Thanksgiving

It's almost December and the garden is providing potatoes, collards, kale, chard, carrots, leeks, rutabaga, cabbage, fava beans, and broccoli. I cut up one of the big Hubbard squash to make a pie for Thanksgiving and it was delicious.

Flowers are still blooming in the garden because the weather has been so warm this Fall. We had a good frost a few days ago, but things are thriving. There are Brussels Sprouts that are just about ready to harvest that I planted this summer. I planted a number of plants in September in hopes that they would survive the winter and come to maturity in February/March.

This has been a challenging year with Anthony shedding his "earth body skin" on April 21. He was mowing the sacred path around the garden and died almost instantly of a massive heart attack. What a way to go! He was full of life and joy, doing what he loved - caring for the Dragonfly Garden. These were his last moments on this earth and then he moved on to his next great adventure. (Read more about Anthony.)

With the help of my friends on Orcas, the garden survived the sudden changes of this Spring. Two months after Anthony, my dad was ready to make his departure from this earth life. I had to suddenly leave for Oregon if I wanted to be with him before he died. I had just planted all of the carrot and corn seeds and several young transplants. A crew of garden angels answered my call for help and watered and cared for the garden through the 2 weeks that I was gone to Oregon. The garden was thriving when I came back much to my comfort and relief!

It has been deeply moving to feel the love from the Orcas Island community for Anthony and me and the garden. At times I thought I might not be able to continue the garden without Anthony, but it has all managed to work out. The garden has been very patient - supporting, nourishing, and loving me during this challenging time. I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!