Susan with granddaughter, Eve in the kitchen.

By Susan Shanklin

I’m charged. I’m ready!

Ready for what? Harvest!

Oh, I can say with a certainty it seemed to come oh so fast. Spring was wet and cold and early August felt like spring, but it doesn’t matter how I feel. It’s the when the fruit is ready, well it’s ready!

It’s so nice to finish what you started, right? I’m sure you are just like me, maybe. Ideas come and go. Projects are started and then stalled for lack of time, money, or both. But this year from beginning to end, I’m going to finish what I started in the garden. Not that I don’t usually, but it all can be rather daunting.

I remember dreaming of our backyard gardens in the living room with the woodstove burning and snow hiding the plots of overturned ground. I paged through the seed catologs making mental notes and remembering past successes and failures.

“It’s too early to order,”  I say to myself and to Tom. “Soon though, very soon, I need to order.”

I plan some more but it’s still too soon. And then the day arrives and I start to fill in the lines on the order form. This isn’t a one day affair but it takes days…sometimes weeks.

Tom and I banter back and forth. He wants this, I want that, and then it’s WE will have this. Ha.

Trying something new is good. But keeping with the old is good too. It’s a partnership for success I think.

Harvesting our gardens is going full bore. I’m trying something different this year regarding the harvesting process…..I’m relaxing about it!

I planned this to be successful and I will end it with triumph—one foot in front of the other, one frozen gallon of green beans or corn at a time, one pint of pickled jalapenos at a time, one quart of dill pickles or tomato sauce at a time.

Tom and Susan shelling Arikara Beans.

It’s starting to add up! My new smaller freezer is full! The large freezer in garage is full of home grown lamb and chicken!

When I see the six foot tomato plants bending over with green and blushing fruit, I remember…..I started you from seed over the hot water radiators. I saw you as seed before you were planted.

I think God sees us starting out in the dirt.

God sees us trying to reach upward.

God sees us fruitful.

His plan is just that—a plan for success.

I don’t think it’s all that hidden or secret.

First you have to open up the seed packet, read the directions, and tend to it.

Fertilize, weed, and stick with it. See it to the end.

Some days can be too dry or wet. Some days buggy and hot, but some days are just right. Right for harvest.

O pick and see, for the Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.

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