R.I.P. Dear Red One

After I woke up yesterday, I made my way to the refrigerator for my morning glass of Instant Breakfast and, out of habit, glanced out the kitchen window to gaze at my lone red tomato. She was becoming more red and more plump daily. Just the evening before, I had contemplated picking her, but figured that one more night would do her some good. It was the day of harvest and I was looking forward to the first garden salad of the year.

But I saw no flash of red among the green of the garden.

I figured that CandyMan must have picked it the night before after I left for my girls night out. Of course--that made sense. So I began hunting the kitchen. Nothing. So I asked Necco if she had seen the red tomato.

"Yeah, Mom, it's sitting on the side of the garden."

What a tragedy. Knocked down and nibbled on by squirrels in the night.

I think I'll be picking the rest of my tomatoes before they're fully ripe next time.