I Did a Thing!

I don't know.... Maybe it was seeing both my son's gardens each time we visited, and going away with hands full of their bounty and a definite big case of "garden envy."

Or maybe it was the recent binge watching of Jeremy Clarkson, the farmer-wanna-be on Clarkson's Farm that made me feel like I could maybe grow... something? Knowing nothing about farming, he took us on a journey of trial and error, discovery, disappointment and the eternal battle with Mother Nature. When he finally was able to accomplish something, he'd comment in joyful voice, "I did a thing!"

Here's the Trailer for Season 1. (Disclaimer: There is some swearing in the dialogue)

So I decided I was going to try. I wanted to "do a thing!"

So this Mother's Day, my sons came over and scoped out the best location for sun, and whipped up a 4'x 8' garden box for me. I was excited to have it right outside my kitchen window. I knew if I could see it each day. It wouldn't get forgotten or over grown with weeds. Soon the box was filled with sticks and leaves etc and a good thick amount of compost and soil. Now what to plant?

Feeling optimistic!

At the local library I came across a seed lending library, where kind gardeners had shared some of their seeds in small manilla envelopes. I could "check out" up to 5 varieties. So, I took home green bean, green pepper, carrot, and summer squash and snuggled them into the dirt. I watered, watched and prayed that I might see some buds. To my delight, a few carrots bravely pushed up and then a couple of peppers and squash. Success!

When the time was right to plant, I visited Lowes to "fill in" my box. I must say, I was a bit ambitious. I mean, who wouldn't be? After all they look so small. Walking through the vegetable plants, they each seemed to be calling to me, "Take ME home!" and "I'll give you a good harvest!" So, I took home a zucchini plant, an eggplant, two tomatoes, rosemary and some sweet potato plants. On the way home, I had a mixture of buyers regret and excitement, like a kid who walks into a candy shop and her tummy soon tells her she bought way to much.

It's SO hard to say no!

Getting my hands in the soil, making a hole and welcoming the plant to it's new home was a special experience— somehow, connecting me to Mother Earth and the cycle of life in an intimate way.

Over the weeks, with lots of sun and a little,(or maybe a lot) of Miracle Grow, the plants have exploded! I seriously am being taken over by seeds gone rogue! I swear I can see those leaves double in size each day.

Here are the 1st year gardening lessons I learned:

• You can start small. You don't have to grow everything the first year.

• Don't over plant. Give you plants space to grow and they WILL!

• It is fun to talk to your plants and encourage them.

• The harvest is not the only success. Just trying to do a thing is a success.

• The seeds that didn't sprout despite my tender care, weren't meant to be, but they did have a purpose in teaching me to be a better gardener.

• Little seeds, no bigger than your pinky nail, can blossom into gigantic plants with the right care.

• Deer will love your fresh daily salad of sweet potato leaves that they nibble at night while you are fast asleep...dreaming of how good those sweet potatoes will taste.

• I am glad that I covered the bottom of the box with chicken wire before I put in the soil, so that animals could not come up from below to grab a snack.

• A raised garden helps with ground hogs and rabbits & a fence IS NECESSARY!

• Chipmunks and squirrels can still run right through the fence at lightning speed.

• Mourning doves and sparrows will LOVE to take a dirt bath in your garden. So cute.

• There is nothing quite as peaceful as going out to your garden, quietly weeding then giving the plants a drink each day. It will fill your soul.

• And finally, I am already thinking about how to expand this garden next year. A second bed? With a chicken wire arch between them for cucumbers?

  
  

  Pinterest... Here I come.

  
  

So today. I harvested my first two zucchini, with PLENTY of more squash on the way.

I highly recommend getting your hands in the soil. It literally is grounding.

And to be able to eat something that was just a seed a few short weeks ago,

grown with no pesticides, out in the fresh air, is AMAZING!

Hmmmm.... now what should I make with my bounty?

You Can Lead a Horse to Water...

Shock, Denial, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. We went through them all and then some... sometimes more than once. First when my daughter survived Thyroid cancer and now with my husband.

After my loved ones cancer diagnosis, I was very eager for him to have the support he needed. But as anyone knows, it is hard for someone else to tell you what you need to do, even if it would be good for you. So when I heard about LIVE STRONG, I looked into it and emailed him the link, letting him know he would find it in his inbox and just to take a look when he was ready.

Time went by, and even though I was eager, I tried not to nag, but asked gently now and again if he had taken a look at the email. He simply replied that he had not deleted it. That was a win in my book.

Then one day, he surprised me and told me he had read about the group and decided to sign up. I tried to suppress my joy, but I was beyond excited. On this difficult journey, I knew he needed to find his people. The ones who could understand in a way that I could not.

So, at the local YMCA, he began going twice a week. The sessions, from what he told me, were filled with community, sharing and LOTS of exercise to strengthen them to live strong. I began noticing a difference. Tired legs and body, of course, but lots of smiles, increase in stamina and interest in doing things. It was a gift for him and a gift for me.

The LIVESTRONG 12-week program sessions are over now and he will move onto their next program in the fall, called "Strong." I am thrilled that many of his new friends will be coming back.

If you know anyone, who is dealing with cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery and is need of strengthening of body and spirit,

I cannot recommend this group highly enough.

You can get more info here or at your local YMCA.

For today's poetry Friday, I thought I would share the beautiful poetic lyrics my daughter wrote for her song, "Calling All Survivors." It is an amazing video, when you think that this was recorded not long after her two surgeries and treatment.

She could have lost her voice.

Thank God and thanks to the amazing medical care she received,

she was able to make this beautiful rallying cry against cancer and for survivors.

For more lovely poetry go to our host: Carol Labuzetta at Apples in My Orchard.

Thanks for hosting, Carol! And thanks Erica Leigh for the inspiration!

Gone From My Sight

This week brought together grief and poetry in an unexpected way. The images in this poem, are ones I will hold onto for days.

One day last year, while visiting my friend Ann, her husband Carm complained that he badly needed a hair cut. Having helped a few of my elderly friends with their bushy eyebrows and graying locks, I offered my help. Soon I was setting up of my barber shop, once a month in their kitchen. There's something about cutting someone's hair that feels so close and intimate. I always feel humbled when I can help someone in this way.

Me and my dear friend, Ann.

While I combed and snipped, Carm would talk about the latest politics or the overide for the school budget that was"just not right!" He was a history teacher for many years with a loud and sometimes gruff voice, but I could see underneath his exterior a small soft spot. It snuck out once in a while in a smile, when I handed him my phone so he could see the results of my efforts and tell me if I missed anything.

Last Monday, while Ann was serving lunch, Carm suddenly collapsed, and after 4 days went home to God. He was 85 and at that age, things happen... But it was Ann's husband of 54 years and when the "two who become one" are separated, it is tough no matter how old or young.

At the funeral, Carm's brother read a beautiful poem, "Gone from My Sight"by Henry VanDyke, that had extra meaning for this couple who loved Maine. I though it was just beautiful and wanted to share it.

Happy Poetry Friday everyone.

Hope these images bring comfort to anyone missing someone they love.

Check out the other lovely poems here. Thank you Karen Edmisten for hosting this week!