A Little Radish Tale

It was one of those enchanted mornings…

      

 

Where you are almost certain you can see fairies through the leaves.  Water from a burst irrigation hose shoots into the air melodically, under a giant apricot tree.  It has all sorts of creatures gathering…

  

 

There is such beauty, where water meets light at just the perfect moment…

       

 

Yes yes, I am certain I see fairies, don't you?  Dancing in the mist…

       

 

The smell of water soaking plants and dirt in Arizona, where it is always so dry, is mouth watering.  It is this fresh earthy smell.  It draws you in, it does…  

Rabbit and pup noses come alive.

  

 

There are some ground vines that grow on their own, that when sprinkled with water, smell the way honey and lavender taste when swirled together…

I have been cutting sunflowers to add to my fresh flower vase for two weeks.  I love to have fresh flowers in my home and luckily, Mister Lovee brings some home once or twice a week.  Although, I also delight in visiting the florist and having flowers wrapped up in old fashioned paper bundles.

 

 

There are about 15 more sunflowers waiting to show their faces.  I can't believe how big those little dinky sproutlings have gotten…

  

 

I know people grow things every day, in massive amounts even.  But in dry Arizona, for me to grow green lushness in my garden tickles me so, I can't even tell you.

I stroll around, excited for fresh lemons.  I will make lemon curd like last year.  It was a hit with Mister.  I think it is so great that he adores custards and puddings.  It pushes me to experiment and create creamy treats…

       

 

There is one lemon that is so amusing.  It never grew more than the size of a walnut.  And, it is ripe and ready to be picked…

  

 

I have been asking Mister for 10 years if I could grow a vegetable garden, and have it be protected.  Year after year, I plant a few things and lose them to the rabbits.  Mister seemed to hear me, but just shrugged his shoulders in a way.  Seemingly not too interested in the endeavor of a protected vegetable garden.

This August, as I have said many time before (not to bore you or anything), I planted some random seeds.  Cantaloupe, sunflower, pumpkin, radish and others (even though it was the wrong time of the year for planting).

They all sprouted very quickly, and I had about ten patches of earth that looked like this…

  

 

As you know, one funny little rabbit gobbled it all up, which was fine.  However, there was one lone radish plant that survived.

It lives under the lemon tree.

Safe and sound it grew and grew…

      

 

So, I wondered, when will I know it is ready?  I got on my knees, and moved some of the dirt and mesquite leaves, only to find…

       

 

One perfect radish.

Ready to be picked. 

Can you imagine my reaction to such a find?

Grown from one little radish seed.

 

 

Just like that, I made a decision, while Mister looked on from his cozy little spot on the porch sofa (yes he has a little sofa on the porch, tee hee).

Out of the ground he came…

 

 

Perfection.

       

 

I skipped about singing, "I grew a radish, I grew a radish."

In that moment, I found myself in the realization of how curious my life has been.  It's not that I am naive or childish in an immature way.  I was a serious business woman, with many many stressful responsibilities in my life.  I worked incredibly hard to be able to leave my job at 30 and find my way to this humble art place.

A simple place, where one radish can breathe the epitome of life, and gratefulness…

      

 

Growing things.

Amazing.

And what greatness I find in a lone radish.  I can't believe I take bunches of radishes for granted, passing by them in the store, as if bunches of radishes are meaningless…

  

 

I shall never again, look at a radish in the same way…

       

 

Just like, Little Radish Head gets a bath and is then sliced.  Mister and I share…

  

 

A tinge of kosher sea salt to taste.  We both make faces at each other as we chew.  Then we both say the same thing – "That is the most tender, mild and delightful radish I have ever tasted."

  

 

There is something indescribable about having only one of something.  Or, about having to make the best of what you have to work with.  That is what drew me to this place in the country.  Setting the table in the garden 10 years ago with found fabric and vintage jars used to hold weedling flowers as a center piece.  Mango salsa and salmon on the grill, while Mister played his guitar…

That is how a love I never knew existed found me.  Not just a love with another person, but love itself.  

A reminder of those days-

       

 

And that, I am still in the thick of those days.  

I am so grateful.

It has been a glorious journey.  Ups and downs and all arounds…  

With the downs you enjoy the ups all the more.

I type and listen to a very beautiful and subdued version of one of my favorite songs.  I open the door to my office to let in a little warmth.  We are back into the 80's F during the day.

As I open the door I am greeted.  I sigh a bliss sigh.  Is it that life really is this good, or more than that - is it the gift of recognition & appreciation of the little things? 

      

 

Which truly matter more than anything.

 

 

I go outside to pet my pups and stretch.  I find Mister Lovee in the garden, drawing one of his plans on white paper.  I have to show you his drawings he makes before building or creating.  They are marvelous (to me at least)…

He sees me and says, "Hey Dove, let me show you something here…"

He shows me a little enclosed vegetable garden plan he was drawing up.

It was the Little Radish Head that convinced him.  Tender and sweet.

Funny little world.

  

 

And just like that, we step into a new week.  Thank you for sharing it with me, and being a major part of this little world here.

🖤,V

ps:  I am waiting for new Holiday cards for the shop, to arrive this week 😉