Much work was done

Espaliered apples

For the first time, our apple espaliers look like the real deal (we planted them five or six years ago, depending on whose memory you're asking). Their trunks have thickened up nicely, and they have the beginnings of gnarled spurs (the bits that bear the fruit). They are loaded with blossoms! This is all in thanks to Matt's careful pruning and training.

But getting apples is not easy. With diligent spraying of Surround, an organic clay-based barrier to keep out the evil curculio bug, we can coax a modest crop. Then, when squirrels haul our whole harvest up into the neighbor's maple tree, we can dodge the cores as they're hucked at us from above.

None of this matters to me, though, because I am wholly sustained by beauty, and I do not need to eat food.