I love the kind of Sunday where, after church, all I need to think about is what we're going to eat for lunch. Then, it's out to the garden to pull a few weeds, take a photo or two, and gaze about at the fruitfulness of late summer. The insects aren't sleeping though. They are as busy as, well . . . bees. Bumblebees anoint Gaillardias. Orange and yellow butterflies cover the Zinnias and the Phlox paniculata. Does anyone know which butterfly this orange one is? I have them everywhere right now. The most popular flowers by far are the Zinnias, Z. elegans. Of course, with Zinnias, you get powdery mildew. If it gets bothersome, spray it with a natural fungicide like copper. I think it's a small price to pay for butterfly visits. This afternoon, Bear and I saw a hummingbird too. The one missing winged player is the...

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.