Longing for Peaches

Florence Dunbar Tending the Garden by

Evelyn Dunbar (1938-1939) 

“The flavor the came to me was a luscious Sincerest peach that I once had in California. This heirloom variety needed time to ripen on the tree to achieve its peak flavor. Unlike other peaches that were picked unripe so they would ship more easily, Sincerest peaches had to be eaten right away. But they were worth it- fragrant, luscious, juice-dripping-down-your-chin perfection.” ~~ Judith M. Fertig, The Memory of Lemon

“Life is better than death, I believe, if only because it is less boring, and because it has fresh peaches in it.” ~~ Alice Walker, Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology


"The peach-bud glows, the wild bee hums, the wind-flower wave in gladness." ~~Lucy Larcom

Its a blue sky sunny day in March, but don't let that fool you into wearing a sweater and shorts.  It is in the high 30s.  By the time March rolls around in Ohio, I long for spring and the fruit of summer.  I was walking home from work this past week, and I noticed that the crocuses and daffodils leaves are pushing up out of the ground.   The effect inspired me to purchased tomato and pepper seeds to start in the house. Spring is coming.

A characteristic I share with Xi Wangmmu, we are gardeners.  Her garden is filled with peach trees; mine vegetables and raspberries.  Those who are gardeners carry similar characteristics.  We have patience to let a fruit ripen in the sun; can see patterns in the weather and try to understand what our plants may need to grow; and have a vision of what to outcome will be like--tasting a sun ripened tomato basil salad with mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  

~~~

The peach tree on the southern wall 
by Christina Rosetti (1830-1894)

The peach tree on the southern wall 
Has basked so long beneath the sun, 
Her score of peaches great and small 
Bloom rosy, every one. 
A peach for brothers, one for each, 
A peach for you and a peach for me; 
But the biggest, rosiest, downiest peach 
For Grandmamma with her tea

~~~

Chinese painting: peach blossoms

Artual (ART + Ritual)

Peach Blossom Song (Chinese Folk Song)
Arranged by Yoshiharu Morokuma