Summer Reflections

Another summer has come and gone . . . 

Paradise still remains like a jungle.

Of major note . . . the lime tree that was a memorial gift from JR's aunt when he died started producing very tasty and juicy limes that we have really enjoyed in cooking and sharing with others.  It is still putting out limes like crazy.  After waiting so many years for it to produce fruit, it was almost like JR was sending a message that he is smiling from heaven as new love bloomed and a new life has begun with my new husband, The Captain.

The grasshoppers invaded the Paradise with a vengeance . . . and they are still here.  Honestly, I don't know how anything survived as they devoured and chewed up leaves of most of our plants.  

We managed to get some tomatoes from our tomato plants, but all in all, that endeavor was disappointing.  Guess we started too late for optimum performance and didn't start them from seed.  They were not super healthy from the start and the grasshoppers put a dent in fruit production despite our attempts at spraying with our organic concoctions.  They were pulled up a few weeks ago :(

We did grow some awesome hot peppers that have continued to produce those hot and spicy treasures.  Hot pepper plants are one thing that we have been able to grow with no problem in our area . . . they thrive!

The basil is barely making it . . . 

the rosemary didn't last long, it died a quick death.

However, it has been a summer of health problems, in and out of hospitals with several members of the family and we got married . . . gardening became a low priority as the heat and humidity rose and health problems made it impossible to spend quality time in the garden.

We look forward to better health, cooler temps and quality time to start over again soon . . . especially with tomatoes, peppers and herbs.  Hopefully we will finally make it to the back yard that was Paradise turned into a jungle littered with fallen limbs and weeds the summer storms encouraged.  However, since most of the world has experienced devastating weather, we are grateful that we are still high and dry in Paradise.