I could not have been happier with the lovely rain last Saturday afternoon. I had picked basil, beans, cucumbers, dill, zucchini, eggplant and beets earlier in the day and was able to clean and prepare some nice meals for the coming week.

I froze several containers of pesto starter kits. I did not use the cheese but will add it when I thaw to use this winter. Since pine nuts are rather pricey, I used walnuts instead. My friend Sharlee uses cashews.

I did blanch the basil leaves for a nanosecond in rapidly boiling salted water. That will maintain the color. Otherwise basil will turn black. It still tastes good but hey visual is part of enjoying food. I used some of the pesto in a fresh sauce of zucchini, eggplant and my first sungold tomatoes.

I was very late getting my tomatoes into the ground this year. I confess it was nearly July, but honestly they seem to be catching up to the early June plantings. Why, I wonder, do we stress about the relatively unimportant? Things eventually fall into place when we get out of the way.

I’m amazed at a garden incident this week. I found some probably five-year-old Golden Bantam corn seeds at the bottom of my seed bag. I’ve been carting it around in the truck summer and winter for years. I planted them (just to get rid of them with the possibility of a fighting chance). They germinated after four days. What are the odds? It reaffirms my belief in the potential of life within a tiny seed.

I have to comment on two non-garden related pet peeves. Why can’t people walk on the left facing traffic?

Also, why do restaurants play loud music while we, the dining public, would like to have a quiet conversation with our companions?

Where was I? Oh, yes. I also planted some buckwheat and some field peas in beds freed up after the garlic harvest. Both are soil improvers, and the field peas have the added benefit of some yummy pea shoots. I love them in a salad or simply alone. I did try to eat the peas that developed later in the past. They are not wonderful — very starchy and probably used for animal feed. Nonetheless, being a legume they fix nitrogen.

I wish I could report on my observations this week in my travels to and fro. Sadly, I have been too hot and miserable to care. On the job sites we are throwing around phrases like “Was I a mass murderer in a previous life?” Or my favorite: “If we were in hell we’d be on vacation.”

That’s right, folks. We are hot, crabby and cynical. Once the humidity lifts all will be well once again.

In the meantime I can take small comfort knowing the tomatoes, melons and peppers love the heat. We should have a bumper crop.

I searched in vain for a tomato worm that is devastating one plant. I followed its little poo trail but still couldn’t find it. When I do come across them I cut them right in half with my Felcos without a shred of regret or squeamishness. Years ago I was so grossed out by them I would throw them into the road. They made a long green smear when struck by vehicles. I commented to my smoker workers that the tobacco hornworm is even bigger and grosser and that heavy pesticides are used against them. So much for a lecture from their elders — they still light up at the end of the day.

Every day is a big adventure in Trumpland. On Sunday he picked a fight with LeBron and then went in Ohio on the campaign trail. What’s up with him and black athletes? I think he only likes Don King. I’m only five pages into Madeleine Albright’s book Fascism and can tell it’s a real page turner. Book report to follow.