“Today was lonely. Usually I have many visitors, but today…no one came to visit. I am quite the wonderful host. I am very friendly; almost 700 friends are connected to me. Although, my best friend is Mr. Des M. River, you can stand, bounce, jump, ride, and sit on me. Even your dog poops on me and I don’t get angry. There used to be coal mining around here, but that stopped a long time ago. So, that can’t be it.  I offer a great view. You can see Highway 210 bridge from my front porch. Maybe no one can hear me because I stand 13 stories tall and am 2,530’ long? Or, maybe people are afraid of heights?”

Hey, Mister?

“Yes?”

“Maybe it isn't you! Maybe it's the party upstairs dropping water all over us.”

High Trestle Trail and Bridge, Madrid, Iowa

Crossing the bridge on bikes, in the middle of a rainstorm, with nowhere to go except through it or ahead of it. Pure misery.

There is no turning back now!

On a different, less dark, day. Absolutely beautiful!

  

Hwy 270, I believe

Whoever said, “Best things come to those who wait,” was clearly NOT a gardener.

I do not remember seeing him actually planting onions, garlic, beets, radishes, celery, or carrots. All I remember is holding his hand while he led me through a fully grown, healthy, vegetable garden. My Grandpa’s rule of thumb of when to plant a garden was just after Mother’s Day weekend (I also don’t remember this, but my Grandma reminded me.)

Well, it is June. We are closer to Father’s Day now than to Mother’s Day. And, the 2013 garden has yet to be planted. (Can you sense my angst?)

Same time last year, just about the entire State of Iowa experienced drought conditions. With 90-degree heat waves, farmers found their crops growing substantially faster than usual (some managed to get two cycles of crops in one summer because of the hot, sunny spring, summer, and fall.)

This spring is a complete reversal from last year and a distinct divergence from the norm. Instead of drought conditions, we are swimming. Similar to 2008 and 2010, the State of Iowa is experiencing flooding conditions once again. Labeled as the wettest Spring on record, the ground is saturated and the worms are growing fins (I kid) and, yours truly is antsy. Similar to “Are we there yet? How much longer? I have to go to the bathroom? I’m thirsty.” I am even annoying myself. However, after constant reassurance and some research, it seems not all is lost.

According to Renee’s Garden, many wonderful foods can be planted late spring/early summer:

.cucumbers .beans .edamame .summer .winter squashes .pumpkins .melons .beets .carrots .chard .scallions .salad mix .braising mix .mild mustards .stir-fry mix or .any of mesclun blends .basil .marjoram .chives .oregano .thyme .sage

And, apparently, there is some benefit to planting a garden in the late spring/early summer. Garden pests typically found in the spring, cabbage worms and squash vine borers, are less of a problem late in the season (though the other day, I accidentally dug up a disgusting grub—man, those suckers are gross! Thank goodness, I was wearing gloves!) And, the ground is warmer, so fear of frost is nil to none.

With this new information, my only recourse is to wait...patiently...with my head resting on my hand...peering longingly at an empty lot...with puppy eyes...sighing...

Instead of the garden, here are a few pictures of crab apple trees from Water Works Park, Des Moines, Iowa.

2013 Water Works Park, Des Moines, Iowa

Crab Apple Trees