hope is scented like
green tomatoes on the vine,
bitter and earthy
Copyright 2020 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: The battle for produce continues in my small garden. I’ve confirmed that both chipmunks and squirrels spend time in my garden, helping themselves to the tomatoes. They prefer the ripe ones, but they will nibble the green ones, too. If I chase them out, they chirp at me from the shrubbery, chiding and complaining. I tied bags around the tomatoes, but they have already pulled off or eaten through two bags. I sprayed the remaining bags with neem oil, cayenne pepper and peppermint. Cucumber beetles meanwhile are silent but deadly. Only one last cucumber remains.
Writing Tips: Don’t give up your dreams. Even if success seems remote and hope bitter (or devoured by squirrels), keep working toward your goals. I joined a critique group last month, and this month I signed up for a virtual conference to dust off my manuscripts. The scent may be bitter, but it’s the scent of growing things.
29 thoughts on “Hope is Green”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
“The scent may be bitter, but it’s the scent of growing things.”
Inspiring 👍
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Thank you. 🙂
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You are welcome 🧡
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
REMINDING ME OF MY PARENTS CANNING GREEN TOMATO MINCEMEAT!
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Green tomatoes have value!
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THEY SURELY DO!!!!!
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FRIED GREEN TOMATOES-?
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A fascinating movie that made me think of BBQ in a completely new way. 🙂
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I initially watched it for the steam train, but stayed for the story.
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This is wonderful! I love that hope has a scent with some heft to it.
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I think it does. A scent that can fill the world with new possibilities.
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Lovely and what an different vision of hope. ❤
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Thanks!
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♡ Good
…♡♡♡…
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Thanks.
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Our garden has been decimated by critters this year. I think it’s the heat. We’ve never had problems with them before, but this year, a lot of their normal food sources are dried-up.
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That makes sense. I hadn’t thought about that. The trees are really suffering, too. Many are already changing color, and it’s two months too soon.
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Lovely and bittersweet haiku Brenda-good luck with those veggies. I’ve had rabbit problems in my garden and now have wire screening up to keep them out, but something always wants a part of it… Happy to hear about your critique group and writing! 😘
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We put up chicken wire to keep out the rabbits, but nothing keeps out chipmunks.
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Sorry to hear that, I guess I’m lucky we don’t have any chipmunks, but we’ve lots of rabbits and squirrels…
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The chipmunks literally spend all their time in there, munching away. Sigh. I wonder what they eat when I don’t grow tomatoes…
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Everyone I know is having the same problem this year. Indoor windowsills are full of green tomatoes, saved from tiny teeth and claws.
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Yes, I have a big paper bag with a banana in it for ripening. Works like a charm.
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happy for you, and such an apt metaphor
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Thanks, Beth. 🙂
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succinct and resonant! 🙂 May I share this poem on a site of mine..
full credit given, of course!
Cheers.
Anthony
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Sure, thanks!
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Great! Shared here:
https://grumpysgiftspoetry.org/2020/08/17/hope-is-green-brenda-davis-harsham-of-friendly-fairy-tales/
Thanks for sharing your words. 🙂
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Great site, GrumpyGorman. Sadly, I wasn’t able to like or comment. I have cookie issues that I can’t seem to fix.
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