event I need a new outfit, I already have the perfect pattern and fabric. But, experience tells me that those special occasions rarely arise.

On the other hand, my lifestyle and wardrobe needs have changed drastically in the last ten years. I now prefer stretch denim jeans to wool crepe suits, high-tech wicking fabrics to silk knits, trendy tees to button-up shirts.

As I survey the pile of luxury fabric, I realize that most of my treasures must go. Not thrown away, but given to another seamstress. Someone who will love them as I have and use them to make beautiful clothes.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 24 July 2008 - A return to bouldering

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a return to bouldering.

Late afternoon. The storm finally clears. I think the next one, already cresting the mountains, won't bring rain. I hope the breeze picks up and clears the muggy air.

S, T and I head to Ute Valley Park to boulder for a few hours. It's our first official visit since S's untimely shoulder injury. I'm anxious to see how well I do.

The hiatus hasn't hurt me too much. As I climb various routes on The Wave, I'm surprised at my core and upper body strength. I'm also pleased by my vastly improved footwork.

Sometimes, a long rest is a good thing. I can recover from the annoying aches and pains that accompany strenuous daily workouts. Just my body's way of reminding me that I am not a 20-something athlete so I should stop trying to be one.

Still, on any given day, I'd rather be climbing.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 23 July 2008 - A respite

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a respite from July's hot weather.

Someone heard my prayers. Or perhaps Mother Nature is simply responding to T's "rain" sleep.

Today, the heatwave broke. Just a little. But, just enough. It's probably a temporary breach. Still, I'm relieved.

Dark clouds poured over the mountains late morning. The first raindrops and hailstones fell around noon. Thunderstorms arrived an hour later. More rain followed.

T is a rare canine in that storms don't bother him. He's sleeping soundly in his favorite spot, oblivious to the low rumble of thunder, lightening flashes and pelting rain. I'm sure he's dreaming of his favorite cool weather days. I, too, am thinking about autumn's frosty mornings and winter's snowdrifts.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photos: Caught in the act ... early this morning, two butterflies ate breakfast in the backyard garden.

Tuesday, 22 July 2008 - Two positive outcomes

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for two positive outcomes.

Although the edible plants and wildflowers thrive in 90 degree temperatures, I wilt like a shade loving perennial.

The heatwave is taking its toll on daily life. After walking just one slow lap around the park, T sleeps all day on the family room floor - the lowest point in the house (not counting the basement). I work in the garden only during the cooler early morning or evening hours. Frequent sips of ice water are my best friends. I postpone writing until nighttime when a cool breeze finally invades my studio. And, after foraging the dry foothills, mule deer dine regularly on my front yard garden's "deer resistant" plants.

There must be something good about this month's continuing drought and heatwave. I can think of only two positive outcomes: fewer noxious weeds are growing in the neighborhood's greenbelt, alley, culvert and open space and no mosquitoes.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Monday, 21 July 2008 - Photographer's luck

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for an unexpected dose of photographer's luck.

Sorry, but here's another butterfly photograph.

While patroling the backyard, camera in hand, I spied this beautiful specimen resting on the serviceberry shrub. I managed to take only one shot before it flew away. Darn it! I was sure the photo would not turn out.

So, when I reviewed today's photoshoot, I was very surprised to find this image. Lucky me!

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Sunday, 20 July 2008 - A simple celebration

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a simple celebration.

This weekend, we're celebrating M's birthday (he turned 20 on July 17). Nothing fancy. Just cool presents (locking carabiner, belay device, chalk bag, chalk block), good food, Josh & John's ice cream and an indoor rock climbing adventure at the local gym.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Photo: Another bee portrait. I had a hard time photographing this hyperactive fellow. Here, he feeds on blue flax nectar.

Saturday, 19 July 2008 - Wild additions

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for "wild" additions to my perennial edible garden.

I was right.

The thorny "mystery" plant growing in the far southwest corner of the yard is a berry bush. Raspberries, I think.

And, the tall plant growing along the fence, about 15 feet to the right of the raspberry bush, is a native golden currant shrub.

Funny how the wild berry plants thrive in this year's intense summer heat without any intervention on my part. No extra water. No fertilizer. They are simply "blooming" where they are planted.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Friday, 18 July 2008 - Wildflowers

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for wildflowers.

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers, so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous. Bricks to all greenhouses! Black thumb and cutworm to the potted plant!
~Edward Abbey

For over 17 years, my backyard garden began like this: In the spring, I worked wildflower seeds into the clay dirt, watered the patches daily and waited. Eventually, seeds sprouted, stems and leaves grew and flowers bloomed. I diligently mulched and weeded. My "cottage" garden slowly took shape, an undisciplined canvas of color and texture. Perfect for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Today, succeeding generations of wildflowers still bloom throughout a more disciplined landscape. As they reveal the innate beauty and magic of native plants, these plants also link my domesticated garden to their original home, the short and tall grass prairie.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Thursday, 17 July 2008 - Fuss-free eggplants

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for fuss-free eggplants.

While I agonize over my "high-maintenance" tomato and basil plants, the eggplants are thriving.

I'm not neglecting them. They get their share of water and fertilizer and sunshine. I'm just glad that the plants are relatively fuss-free and independent. Easy-to-grow, easy-to-please.

And, although I don't have eggplant dreams (does anyone?), I do have a caponata recipe in my archive - will be delicious spread thickly on toasted slices of homemade focaccio.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Wednesday, 16 July 2008 - Fresh herbs

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for fresh herbs, straight from my garden.

Tutti a tavola a mangiare!
(Everyone, to the table to eat!)
~ the invitation Lidia issues at the end of her cooking shows

This summer, we're eating a lot of pasta dressed in homemade tomato-based sauces. The dishes are simple, tasty and healthy - typical rustic Italian cuisine. Plus I get to perfect the cooking techniques I've learned from Lidia Matticchio Bastianich on her PBS shows.

I guess I'm becoming a cooking snob. Since my edible garden now provides a bounty of fresh herbs, I refuse to use the dried, store-bought ones that crowd the cupboard shelf.

As chopped red onions and minced garlic caramelize in a heavy saucepan, I step into the garden. There, with kitchen shears in hand, I clip leaves and stems, filling a soup bowl with fresh herbs: sage, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, tarragon, celery, lovage and parsley.

After carefully washing and drying my treasures, I rough chop them before adding them to the sauce. The aroma is amazing. Deliziosa!

Of course, my real test as a cook comes when, M, our Air Force Academy cadet, visits. For dinner, I serve linguine with meat sauce. To S and me, the sauce is perfect. But, others, not used to my cooking style or preference for intense flavors, might think otherwise.

The verdict: As M finishes his second heaping plateful, he tells me that he really loves the sauce.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Tuesday, 15 July 2008 - One gem

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for one gem.

Digital cameras are perfect for photographers like me. I take lots (and I mean lots) of pictures with my Olympus 570UZ. Sometimes hundreds a day. Multiple shots of the same subject don't bore or bother me. I know that, over time, only a few photos will be memorable or noteworthy.

One gem.

That's all I hope for when I put on my photographer's hat. And, that's exactly what I got this morning.

The photo is technically imperfect. But, that's okay.

It's interesting. It tells a good story.

My beloved garden, one busy bee, a bouquet of Gaillardia daisies. Is he coming or going? I can't tell - can you?

Finally, one shot that did not elude me.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.