Why I Love July

My own tomatoes aren't quite ready yet so I decided to hie on over to the Blacksburg Farmer's Market this afternoon. The photo above shows a few of my purchases. I bought the zucchini because I planned to make a vegetable tart topped with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. After I got home I remembered that the oven on the new stove I bought doesn't work, and the store has yet to exchange it. A bit sad that my dinner would have to be something different, I dropped back and punted. I am, and always have been, a flexible sort. When things don't go as planned, I usually quickly adapt while maintaining my good humor.

I am a tomato fanatic and could eat at least one pound every single day. The only hitch is they have to be real tomatoes, not ones found in most grocery stores. Tonight I took one of the large pineapple tomatoes I bought at the Farmer's Market and made a caprese salad, one of my favorites. Tomorrow for lunch I'll feast on one of the Cherokee purples. The Brandywines won't be ready for another couple of weeks, but in my older years, I am patient. Most of life's pleasure comes from anticipation.

My own tomatoes are coming along. So far, I've harvested about a dozen Sungolds, not enough to do anything with except for pop them into my mouth and savor the sweet taste. Next year, I am going to grow tons of tomatoes in many different varieties. That way I can make and can spaghetti sauce. So, while it may be hot as blazes, a rarity for Blacksburg, I am loving July. You can find a place to park downtown because most of Virginia Tech's 28,000s students are gone for the summer. And there is a bounty to select from at the Farmer's Market.