h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I was very pleased to enjoy the first harvest of the year from my tiny plot of ground. A very nice meal of what we call 'green pancakes' consisting of greens from this very plot, sorrel, common plantain, dandelion, young burdock, watercress, and tansy (of prime importance). Mingled with these were a few eggs from the Farmers' Market and breadcrumbs from a ground up stale loaf and, from a distance, nutmeg, ginger and salt.

And here in this north country my lettuce and radishes have germinated after only a few days in the soil and one of my indoor over-wintering hot pepper plants already has a lovely fruit growing on a branch. The little tomato plants I bought at the Farmers' market last Saturday have doubled in size and one even has flowers already.


After several days of midsummer temperatures (approaching 30 degrees celsius) the forcast is now calling for a few days of rain (my two new rain barrels arrived just in time).


All is very, very well on my tiny plot of earth.

At this time of year, and at many others, I find myself referring back in quiet joy to the first elegy of Tibullus: http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/tibullus1.html (disappointing english translation here: http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/world/readfile?fk_files=32501&pageno=6)

I once did my own translation of this poem . . .


'A Manifesto' I subtitled it, and it had much more of the rebel in it than does the translation of Mr. Theodore D. Williams of 1908. Unfortunately, the little journal that had published a few bits of my pieces of verse folded just after I sent them that particular piece.






Perhaps one day. . .


In the mean time

. . . may hope not abandon me
but always give to me
a heap of crops and vats of must,
aging into wine.

Hi Anhaga,

I seems that you are enjoying the Beatus Ille ideal. I envy you.



cheers!

Sounds delicious.

'twas delicious and I am beatus.