Of course it eluded my shovel, and, in replacing the dirt, I felt rather silly. Nowadays, I still respond, but in a more measured way. More recently, I try to be more vigilant in maintaining the sense of joy and wonder within my beds than a pest-proof perimeter around them. At some level, I have come to accept that the one loss of one crop will be offset by the success of another. Just as my peppers shrivel up and the beans succumb to blight, my peas or apples will be spared and produce in profusion.
Gardeners also learn about surplus.
Stories of excess zucchini are legion, but surplus is just as likely in other crops. This year, after several seasons of few or no cherries, we picked bucket after bucket, both sweet and sour. And just as I consider complaining about pitting another quart, or finding cherries in yet another dish they are gone. And in a few short months I will long for them again. It is another way of giving time.