PHOTO: Mary van Balen No, not a “lousy T-shirt.” While admitting to a bit of beach envy, I was happy to receive the bounty of my brother-in-law’s garden and produce from their refrigerator which would not last the week. Michael’s homegrown eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes inspired me to create my own ratatouille this morning. I threw in some zucchini, onion, garlic, and fresh basil and thyme snipped in the rain from my potted herb garden.
Not only do I have lunch and dinner for a couple of days, I have an apartment filled with the earthy aromas of fresh vegetables and herbs. A perfect compliment to a grey, rainy morning.
With food prepared, the remainder of my day is free for writing, prayer, and errands that pile up waiting for a day off. As I go about my work the fragrance earth’s bounty will tease my appetite and the words of the Psalmist will fill my heart:
Bless the Lord, my soul!
Lord God, how great you are,
clothed in majesty and glory,
wrapped in light as in a robe!…
You founded the earth on its base,
to stand firm from age to age.
You wrapped it with the ocean like a cloak:
the waters stood higher than the mountains.
At your threat they took flight;
at the voice of your thunder they fled.
They rose over the mountains and flowed down
to the place which you had appointed.
You set limits they might not pass
lest they return to cover the earth….
From your dwelling you water the hills;
earth drinks its fill of your gift.
You make the grass grow for the cattle
and the plants to serve our needs,
that we may bring forth bread from the earth
and wine, to cheer our hearts;
oil, to make our faces shine
and bread to strengthen our hearts…
I will sing to the Lord all my life,
make music to my God, while I live.
May my thoughts be pleasing to God.
I find my joy in the Lord….
Bless the Lord, my soul.
from Psalm 104
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