The Honest Courtesan

Practically as soon as last week’s diary column posted, all the tomato plants started fruiting.  This picture is of the one that was already bearing last week; I think it won’t be long before I can gather a few to make fried green tomatoes.  I’m still not sure about the rest of the fruit; it’s already turning chilly and overcast here, and the two-week forecast calls for more of the same, making this the shortest, coolest summer since I’ve been in Washington.  And honestly, that doesn’t really bother me; my seasonal anxiety has been much less severe this year than usual, and perhaps once the rain starts again this damned allergy will finally go away.  It had faded out after mid-July, so I thought I was done with it, but then it came roaring back last Friday night (though it passed much more quickly this time and was already much less severe by yesterday).  Here’s hoping that whatever caused it doesn’t recur next year, because it’s nearly as bad as the anxiety; besides, it seems to be tied to the weird fruit weather, and we can’t have that become the new norm!