As the summer comes to the days of gathering, I think of how the seasons progress, with little thought or control or planning by humans. The days progress at a steady pace and worrying about the speed of tomorrow accomplishes nothing.
It is fascinating to think about how other living things grow. Tomatoes on the vine have no concern for yesterday or tomorrow. They are not thinking beings and yet they are able to follow the schedule that allows growth and maturity without thought. Humans are caught in the thinking web....always planning...so we can enjoy...and sometimes we are so wrapped in the planning and creating the 'perfect' NOW that we miss the NOW that is already here.
We harvest in preparation for survival of the winter. Some species lie dormant in the winter in order to survive, some live only for a season and then scatter their seeds. Others prepare for the harsh times by storing that which they may need. How many of us spend a long time preparing for the event that we never have. I know I do. I created a deck on the back of my house to entertain. I paint it and maintain it so that I am ready to entertain at a moment's notice. I bought 3 tables and chairs.... I have umbrellas and cushions... but how many times do I use it? Sometimes I think that I spend more time in the preparation than in the actual entertaining....
The fruits of the season are to be enjoyed...whether it is actually inviting folks to sit on the deck and make themselves comfortable or whether it is just living in the moment as I savor that tomato from the plant that I planted in the Spring. Harvest time is a good time to think about what we should be storing and why...and whether we should live in the NOW or prepare for the future. I think that some of both is a good approach. Personally, I have to guard against too much preparing and learn to live more in the moment...so, bring on the peaches and the tomatoes...I am ready to savor the moment.
