This past week started the first day of summer and the only dew point in sight is the sweat you're producing! Putting all kidding aside the desert, as all of Arizona, is in a state of shock - a state of emergency. Temps are running high - even the climate seems unusually hot for this time of the year, sorry - I did say putting all kidding aside - ;) With temperatures climbing, winds with gusts that seem to be common place this year and NO RAIN in sight! - People are on short fuses! Hundreds of acres have been lost, homes lost, but not lives; Thank you Jesus! Some northern towns had been temporary ghost towns and as
fires continue to burn - the state is in trouble. We are praying and hoping for rain, monsoons don't seem to be close at all in coming. It's so dry even cactus's are struggling, many are dying. Except for the picture at the right (a
Spanish Bayonet) the only taste of "spring" we had is our garden and the trees we have; all of which are requiring care. We did loose a tree or two but that was due to a freak winter freeze. Two are coming back; though Dad had to cut down a lot of limbs. It looks like a battle ground out there instead of the nicely kept property I had worked so very hard on. :( The garden has become my little "get a way" while that's until it starts to heat up.
People everywhere have been suffering with some type of weather or climatic something. Loosing homes or lives. Are we experiencing the birthing pangs as describe in the Bible?
"For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs." Mark 13:8
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| Walla Walla's |
The garden has been work especially in the hot dry conditions but not unprofitable. Last Friday, after Googling, I found out that many of my Walla Walla sweet onions were ready for harvesting. I was so excited I pulled up around 15-20 onions - various sizes; delicious! (Almost all harvested now).
I can't get over how easy to grow. As mentioned before, gardening in the desert is a learning process. I also have to say that I don't know which is easier, gardening in a dry climate or humid. Both the soils need amending. [The picture at the right isn't the best - it was taken with my phone].
When I think of famines and in this uncertain economy - it's so important to be prepared. That's one of the reasons our son got our garden going and I'm thankful he did. There wouldn't have been time to start it on my own. We have been able to save some money (aside for amending the soil) and will be able to reap benefits over a period of time once it really gets going. The benefits of a garden isn't just saving money you are eating the best. A garden will help through tough times not to mention being able to help others in need. You don't need a lot of space for one and you can do container gardening that does work well. Though keep in mind there is Senate Bill 510 that would make it illegal to grow, share or trade any and all of what you produce. It hasn't been passed yet and sounds like something out of a scary flick but nothing has been surprising me the past few years. My husband tells me all the time "he's glad we're living on God's economy!" I am also.
Anyway, keeping ever busy, pray for rain to quench this dry desert and for it to do a little drying up in other parts~ Vicky
