Thank goodness for the wonderful stores and markets where I am able to conveniently purchase food for myself and my family. I am being sincere. Thank you Whole Foods, thank you Harris Teeter, thank you Mt. Pleasant Farmer’s Market, thank you CSA, the Norman’s really need you. Without you, we would starve, as my bleak garden, thus far, has yielded one lonely jalapeno.

How is your garden? Go on, brag! Please! Inspire me to spend the time in my backyard garden by sharing your garden’s story. My story is one, unfortunately this summer, of invasion and neglect. The deer continually eat the cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. That mystery fungus, or maybe it’s a mold, swallowed the bell peppers. Of course, the basil and rosemary are thriving, and one little lonely pepper. Certainly no recipe from the backyard garden will be gracing our dinner table soon.

Perhaps next spring, I will be outside without a baby riding along in the Bjorn, and I will be able to play in the soil more. Until then, I will begin researching seeds and local nurseries. Abide-A-While is currently the most convenient to my home. Where do you purchase your gardening supplies?

I hope to read about your garden, its defeats and victories. My boys, one of whom remembers last summer’s harvest, has inquired as to why the garden is empty. I have only promised to spend a little more time on our garden, as I do believe a functioning garden belongs in the yard. But I won’t promise to make a concerted effort to keep out the deer. I still enjoy the sight of them, but I do wish their tummies were full after eating all the flowers from the perennial gardens!