“Herr: Es ist Zeit. Der Sommer war sehr groß,” said Rainer Maria Rilke in his widely celebrated poem Autumn Day. Which translates into English as “Lord, it is time. The summer was very big.”
Having estimated the size of summer, Rilke then instructed the Lord to lay His shadow on the sundials, to let the winds go loose on the meadows, to command the last fruits to be full, and, last but not least, to make some wine. Scholars of literature still argue why the great German poet felt so bossy on that fall day. Perhaps he was — just like me — a little sick of air conditioning driving up his electric bill (over $200 a month compared to the regular $60 during the rest of the year) and reaching for the bottle?..
Frankly, I do not know. And I do not expect you, kind reader, to solve either this riddle or any of the aforementioned end-of-summer exigencies for me.
I merely ask you to look at this photo — the last one of the season — and to offer a conjecture about its nature.
What are we?
Uh…tomatoes? But that would be too obvious.
Nein! NOT tomatoes.
potatoes!
What an uncharacteristically sloppy answer!!! I’m shocked.
Pumpkins!
(I was going to say tomatoes, too.)
Oh I wish! It would be very nice to have so many little pumpkins.
Wait, how are they not tomatoes? I’ve seen them in person and I am quite sure they are tomatoes. I will go eat one and find out I guess.
oops.
Herr Husband is right. These are potato fruits. What do I get?
Yay, winner!
Hmmmmm, good question… Would fedexing a potato to Ukraine be a bit silly?
You know they are poisonous? James? Jaaameees!!!!
alas…
Now can we get married?!
Yes, we better! Before my biological clock stops ticking…
Alright! Start packing your seeds
))