All week, I've been afflicted with Garden Visit Anxiety Disorder, otherwise known as GVAD. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: Hives, and I don't mean the ones filled with honeybees. Wild hair caused by fists pulling it in dismay. Furious weeding, watering and feeding. No response to family members encouraging the sufferer to come in out of the heat. Stumbling around the paths muttering "Oh no!" Traveling to garden centers to purchase fresh plants. Garden fluffing then ensues. One cause for GVAD is a visit by Someone of Garden Importance. A SOGI (pronounced so-jee) is a lot like a VIP, but better. When a SOGI visits, the gardener knows she'll get more than "Oh, that's pretty," as said by the normal visitor or family member roped into looking at the garden yet again. Only a SOGI knows that after fifteen minutes of wading under overgrown climbing roses, you're only...

'Blue Lake' green beans I didn't plant green beans this year. However, I love them and have grown so many types, I've lost count. Green beans are an easy veggie crop in Oklahoma. Just plant them after the soil warms (greater than 55 degrees F; between April 10-30 according to the Oklahoma extension service.) Fifty to sixty days later, you'll have beautiful bean blossoms of white or lilac followed by beans. I've grown pole and bush beans, and I like bush beans best. It's just a personal preference like indeterminate versus determinate tomatoes. Pick the beans at medium size and cook them the same day or next. You'll be thrilled with the fresh taste. I love beans whether they're purple like 'Purple Queen' or yellow like 'Cherokee Wax.' I love them long and green like 'Jade,' or short and fat like 'Roma II.' Next year, I want to try the variety,...

Farmer's Market Baby Eggplant Halved, dusted, fried Velvet . . . On My Tongue My poetry for this month was delayed because of technical difficulties with Wordpress's picture uploading feature. Please forgive me, Carolyn Gail. If you'd like to read more musings, go to Sweet Home and Garden Chicago. It's a monthly game many of us play. You're welcome to play too. There is always more room.

Cukes and Onions On any given week during these hot summer days, you will find cucumbers and onions chilling in my refrigerator. I believe the original recipe was from my Grandma Nita, but it could have just as easily come from Granny Margaret, my maternal grandmother, who was also a great cook. Cucumber and Onions Three just plucked from the garden cukes One or two Vidalia or other sweet onions One cup of seasoned rice vinegar (I use Nakano.) ¾ cup of water 1 t. pepper ½ t. salt (if desired) Wash and dry cucumbers.Slice cucumbers into ¼ inch slices.Slice onions into ¼ inch slices.Sprinkle salt and pepper on top.Add vinegar and water.Stir.Cover and place in refrigerator. Also, if you need more vinegar and water to cover, just add them. It will be fine. Not much of a recipe really, but one my family holds dear. Other versions on the Internet...