“Sunflower seeds on their cushion lie in a pattern of interlacing circles, all in sober tones of gray that seem to repent the wanton flowering of summer. Jade green soybeans in bristly, dark-brown pods and rich yellow corn in faded husks. It is a near miracle to pull tapering orange carrots out of the ground or dark-red beets; sweet potatoes most of all, so varied in shape and size, of such a golden color. The slanting sun is warm, the sky above the tawny earth is of deepest blue. The gardener harvests much that was never planted.”