F. Vettergreen, early Bartlett #3; oil and wax on canvas, 6 x 6 in

Mmmm.  Late August.   The peaches and nectarines are canned, jammed and frozen.  The hanging garden’s crop of cherry tomatoes, hail-scarred though they are, were excellent in tonight’s pasta.  I have the most vibrant collection of red bell peppers on my counter.

And — the early pears are at the market!  Later I will preserve a case for winter, but for now I’m content just to look at them.  It’s no wonder pears have featured in still-life paintings for centuries; what other shape is simultaneously earthy and perfectly sophisticated?