I planted some beans this year. I believe I was inspired by memories of frequent, bountiful harvests, which in my youth were considered to be catastrophic events. However, in more recent times, I have begun to consider torrent of beans flowing out of the garden, washing over my patio, and being transported into my kitchen in via an army of five gallon buckets to be in the category of "pleasant dream" rather than "nightmare". Unfortunately, my visions of abundance have not grown into realities. My vines are laden with lush green bean mirages which dissipate upon inspection, leaving behind the seven lean beans of famine to harry the heart and crush the spirit. Nevertheless, during these times of want, I have been storing away these shriveled fruits in preparation for the time when the vision of the seven fat beans of plenty will come to pass, and I will be stricken by lack of proper appreciation for my bounty. To adapt the words of one wise man: "If beans are a curse, then may God smite me with with them, and may I never recover!"

I really shouldn't complain. I have been able to put away some beans. For example, my first batch:

And now, a (relatively) large batch:

That's a whopping THREE bags of beans in the freezer!