Dreaming in color...

Funny blessings

My sunflower garden is thriving,

despite the plentiful bushy tailed rodents

that populate our neighborhood.

when I planted seeds this spring,

I was absolutely convinced

that my yearly pocket of sunshine

was going to suffer a terrible fate.

However,

I couldn't have been more wrong.

How delightful to find myself mistaken.

Why oh why...

are my seeds being left alone?

Simply this....

Our squirrels like garbage better!

Munching through plastic,

happy for nasty night buffets,

the icky critters,

leave my tender shoots of future beauty alone.

What a happy trick,

a side benefit to what otherwise might be

simply an annoyance.

Now,

when I pick trash up,

I am actually,

almost grateful.

sigh...

How silly is that?

Tonight,

and always,

I pray that you will find happiness.

In the path you are walking,

in the people who love you,

in the beautiful world around you.

If you see a squirrel headed for your garden...

I'm sorry...

maybe you should lose a trash can lid.

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.

The gardens are moved...

Sixty pavers made their way into two cars aided by three adults and one dear daughter.

Now they are nestled around the front and side of my new home and stand ready to be filled with dirt.

Hanging baskets...

little rabbits...

porch boxes...

even my fire pit...

all made the transition.

Now, back at the old house I sit,

still and quiet.

typing...

thinking...

Taking only the two smaller gardens means that I've decided that only my grandmother's black-eyed Susan's are coming with me.

All the rest can stay.

As one of my friends suggested, my gardens are fresh canvases.

What an apt way of describing the opportunity before me.

I hope that when you are given a chance for a new start,

whether it is a new job, a new hobby or a new friendship,

that you will find the strength to embrace the possibilities that are before you.

I have always liked the idea that when a door closes that somewhere one opens.

I think the sentiment holds truth.

Tonight, may you find peace.

The future is uncertain for us all.

Yet, we are promised we are not alone.

Embrace this truth.

Walk on with confidence.

We are blessed!

Ready to go!

This afternoon I dismantled my two smaller flower gardens!

Now sixty cement pavers stand in lines awaiting transport to their new home.

An angel, a turtle, a frog and even a couple of bunnies await reassignment.

...a birdbath and a trellis...

...some planters and garden rocks....

...Hanging pots and lawn furniture all stand ready....

A satisfying collection of happy things...
...good memories to take with me...
....flowers from loved ones long gone and from cherished friends who still make me smile daily...

A garden is a place of growth.

I wish for you...

I wish for me...

That this will be a season of growing for us all.

Of beauty...

Of happiness...

Of new beginnings!