First Fruits 2011

Welcome to the First Fruits! We have reached the first of the three harvests. At this time of year we see the first crops reaching maturity. There is an abundance of fresh fruit. I love the smell of plums and nectarines and how the juice runs downs down your arm with the first bite.

For many areas of the country, this summer has been brutal. High temperatures have been breaking records. For a change, Florida has been cooler than a lot of the county. It amazes me when I saw temperatures in Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio hotter than here. The northeast has had their share of heat waves too with many cities having triple digit temperatures. I hope all of these areas will have relief from the heat.

I have spent a lot of my time inside studying preparing for college calculus to start in a few weeks. I have been watching videos and doing the practice exercises at the Kahn Academy (http://www.khanacademy.org). This is a non-profit organization that provides free tutoring services. I have completed pre-algebra and now I am 3/4 of the way through algebra. If anyone needs a little help with mathematics, I cannot recommend this organization high enough. I have the confidence now to go back to school.

May you all find abundance in your lives.

Blessings of the Harvest,

Dawn

Artwork:

The artwork is by Orna Ben-Shoshan. The name of this piece is Citron Grove and was created as an oil painting in 2007. Other art: QA and More (created in 2002) and Scabiosa Seeds (2002) is sprinkled through the issue. Please be sure to read the About the Artist to find out more about this incredible woman.