This Is REALLY The Last Batch

I keep saying with a contented sigh, "This is the last of it." I think I said that a week ago when I removed the last of the garden produce out of the sink and into glass jars and thence into the pressure canner. Since then I have smugly looked many times at my pantry shelves of properly preserved foodstuffs waiting for the winter months (when I don't want to run 17 miles to the market for produce). I kind of found myself short of bragging rights around friends because I had nothing more to do. Send in my friend, Butch.

Butch maintains a large and prolific community garden at our church (Lighthouse Assembly of God) in Harbor Beach, Michigan. He has a passion for vegetable gardening and when you ask him how it's going - better grab a chair and coffee because he has lots to tell you! He loves to grow food and give it away - to the food bank, neighbors, people at church. Anyone who wants to "u-pick" can go to Butch.

At the front of Butch's garden is an old green Rubbermaid tub with lid. Inside he stores bags and buckets for the gleaners. A few feet away a rusted shovel stands upright in the damp garden soil. It's cracked, silver-grey handle creaks with strain as your foot shoves the blade downward looking for booty. Ah, but the reward... Lots of red potatoes from giant to new - masterfully nurtured from seed planted last spring by my friend Butch.

Tonight - I'm generating more bragging rights for the weekend. I'm putting up vegetables from Butch's garden; red potatoes, pole beans, bell peppers, banana peppers, and fresh parsley to be dried.
...and a few last potatoes from Judy's and my garden (but they're a lot smaller than Butch's).