As September comes to a close, I fear that doorknob veggie season has passed….
A wise man once asked me, “What do you call a person with no tomatoes in August?”
“Friendless,” he answered.

I am not a gardener. I do not have a green thumb. I have no inclination towards digging in the dirt.
Every August I cross my fingers in hopes that I have friends…
Friends with gardens, friends with green thumbs, friends inclined to dig in the dirt.
Friends who generously provide me with fresh-picked homegrown vegetables.
Tomatoes of all sizes! Peppers in a rainbow of colors!
Celery and onions and lettuce and garlic!
(But mostly tomatoes—no store bought produce tastes as delicious as homegrown tomatoes.)

BLT’s, fresh salsa, cooked salsa, pasta sauce, bruschetta, and salads, salads, salads!
I remember eating big round ripe tomatoes like apples when I was a kid. Take a bite, sprinkle some salt, consume—yum!
As an adult, I slice and sprinkle, then consume.
(I’m too old for chin drips and arm swipes.)
Those cherry tomatoes? Pop, pop, pop into my mouth like candy. Or crack.

Am I making you hungry? I’m making me hungry.

One of my gardening friends leaves me surprise deliveries in a grocery sack on my doorknob. He started a “doorknob veggie” tradition that I’m elated to say has lasted several years now. I tell ya’, there is nothing like pulling into the driveway after a long day of driving and meetings and seeing that glorious bag hanging fat and heavy. A little slice of nirvana, delivered. Manna from the god-dens.

Another veggie friend saves the plastic containers from store bought fruits and vegetables all year and then neatly packages her bounty to share. At first you think, what? Store bought? Cheater! But then you realize those addictive little tomatoes are in a raspberry box and you chuckle then devour.

Not to brag or anything, but I’m not friendless in October, either. Zucchini, gourds, pumpkins, squash… I am lucky to have such generous friends. I do realize they are happy to have someone to give it to. Even happier, I imagine, to have someone who appreciates their generosity SO MUCH!
Thank you, my friends, thank you.

<