Whew! I think Georgia’s weather is on steroids as it seems more off the chain than usual. This past week’s scorching weather not only makes people ill, it makes you just want to stay inside and vegetate.
I just pray that this is not the shape of things to come because this high heat usually doesn’t occur until late July and August. No rain in sight immediately either and that means we have to actually water the garden more.
This year, I tried raised beds for the first time and I am totally sold on them from here on out. Best thing ever. Not only is it easier on the back, you don’t have as many weeds.
We also used chicken manure on one of the beds and all I can say is WOW! That bed has taken off and is so green and the veggies have grown so much larger. The zucchini plants are as tall as I am! Next year, we’ll use it on all the beds. Only have two and one plowed area with tomatoes and watermelons. Next year, I’m shooting for four raised beds and forgetting about the other plowed area.
Seems this is the year for plants. My mother gave me some and other friends have given me some and there are several at home I want to transplant to the cabin. My herb garden needs taming as the rosemary, spearmint, chocolate basil and oregano have taken over more space than necessary or needed.
Flowers at the main house have been spectacular this year as well. My roses have provided beautiful color for months now and the day lilies have kicked in, along with the hydrangea and other wildflowers. Don’t know why but my gardenia blooms much later than everyone else’s and it is my favorite. I love the fragrant blooms and it is just now blooming.
Our fig trees have finally taken off but there are only a few green figs here and there so far.
At the cabin, the prickly pear cactus have been blooming and they are a beautiful yellow. My bean plant is blooming and it is gorgeous, plus the blooms and the plant are totally edible. Haven’t tried it yet but have thought about it every time I pick lettuce or kale from the garden. No tomatoes yet and I am so looking forward to a fresh tomato from the garden. I’m the only one at the house who eats them so I get to keep them all to myself. If they all produced though, I will be sharing with friends, provided this heat doesn’t destroy them like it did my spinach.
We are having to water every day during this high heat and I am thankful that we are able to do so and the garden is not too big to water. I have a friend who has a really big garden, too big to water and he has said the heat has totally destroyed it. I truly hate it for him.
To everyone who has to be out in the heat, please be careful, drink plenty of fluids and take breaks regularly. Heat exhaustion is not fun at all.
We have actually set records for high heat this time of year. It’s certainly unusual to have 100 degree days in May. Looking at the weather for the next couple of weeks, there may be some rain next week and I pray that there is and enough to cool things down tremendously.
Hopefully, if you were off Monday, you remembered it was not just a three day weekend. Soldiers gave their lives so you could have a long weekend. Memorial Day remembers those who gave all to their country. We owe a debt of gratitude to their families left behind. Freedom is not free and we are losing that freedom every day. I saw a meme which read: The flag does not fly because of the wind but from the breath of those who gave their lives. How fitting.
Each man or woman who died while serving their country, had a family and had a life story. Some of them died trying to save others. All died trying to save our freedom. Thank God for those who still love our country enough to serve in the military. It’s not for everyone but to all those who choose to serve, I say a hearty thank you.
I saw on social media some people posting about honoring their servicemen and women and that’s fine but it’s more appropriate to honor them on veteran’s day unless they died in the service of their country. We need to keep the holidays separate and understand each one. We need to explain those differences to our children. Seems so much of history including the background on each holiday gets lost more with each generation.
My hat is off to teachers as I know first-hand some of the obstacles they face. However, I do wish our education system would get back to the basics and also teach home economics and how to balance a bank statement, how to garden and other necessary life skills. We were so focused on touting the need for a college degree that some of the trades are now suffering from not having people to fill those jobs.
A degree is wonderful, but going to college is also not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with learning a trade. Getting that piece of paper from college does not also mean you know anything in that field. It takes hands-on experience to learn a job and that comes from actually working on the job. ©2019

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com