It happens every year. Cool fall temperatures and rain sneak up on
us, while we're imagining that the warm balmy weather will never end. An
exaggerated "ton" of tomatoes still hang on the vines, and our small
"on a whim" second corn crop rustles in the pre-storm winds.
Sunday
morning began with a sunrise that we know will be gray skies later. I
ran out for a photo just so I will remember these subtle brush strokes
of color. The weather forecast calls for rain from now until forever.
Not really, just until Friday, but that sounds so faraway from here and
now.

We've
been wondering what to do with all the tomatoes. We've made lots of
sauce that we've frozen in half-pint jars. We've frozen quartered
Cherokees and Brandywines, and have bags and bags of Sungold cherries.
Interestingly it hasn't been the best year for tomatoes. Started out too
cold, then got hot very fast. And yet, prolific they have been, beyond
our expectations. We just couldn't bring ourselves to let all the rest
just rot on the vine in the coming rains. So we picked them and are
letting them "ripen" indoors. We figure this is about the state they are
picked in for most supermarkets, so we're experimenting. I'm sure most
of this will be tossed at some point, but we always love a good proof of
concept moment.

Our
first batch of corn was delicious. Sweet as could be, fully formed and
beautiful. This second batch was planted late, just to see what we might
get. We haven't eaten any yet, but we did shuck a few to take a look.
Not spectacular or full of perfect kernels, but we're still hopeful
they'll be tasty. We tossed a few of those in the freezer too, still in
their husks. We'll let you know how that goes.
In other
news, I am taking antibiotics for the first time in more than 20 years. I was experiencing serious pain, the kind that gives the word paroxysms meaning.
Finally figured out that some of that pain wasn't
related to the pinched nerve in my neck after all. My dentist agreed to
see me on Saturday morning at 7:30, and after a few x-rays told me I had
an abscessed tooth and will need a root canal after the infection
clears up. I have to say this, antibiotics kick some serious bacteria
butt! Almost pain free and I am happy happy happy.