I love when people leave their own little story or anecdote in the comments of my little online space here on the Internet. As Kate Morton wrote in The Clockmaker’s Daughter, “Stories have to be told or else they die.”
Here’s another true story for you. On the day I’m writing this, this is the third time in as many weeks that we’ve seen humpbacks while having our morning coffee.
At this time of year we always sit outside to enjoy our morning coffee. It’s quiet, except for the birds, including the neighbour’s rooster. Always a comforting way to begin the day. Most of the time, I check our narrow view to the sea with a healthy dose of frequency. It’s much less common to catch a glimpse of the humpback whales. Partly because they tend not to spend a lot of time in the channel we see from here, but also because there are more Orcas in these waters. The orcas are more visible since they tend to show off their large dorsal fin and will often be seen breaching, sometimes in play, sometimes while feeding. Whether we get a good clear view of the whales or simply a quick glance, I can’t begin to tell you how exhilarating it is. I always feel like a kid experiencing their first carnival each time I see a whale.
Story Two:
Every year during tomato season, I can’t help but be reminded of my dear mom. She always had a bountiful garden that included more tomato plants than she could ever use. From her I also learned to adore the scent of the tomato leaves. She’d take the leaves between her thumb and forefinger, gently squeeze, then lift those fingers to her nose. Oh that smell is a warm and loving reminder of my mom.
I’ve grown three tomato plants this year and only two of them have been what I’d consider abundant in their fruit. There truly is nothing like the taste of a home grown tomato. Nothing like it. Since it’s tomato season, and I always love trying new or different things, I’m going to make Mathildes Tomato Tart. It’s pretty enough to look at but it’s when you read what goes into it, that makes trying it so irresistible.
Soundtrack: Guy Clarke’s Home Grown Tomatoes
These are great Diane!!
Watching the the whales right from our lanai has been my very favourite thing to do whenever we’ve visited Hawaii over the past number of years. We’ve spent a lot of time leisurely scanning the waters for those telltale splashes, and it’s always a thrill whenever we spot a humpback. Oftentimes we’ll bring out the binoculars to get a better look, but sometimes the whales are so close to shore that we can just relax and enjoy the show as we sit and sip our coffees. What amazing creatures those whales are!
i can’t even imagine living near the sea, much less at a location where you spot whales. the exhileration, as you say, must be amazing. living the majority of my life in states that are landlocked, has not been my choice. i love the sea.
at least one of your plants must be, what has become in recent years, referred to as heirloom tomatoes. the one that isn’t pretty and perfectly round, but should have a lot of flavor and be juicy.
i can remember those mishapen types being crudely cut up and immediately devoured by our family of 7 when i was growing up. i also recall that my grandmother cut them in the thickest slices i’d ever seen and to me it was better than a steak.