For the past few days, my wonderfully supportive husband has been holding down the fort at home while I've been in Wisconsin taking care of my 94-year-old Grandma. She is sharp as a tack -- has a memory better than mine -- but needs some help with meals and that kind of thing. For the past couple of years, her children and grandchildren have taken turns moving into her house to take care of her. I'm taking a week-long shift and I'm glad to have the chance to spend some "quality time" with her.Grandma's beloved father, known to us as Big Bob, was a gardener. In fact, one of his first jobs after he immigrated from Scotland was in Rochester, in the home of George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Company. (His home and gardens were renovated several years ago, and are a great place to visit in Rochester. My son takes music lessons near there, and sometimes I'll walk Charlie in the gardens and think about Big Bob.)
Anyway, Grandma lives in the house that was her parents' house, and as a result of Big Bob's legacy, the property has two large vegetable gardens, as well as raspberry bushes, grape vines, and a large apple tree (all maintained by my Uncle Bob -- fitting huh?).
Yesterday Uncle Bob decided that was the day to put the garden to bed. I helped him harvest all the remaining vegetables and then pull out the plants and load all the stuff into his truck for disposal. It was hard work -- I can feel it in my arms and legs! I have a greater appreciation for all of his hard work in that yard.
When we were done, there was a bounty of veggies -- this picture is about half of what we harvested. We've pawned off some veggies on a few of Grandma's friends, as well as a friend of mine who visited today. But there's a long way to go, and I don't want to see all of this good stuff wind up in the trash. As a result, I am cooking like crazy to try to use it up. Will be back with some of the results of my efforts within the next day or so.