WHEN CUCUMBERS FAIL

Cucumbers are very versatile vegetables. More has been done with cucumbers than with most other vegetables. Grown in gardens or greenhouses on long spiny vines, a single plant can produce up to 100 cucumbers. As a food, cucumbers are low in calories and provide a good source of iron and minerals. Their unique texture and flavor give them a fanciful place in many culinary delights. The cucumbers' advantages extend well beyond the kitchen. People have even used cucumbers to moisturize and smooth out dry skin. From salads and hamburgers to skin cream, this useful "fruit of the vine" affords us many wonderful benefits. However, there is one area where cucumbers fall short.

Did I mention hamburgers? Oh yes, pickles! Pickles themselves don't grow on vines. They are simply cucumbers that have been soaked in vinegar. Now, don't get me wrong. There's nothing like a reuben or tuna sandwich with a fresh, crisp dill pickle on the side. Pickles can greatly enhance the flavor of many sandwiches. Even by themselves, pickles are a tasty snack. But, pickles can leave a very bitter aftertaste, especially if those "pickles" happen to be troublesome dilemmas.

It is often said that our actions are the "fruits of our vines." The quality of our "fruits" tells us where and how our "vines" are rooted. It also tells us how our vines were tended and what they were nourished with. A vine that is well tended will flourish. A vine that is neglected or nourished with bitter water will produce bitter fruits. When we allow the bitter "vinegar" of hatred and anger to sour us, the "fruits of our vines" will reflect this attitude. In time, we find ourselves getting into "quite a pickle" that can leave a bitter taste for years to come. It is said that we "reap what we sow." So plant cucumbers, and save the pickles for the sandwiches!