A basket of fresh herbs will be enjoyed year round

A Downey Woodpecker has joined the Blue Jays, hummingbirds, house finches, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Tufted Titmouse and chickadees at the feeder this summer.

Is anything better than cooking with vegetables fresh from the garden? These vegetables survived heat and squirrels, so I feel very lucky. This week’s bounty includes squash blossoms, zucchini, peppers, fresh basic, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and blueberries. The...