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Not Alone

4/28/2015

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Gardening can be considered a peaceful, solitary activity. Working in the garden is a time out from television, computers and often human interactions. Plants are quiet and kind. They only want weed-free dirt, sunshine and adequate water. They repay you with lovely shades of green, wonderful things to eat and beautiful flowers. At the end or beginning of a busy day I love my secluded moments in the garden.

But I'm never really isolated there. The birds fly past and perch to sing. Insects buzz, bite and crawl by. Worms are constantly upturned by my trowel. And sometimes, something else is watching. Like this fascinating tree frog. It was there a long time before I saw it, camouflaged perfectly in the dry soil. It had bright yellow spotted inner legs and sat on my arm sizing me up for a long time as well as posing nicely for a picture.

As it slowly hopped away to eat insects, I concluded I'm never alone here and I don't want to be. I'm really just one sort of visitor in this garden. It welcomes all.
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Hurry, Hurry Has no Blessing (Swahili Proverb)

4/21/2015

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Sometimes life is complicated and busy. There are not enough hours in the day. No matter how much you do there are still things left undone. The results should always be perfect.

Life is not meant to be summarized like the paragraph above. We need a balance of peace and chaos. Hours of useful labor and time to just smile. Whatever doesn't transfer to the finished column today most likely will not stop the world from turning. Don't seek perfection -- it's a myth.

I am learning not to spend my time trying to get it all done. There will be that occasional day when quiet moments are rare. Necessity may still make work take priority over more desirable activities. But now I hear a voice saying "Hurry, Hurry has no blessing". And I strive to lead a slower, more contented life.
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Daffodils

4/17/2015

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Daffodils are my favorite flower. I love their bright colors and crisp, clean lines. They are one of the first flowers to bloom in my garden. I like that they have the courage to flaunt their colors so early in the season, sometimes amid the snow. They give me enjoyment as I glance out the window, do my early season work in the garden or bring bunches of them indoors. As I write this my garden is full of them.

If you think about it you probably have a favorite flower, too. Is it the color, smell, shape or associated memory that makes it special? Does it make you smile? Do you have the ultimate luxury, as I do, of growing it in abundance where you live? Or is it only found at a florist or offered to you from the hands of a loved one? Whatever the flower and circumstance, I wish you a full bouquet!
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The Weekend

4/10/2015

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"Can you watch the kids for the weekend?" What grandparent doesn't love to hear that? That's an invitation to spend time spoiling adorable children, who of course take after you (at least when they show admirable qualities!). It's time to re-acquaint yourself with just how labor-intensive kids needs are and how much they liven life up. And it's a chance to build memories and share family traditions.

I did not have grandparents as I was growing up. Three of the four had already died when I was born and the remaining grandparent chose not to be involved with family. I really wish I had grandparents for I saw my parents and in-laws serve as wonderful grandparents for my kids. The more caring adults with unconditional love that a child has in their lives the better. I know my kids received fun, wisdom, a sense of place and are now learning about the passing of the generations from those grandparents. For all of this I am grateful.

So when people ask "what did you do this weekend?" and I reply "watched the grandkids", I will know it wasn't just babysitting services that were offered. I will know it was so much more.
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