The Meyer Lemon Harvest

February 1st is upon us and I am still wondering when January did a.disappearing act. Where was I when this happened?  It just disappeared in a cloud It had some earth shattering events for some. My Niece's Hubby turned 50. As I told him the first 49 years were just a rehearsal for the next chapter.  If I remember correctly 50 was a pretty good year for me
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In January  I lost a dear cousin in Sweden, a sweet gentle woman, but my Mother will celebrate 99 years in February. The exchange of these things, is our own Soap Opera of life, " As the World turns".

The land of Sunshine wasn't so sunny for awhile, in fact we had some record low temperatures, but complaining about it would only elicit raised eyebrows and a few snickers from those living in states that had  30 or 40 inches or more of snow. I remember those days myself. I am from New England and then lived outside of New York for many years. It took us awhile to get  through to us, that there were warmer places to live.Here we are!

Some years ago we stopped for gas, on one of our vacation trips, just outside of the Florida border. While Mr. Dude was paying the gas bill I was buying fresh vegetables at the stand outside . Loving most plant life I spotted a sweet little tree in a 5 gal. pot. It is so long ago now I don't remember the price but it must have been nominal. Of course no one told me that I might actually not be alive by the time this "thing in the black pot" would grow mature enough to bear fruit!  The tag said Meyer lemon.--hmmm!

Now we all have heard Martha of cooking guru fame and several others extol the virtues of the Meyer lemon. How bad could this be?  Patiently I waited, and waited and waited!  The first year we saw the possibility of fruit, someone with a fruit appetite ate them all--we suspected fruit rats, alright go for it was my theory and I abandoned the idea of ever having fruit.

Yesterday I was checking the backyard to see just how much work needed to be accomplished, after winter. How much effort would it take to bring  it back to a reasonable and clean garden space. Lo and behold  we had lemons hanging down to the ground.  Mr. Dude grabbed a basket and this is what he brought into the house,

Some of the single lemons are as big as a small grapefruit.

The Meyer lemon tree had more faith than I did in its abilities.  This is just another lesson in this life, be patient, and trust that eventually things will turn out the way you have planned,. Once again I am reminded God is in control, I am not, but if I listen and follow his direction, his gifts will show themselves to me.

Now let me see, what shall I do, make a lemon pie? That is my son's favorite. He always wanted a Lemon Meringue pie for his birthday instead of a cake.  I will juice and put in the freezer for summer lemonade,
I will make candied lemon rind, and I will share with my friends. 

Thank you for tuning in and taking the time to read my wanderings.