"The acorn squash is toast," read the text message from Sue. 

I couldn't believe it--the acorn squash? Really? The first vegetable I planted in my garden? The biggest, proudest, most prolific plant in the garden is now toast? Could it be?

It could be.

I visited the garden today to check things out after being away for ten days. Luckily, watering wasn't necessary. (My vacation was delicious, by the way. It was largely spent poolside and oceanside, but that's a different blog post for a different day).

I brought a spray bottle of soapy water in case I caught some squash bugs in the act (I did) in hopes that Sue was overstating the plight of the acorn squash (she wasn't) and that I might be able to save the plant (I can't). I also discovered that the only remaining strawberry plant died (although there is one still living in my backyard, knock on wood) and that many of the marigolds have died or at least are in very rough shape. 

The good news is that the okra seems to have recovered from its deer attack and the cucumbers have begun producing. I'm sorry I don't sound more excited--I am delighted at the cukes, but it's guarded delight. I don't want to get attached just to have them die on me. As I weeded, I inspected all the plants carefully for squash bugs and found only one, which did die; I saw to that.

The happiest plant in the garden is the mint, orange mint to be exact. This week I plan to learn how to make mojitos to help drown my sorrows. Gardening, my friends, is not for the faint of heart.