Squash Tomatoes

I saw this on a sign when coming back from the barn yesterday. On a quick glance, I couldn't help but think that it was an invite to stop the car, go to the nearby vegetable patch and start stomping through the tomatoes. The image that came to mind is that of Lucy and Ethel holding their skirts up and stomping grapes in a big vat - from some show of "I Love Lucy".

I understood it to be a sign about vegetables that were for sale, but I like my first impression better.

There was a group from a rehabilitation program at the barn yesterday. They were shown the different breeds of horses and then helped to brush a few. Being around these creatures was a huge boon to the patients, the mass of the animals being an easy target to touch and feel. The old draft mare had her head in a patient's lap, almost resting her chin on him while he petted her. Her head was about as big as his torso in the wheelchair, but she lay it against him as gently as a cat. The patient alarmed a couple of people later, when he zoomed around a little too quickly behind the old mare, but she took no notice. She is huge and a bit lame and - the usual problem is getting her to move at all.

Just after seeing the order to Squash Tomatoes, I heard an interview on the radio with a wildlife expert about the migrating habits of barn swallows. He said that they should have left for southern climes by now. The parents and two broods that were harassing us since June seem to agree. Early last week they were still dive bombing us in the aisles, this week they have disappeared. The nest is still in place at the eastern end, waiting for next spring.