August and the Summer Kitchen
Life is a constant flow from season to season. Seasons of plenty and seasons of scarcity. Seasons of rest and seasons of productivity. Seasons of babies and seasons beyond.
August and much of July have proven to be a season of survival for us. We are in what I am calling "the hot winter" which is opposite in temperature but similar in consequences to the very cold winters I knew my whole life. Instead of bundling up for short spurts in a 40 degrees below zero scenario here we stay out of the sun and just try to keep everyone hydrated and alive on these 105 degree afternoons.
And, much like my beloved motherland, almost nothing in the garden survives these few months.
I know 105 sounds insane, especially to my northern friends and family (who, ahem, know I don’t like the heat), and there’s no denying that it is hot. But, like anything else, you just deal with it. You soak your shirts in water for sleeping. You drink lots of water and some electrolytes. You are thankful for every breeze that comes your way. And once you’ve had a heat exhaustion/stroke incident (whoops) you learn to slow it down a notch. You’ll battle the elements anywhere, it’s just a matter of what elements you’re dealing with.
What has sprung from this season of survival is a beautiful summer kitchen area. Our cabin has two windows, neither of which are anywhere near the inside kitchen area.
So one day Stewart built a table for us (better than flowers and chocolate, my friends), then some friends let us borrow their propane cook stove, and then last week this beauty was put in…
After washing dishes in a small camper sink for the past ten months I am totally smitten with this sink and its ability to fit an entire mixing bowl into its depths. Plus if I take a few steps to my right I have a great view into the kitchen garden area (notice the lack of green life)…
But, despite the heat, the show must go on as they say. So we do chores in the morning or late evening. Fencing is slowly getting put up and firewood is beginning to stack up for the winter.
.jpg)
Seeds are being saved for next year and stock is being made to nourish bellies.
The little miss now has her very own bed (and we have a little more room in ours).
To everything there is a season indeed.
Shannon, you are a tough cookie! May you find new strength and greater character through these high temps and their corresponding challenges.
So, my husband has had dreams of living more selfsufficient lives, including off off the grid. I tell him I wouldnt choose it.
Looking at your current situation, I can say I’m not further drawn to it. What makes you love it and choose it? Or do you more live in a mode of survival?
I should say that when we lost our power recently in No. VA and temps were in 100s it was quite an adventure and I kept a positive attitude for my kids (more positive than in the day to day). I was telling my husband, who was away for work, that it was good for us.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Many blessings,
Glory
I agree. You are one tough cookie. The fact that you have gotten this far and not given up shows you can do it. What you have dealt with only makes you stronger. I don’t like the hot temps and this summer has been hot! I want to live a more sustainable life but I know we will never go off off grid. I’m not sure I can go that far, but I think we can do better. I write this as I sit in my air conditioned home. The thermostat is set at 80, but it’s been too hot and humid to turn off even at night. I am not looking forward to seeing the electric bill. I look forward to reading more from you.
I’ll third the “tough cookie” kudos. Here in Indiana we’re dealing with record temps and drought, but 105 outside is the highest it’s gotten.And we have AC and a cool basement to escape to. Do the boys where long-sleeved shirts in all weather? I’m assuming this is standard in the community where you life, but I was just curious. The kitchen, by the way, looks great.
Hey there!
I just wanted to pass on a bit of information that I found this year. I live in Las Vegas, where the temps were a regular high of 110+. So that definitely makes gardening difficult. I am not sure what gardening techniques you have been using, but these websites definitely have me excited to try something new!!
The first one is here
http://www.roughingitblog.com/garden/hugelkultur-and-gardening-in-dry-areas/
” Simply put, you bury wood and plant stuff in the dirt above it. The wood acts as a sponge and collects and holds water, and the roots of the plants are able to draw this water up for their use. ”
And here is the second one
http://www.valhalla-project.com/2012/01/from-africa-to-valhalla-keyhole-garden.html?m=1
Keyhole gardens actually originated in Africa. They don’t use much water, which is nice, and the also self fertilize.
I don’t know if you’ll be able to grow enough of anything to have a bumper crop, but I am hoping this helps!!!
– Jessie
By the way, you are definitely a tough cookie. 😀
I agree with everyone above — you are definitely a tough cookie! I admire your fortitude, and I always look forward to your beautifully written and illustrated updates. Like Glory, the first commenter, I live in the mid-Atlantic area where we’ve recently had power outages and unusually high temperatures. I’m now all the more conscious of our extreme dependence on the grid and how woefully unprepared we are for any loss of power. This weekend I’m going to check if your site has links to sources of info about solar power for small appliances, such as you mentioned using (in a prior post). Some congregations in our area cancelled Sunday services because of the conditions. My neighbor belongs to a church that has no natural light or ventilation in the auditorium-like room where services are held. It had never occurred to me that a church’s interior being inhospitable (or even unbearable) without power could complicate gathering with fellow parishioners during a crisis.
I hope Jessie’s gardening ideas will be helpful for you.