when too many tomatoes bring back old memories

I remember summers in my childhood, when my grandmother’s backyard would overflow with ripe, sun-warmed tomatoes. Back then, we never worried about having too many—neighbors would come by, baskets in hand, and the kitchen would fill with the smell of simmering sauce. Today, I find myself in a similar spot, staring at my own mountain of tomatoes, but the world feels different. Now, some folks say we should just can everything, like the old days. Others, especially the younger crowd, talk about fancy dehydrators and sharing on social media. But is it really the same? My community’s rules even frown on leaving boxes of produce at the curb—something my family did for decades. It makes me wonder: are we losing something by trading neighborly sharing for strict regulations and high-tech solutions? The Midwest heat this year has been relentless, making the tomatoes sweeter but also more plentiful than ever. I worry about waste, but I also miss the days when abundance meant connection, not anxiety. Do we stick to tradition, or embrace the new ways? And how do we balance the beauty of a bursting garden with the rules and rhythms of modern life? #tomatoseason #familytraditions #communitydebate #Gardening