Tomato daydreams

The parking lot of my favorite grocery shares a common outlet with a Lowe's store.

This,

may not be temptation for some.

For me,

it is like a make out session is to a teenager.

It never surprises my children,

when I ease the car out of one parking spot

and slide it happily into another.

Like a kid in a video game store,

I stood in front of the display of tomatoes,

barely breathing.

Smiling

Daydreaming

I could almost taste the salads that will be made more perfect with the addition of sun ripened decadence.

I silently scooped up two plants recommended for containers

and traded my currency with deep satisfaction.

Back home,

they've been planted

and even photographed for you.

It makes me smile to see them.

I did have seeds.

I do every year.

The seeds,

comfort me in winter.

When I can't really plant a thing.

Somehow though,

warm days and clear nights

make me,

just a little more impatient than usual.

I think I'll just consider my packet of seeds,

winter "therapy"

and not count them a waste.

May you find happiness in what you love.

And,

if you embrace a little innocent temptation

...don't feel too guilty!

May you be blessed,

this evening and always.

Gardening bliss...

Some of you may have heard of my love for fruiting plants before.

...Though the trees couldn't come with me when I moved,

the blackberry bushes surely did.

Tucked into the corner at the end of the flowers,

I grin when I look at them.

Green...

Four foot high...

and

guaranteed to scratch anyone walking past!

I dream of jelly and jam...

Of adding more plants over the years.

I freely admit,

I'm a daydreamer.

Late this afternoon,

as I shopped for groceries at Aldi's...

I walked past their general merchandise.

Always interesting to consider...

outdoor things....

gourmet candy...

you can never tell

just exactly what they may have...

One thing for certain...

in the spring...

the summer...

the early fall...

You'll find plants, seeds, bulbs...

I know this...

I love this...

So I wasn't surprised by the lovely display...

Just delighted

I stopped as I walked past...

I looked in reverent silence...

I sighed..

just a little..

I didn't really need anything they were offering.

But staring at the display,

a happy childhood memory of picking grapes

from a chain link fence

splashed to the surface of my mind.

warm sun...

bare feet...

laughing...

eating...

family

fun

life

With a swift and silent motion,

I placed a box under my cart.

Planting...

teaching...

raising children...

One moment at a time...

shaping the future.

Patience

persistence

perseverance

Life...

What a blessing...

What a gift.

May you find joy in the walk before you,

May the small actions

in your power

to make the world better...

bring you

joy...

peace...

happiness..

May you be blessed.

Seeing the future

So many times I pause and ponder the future.

Tonight,

as I looked at the new beds of perennials I have created,

I was blessed.

Being a gardener for a while now,

I am privileged to have experienced the absolute

beauty of a garden at it's height of loveliness.

As I stood looking at the beds that now contain all my beloved flowers,

I could see the future.

In my mind,

the yellows, reds and purples are ablaze.

The butterflies are floating on the breeze

and I am smiling,

covered in dirt.

I dug the roots deep enough,

that at this time of year,

there should be little transplant shock.

I'll baby them if need be for a week or two.

Then,

I'll watch as they begin to awaken,

spread together,

and form

a carpet

of color.

I am so grateful for the flowers,

for this day,

for my children.

...my job, my friends, my family.

It is hard to let go of the past.

There is a sense of emptiness...

a little melancholy.

Sometimes my faith falters.

I quiver a little and hesitate as I step forward.

Then,

I am blessed with simple things like...

worms,

blackberry bushes,

and dirt that won't come out from under my nails....

I have to smile.

Despite my small whimper...

I know,

I don't have to form a

"Cry Baby Club".

The world will be o.k.

I pray that when your emotions overshadow your good sense,

that you will be given what you need to keep walking.

I hope you know,

that if you sometimes feel the need,

to form your own local chapter of the,

"Cry Baby Club",

you are in good company!

I hope you find peace and happiness on your journey...

and maybe,

a worm or two!

May you be blessed!

Happy Things

As the sun heads near the horizon, I sit here thinking about my world.

I have to let out a little sigh because I'm tired.

I'm am sure many of you can identify with this feeling at least occasionally.

It is easy to get discouraged when I am weary.

I find myself thinking that I better count my blessings and daydream about the lovely things in life.

To this end, I browsed my computer files looking at my favorite photos and I ran across one of my garden a few years back.

I took the picture one late July or Early August day when my garden was at it's height of glory.

There were about twelve or thirteen different types of sunflowers that year and the happy mixture of annuals and perennials was just perfect in my book.

Not all my years have been that successful. Like life, some times I haven't been able to make the vision in my head translate into reality.

Thankfully, just as everyday is a new beginning, every season is a fresh start.

I like to think of my perennials like the memories I carry with me.

Though they are ever present in my garden, it is my choice if they are an asset or a liability.

When well tended, they are the backdrop for my lovely annuals.

However, if I let them run astray, they can leave little room for new planting experiments.

This year, this season...

I will examine my life.

I will count my blessings.

I will embrace each day for what it is,

a new beginning.

Perhaps you're in need of a fresh start as well.

Claim this day as your own.

I wish only good things for you.

May the "garden" of your life be filled with lovely people and experiences.

May you be blessed!