On this Harvest Moon we gathered; we gathered our party gear, our blessings, our open arms for new friends and raise our glasses to the bounty, color, the unyielding wealth and gifts of this year’s growing season, to health, to our community, to strength and support and to the balance.
“The distance between us is holy ground
To be traversed feet bare,
Arms raised in joyous dance
So that it is crossed.
And the tracks of our pilgrimage shine in the darkness
To light our coming together
In a bright and steady light.”― Raphael Jesus Gonzales
(thank you Isaac)
This season has not come to completion enough to reflect on it as if it were not still in the present. As I write, there are still plants growing in their loamy beds, their green leaves waving to neighbors across the way, moving in conversation like that of my Italian Grandmother’s. There are rows of new crops that love the open star nights of autumn and rows of crops dying, drying to golden hews, dissolved images of plants crisp, yet holding within rattling pods their genetic wealth to be expressed in future generations, future seasons.
It’s hard to resist reflections. This is time of year the harvest moon rises. The sun, persistently warm, supervises the cusp of summer and fall harvest. Tomatoes still ripen on the vine, peppers marble to mature colors, lemon cucumbers relentlessly populate under dense canopies, all in tandem with crops ready to be cured for winter. Winter squash vines die back with stems becoming hard and corky. The onions have been pulled and set to develop papery skins, booking them for storage success.
It is also during this time of year where I feel I can start coming up for longer breaths of air. Not to my surprise, but always to my deep gratitude I’m welcomed by a song of love and support by the most amazing community of people; who have been the driving force and foundation of my focus and fortitude.
**THE FIRST ANNUAL HOMEWARD BOUNTY HARVEST GATHERING**
This past Sunday marked a special event, the First Annual Homeward Bounty Harvest Gathering! It was a magical night, luminated under a crystalline Harvest Moon and hosted on the soil that gave and grew so much. A lovely meal was shared with friends of the farm, family and CSA members. The afternoon and night was pure perfection!
Oh, what a gorgeous post Kate, and what lovely photos of your party. I am so SO proud of you and all you’ve accomplished. I wish I could have been there, it looks like a dreamy night.
Thanks Ashley – I was thinking of you the whole night – what your camera could have captured and what joy and giggles you would have added! Wish you lived closer so I could share this year’s great bounty with you and Justin.
I agree! Beautiful post Kate. Your writing is really lovely. That looked like an amazing evening.
Thanks Justin! You two foodies would have love it!