TAKE ONE
I bought a half share in a CSA this summer. CSA stands for community supported agriculture, and the program supports small area farms, which deliver shares of produce at a drop-off point each week during the growing season. Usually starts out rather thinly with lettuce, parsley and radishes, then you get overwhelmed with tomatoes and squash at some point: whatever the local farmer is able to grow. This particular farm I signed up with has really stood out, starting off the season with strawberries and asparagus, and currently having a lavish hand with the sweet corn and melons, and even a few peaches! And all organic. Nicole, at whose house we pick up our shares, has a wonderful sense of whimsy in the way she presents our weekly bounty.

Of course, since I only bought a half-share I had to take a knife to one of these beautiful little melons. It split evenly at the first stab, with a satisfying crack, revealing the juicy glory within. Next year, a full share for sure!

TROPICAL
Other than the bananas of course, I am often baffled by the array of tropical, exotic fruits at our local supermarket. Baskets of starfruit and zebrafruit, heaps of lumpy things that are mysteriously nameless. I guess they are all contenders in a big game of "Which onetime exotic fruit will become a staple?" This is probably a perpetual battle for supremacy: after all, the common tomato was once seen as exotic and believed to be poisonous. Now I often buy kiwi and mangoes, but I do remember years ago standing in a supermarket aisle by a big kiwi display and asking someone, "How would I peel this thing? And why would I want to?"

DEAD COMPUTER
My iMac G5 died in its sleep yesterday. Went to do some work but it had stopped "breathing" and wouldn't wake up, er, start. I'd be crushed except that Paul's identical computer died in similar circumstances a few weeks ago, and he swears it can be fixed. And most importantly, that my thousands of photo files are still there. Well, I certainly hope so. But maybe I'd better start shooting some film again from time to time, to be on the safe side!

Anyway, I put the "dead body" in a bag and brought it downtown to the Computer Hospital. Here's hoping! If it does come back alive, I will name it Lazarus.

WHITE VIOLETS
In the spring we have almost a small meadow of them in one particular spot in our garden. Makes me wonder what is perhaps buried beneath. But I don't really want to know, I just want to enjoy their fleeting beauty and faint fragrance. This is for PhotoFriday's challenge "Violet".

TOAD ENTERTAINMENT TEAM
H and his friend M caught a big old toad yesterday. They were filled with delight, shrieked for me to come see, then they sat entranced, just staring at it for a time. Then, "When is it going to DO something?" I convinced them they wouldn't be able to train it to do tricks, and that we should put it back approximately where they found it. I thought this would be anti-climactic, but with the resilience of unspoiled eight year olds this was just another chapter in the Toad Adventure. Throughout the afternoon I was treated to periodic updates on the movements of the toad. "Now it has moved UNDER the hedge!" "We saw it BREATHE!" etc etc...The result of our severe TV limiting perhaps. Everything is interesting.

HISTORIC CORRIDOR
just off Elfreth's Alley. I must own up to being one of those incredibly lax people who, because I live practically on top of famous national historic sites, rarely if ever bother to visit them. Last week I had to go down to my gallery in Old City to drop off some paintings, and H had to come with me (it is the summer of NO CAMP.) To sweeten the errand I rashly promised him we'd stop off at either the Fireman's Museum or else the Philadelphia Art Museum on the way home. But of course, it was a Monday and somewhere en route I realized (with that peculiar sinking sensation you get when you realize you are about to disappoint someone) that both musuems would be shut. Oh dear. Fortunately, the gallery is located right next to a great coffee shop/used bookstore. Lorraine, the gallery's director and one of the kindest people on earth, took us both next door for coffee and treats. One block on the other side is Elfreth's Alley, a historic landmark street that I had never once bothered to walk down before. But H and I went there right after our caffeine and book re-fueling. The alley really is a lovely little place, and gives off an almost eerie feeling of stepping into an otherworld.

HOME GROWN
We had our first home grown tomato of the season just a few days ago. I was thrilled and, of course, had to take its picture. It was delicious sliced up, still warm from the hot day, with some Valentino basil (also home grown and just-picked) and a freshly made balsamic vinaigrette. The very flavor of summer to me. Of course this is an individual flavor icon. To some people the quintessential taste of summer might be a dripping slice of watermelon, or perhaps an orange creamsicle straight from the ice cream truck. This would be an interesting subject for a big fat Coffee Table Book, wouldn't it? Lots of luscious photos and mouth-watering text. Send me a contract and I'll get right on it!

RED COMPLEXITY
One thing about having a kid with special needs is that you spend a lot of time driving to meetings at various beaurocratic offices, waiting in dingy waiting rooms, and signing sheaves of paper. Then what often happens is that they call you the next day and say, "Wait! We forgot one crucial piece of paper. Can't fax it. You must come back and sign it in person." So back you have to go.

And one nice thing about bringing your camera with you on such life-diminishing errands of tedium is that you can get something positive for yourself out of it. Like this. Saw the truck, grabbed for the camera and shot blind as the light changed.

GREEN WATER
as we headed for the shallows in the lake late afternoon. I liked the abstract pattern, the subtly highlighted ripples on the surface and the green glow beneath, with the pattern of lake weeds somewhere inbetween.

VACATION
An idyllic moment during our recent family vacation in Wisconsin. It was too good a trip in some ways. Coming home to instantly revived demands, stresses, obligations and duties really threw me for a loop for a bit. Thanks to everyone who noticed the long gap between posts and wrote to me: I am now back in the swim. But not, I hope, about to be caught and fried in butter for breakfast!