I love this post. For many reasons.
My family grew bell peppers for extra money (I joke that I had them with my Cheerios for breakfast, but it’s not that far off the mark.)
My parents had gone through a (forced on them) bankruptcy, so we became penniless. I have no idea how Dad and Mom made it through those incredibly difficult years. Six kids, 6-18. How do you feed them all plus your wife? How do you keep all of your kids in parochial school? There needs to be a trade off. Ok, the older kids go to public HS, and work at McDonald’s. You hold 2 jobs, no three! You live in a cinder block home with one bathroom for all 8 of you to share. Just a smitch better than a double wide. But!! You have access to a small farm plot that your brother in law will allow you to farm on his land, for nearly nothing. You decide you can grow bell peppers, and sell them to the big city farmers’ markets, for a few seasons, anyway. This was how my parents managed through that particular crisis.
It took me roughly 40 years to be able to even get close to bell peppers again. I never wanted to see them or more importantly, taste them or handle them again, ever in my life. Fortunately, the years heal many things.
As to Gary, my best friend in high school was a guy. I had no idea he was interested in me. None. Zip zero nada. When I introduced him to my then boyfriend in college, he was gracious, but let Mr FF know that he would be watching. Closely.
If all worked out.
We stayed in touch for 15 or so years. My “Gary” got to meet my kids, who were children. After a few years we lost touch, but I know that despite that, we still wish the best for each other.
Friends.
Every gal needs a Gary in her life! My Gary married my friend Sherri and adopted her daughter. Known them all for decades, now. Daughter has a son who I used to babysit for - so it’s still all in the family. ;)
My Mom is that way with stewed tomatoes. They hit a rough patch when she was young and all they had to eat most of that winter was home-canned tomatoes on toast. (Grandma’s homemade bread.) She doesn’t like any tomato-based foods, but she will willingly raid my garden for fresh slicing and cherry tomatoes. ;)