Rain,rain. Fiercely beautiful. The bahia grass forest waves its 60's peace sign stalks in every thunderstorm.Indiana Jones like, I part the forest and head over to the raised beds. E's peppers are big and beautiful. Her garden is a testament to disease resistant cultivars. Her sunflowers tower over my 5'8 self.

My heirloom okra has shouldered to the top of the "rain forest" also. It is a testament to right plant, right place. Six seeds planted at the same time and one of them looks like Arnold Swartznegger and one is definitely Woody Allen. My southern self begins to dream of pickled okra re Martha.

I love cooking in honor of my own communion of saints. Belgium beef stew always invokes Antoine; mullet dip is the R. clan ; pickled okra is Martha.

Hard to believe I am home. Oregon seems to be another planet,one in which everyone gardens, there are farmers markets on every corner, and bicycles are a very real form of transport.( I also saw a crystal dog biscuit dish out on the corner for canine passersby.)

During my absence, N.Florida put on its rainy face. As a result, the bahia grass is knee high and the cardinal vines go for the throat if one stands still. I found a giant cucumber, a good green pepper and five Juliet tomatoes in the roiling mass of weeds that has covered my garden during my ten day vacation. A Polish friend of mine is fond of saying, " The best fertilizer for the garden in the shadow of the gardener." Well, no shadow of mine has fallen on my plot for over two weeks and things are growing apace.

Luckily, the ag agent from my alma mater UofF, has sent out a gentle reminder that July , August and September are our snowbound equivalent. Nothing much grows so we should get seed catalogues and dream.

I think it was the hubris. I've taught enough Greek mythology to know that as soon as the mortals become proud of something, the gods are wont to throw a bolt in their direction. My bolt was the size of my thumb, green with red horns. An obese serpent in the garden. Yes, I confess, I was proud of my German heirloom tomatoes....all three of them. I confess, I photographed the eating of the first one and actually videotaped the eating of the second one.Was I going to cast the third one in a major feature film? No chance now. The giant green horn worm encircled the vine, opened its maw and chomped. Thank heavens for Luke. He identified it and shook it off the vine into the bucket of water. Am I truly organic if I kill critters? Yes,according to the sacred texts, I can dispatch without poisons and still keep my seat at the organic table.

Folks are generally appalled that my seven veggie beds are tied together with great green swaths of grass. I explain that I do not water or fertilize the swaths. After the one two punch of hurricanes Frances and Jean, I let the St. Augustine die horribly. No water, no fertilizer. In its place I put the old highway grass Bahia which requires no water and no fertilizer.Landscapers hate it because it produces peace signs quickly, lots of them waving in the wind. I don't mind. I take my sling blade and wack them down. This has the fortunate by-product of keeping my upper body in sleeveless garb long after I should be able to wear such fashion items.

And, I confess, there is that one brief moment when the grass has just been clipped and the beds edged to perfection. Mallory the Wonder Cat and I stroll in the last light enjoying our land. Then, of course, she darts off to bring a lizard to feline justice.

Third day in a row for big ploppy drops. The rain gauge ( aka plastic shoebox) says over an inch. Everything looks happy. The Bahia grass looks especially happy and has thrown up hundreds of its peach sign seed heads. The beans are up in the newest garden. Those folks( E&L) really know how to plant.

I purchased six white/green caladiums for show around the gate. Also, some bright yellow portulaca. Love the way its neon yellow flowers pop out when exposed to sunlight. Planted the mounds of mysterious border grass that appeared on the bottom step. I wonder who my border grass benefactor might be?