Hindsight is 2020

The phrase "Hindsight is 2020" was never more meaningful than it is today, the 31st of December. If I had known what 2020 held, I would have hugged my family and friends a little longer and tighter that last time we were together. Along with the tough times, this year held some highlights and certainly some insights for me.

It was because of the threatening pandemic that I decided to fulfill a life-long dream and released my first novel Angel Wings.  I thought, "If not now, when?" I am so touched and grateful for the positive responses from my readers.

Another highlight was the assurance that my husband and I still love each other, even after spending much quality and quantity time together. We enjoy working and playing together. We were blessed with an abundant garden this year and were able to share the produce with family and friends.

I was thrilled to turn 65 this year! Some of our friends and my three children all stopped by throughout the day for physically distant visits and brought me presents. It was a beautiful fall day, and I am grateful for every day I am alive. 

Here's to 2021! I don't know what it will look like, but I do know I am going to make the most of every moment going forward! Happy New Year!

Adventures in Luffa Growing

 

Last summer, Blaine and I grew a luffa (loofah) plant. My sister Janie gave me the little green plant. It was about six inches tall, but when we put the little roots into our fertile soil, it took off like a race horse out of the gate. Tendrils clung to the woven wire fence as the vine grew...and grew...and grew, spreading out both ways from the root a total distance of about 30 feet. Bright yellow flowers bloomed along the way. Then the petals dropped off and tiny gourds appeared, soon growing into big ones. This little plant was thirsty; we sometimes watered it twice a day.

My research advises the time to harvest the gourds is before the frost, after they turn yellow, but only a few were yellow by the time it frosted. I picked the rest of the green gourds and hung them on a drying rack. When the gourds were ready, I banged them on a flat surface to loosen the seeds. I then peeled off the thick skin in strips. The most fun part of the harvest was shaking the loose seeds out of the gourds. Each little seed seemed to be encased in a cellophane wrapper, which dried and dropped off.

Now I have a pile of sponges to be used in a variety of ways. They can be used as a dish sponge or as a shower sponge, but more research warns that natural sponges may harbor bacteria, just like other sponges, and should be cleaned or discarded regularly. 

We saved several seeds and will probably plant some again next year, just because we enjoyed watching them grow.