spring 2011

                                     

you reap what you sow or do you?

I think one of the many reasons I enjoy and like gardening is that you do reap what you sow.  By following all the good gardening steps I end up with the "fruit" of my labor.  Which got me thinking about how does this saying "you reap what you sow" apply to other parts of my life or for that matter life in general.

Childern:  sometimes not always
Husband:  sometimes not always
Job: sometimes not always, usually most people get the short stick on that one

So now the saying "life isn't fair" comes to mind.

I'm keeping with my gardening in which I do reap what I sow!

Got to go mend my afghan now, you know what they say "a stitch in time saves nine"

protect your investment

With the rain comes the snails.  Be sure to put out some snail bait in the next couple of days.  Also a good time to spray those weeds.

rose care for March

apply 1 tablespoon of sulfate of potash (0-0-25) to each plant around march 1st
fertilize weekly with 1 tablespoon of sulfate of ammonia (21-0-0) per plant acidify garden soil. do not use on potted plants
watch for early symptoms of mildrew and rust, and remove afftected leaves by hand
irrigate rose beds with 1.5 inches of surface water twice a week

You can't take it with you

Stuff!  Why do we have (need) so much stuff?  I have been helping my Mother un-assembling our family home of 53 years.  She will be moving in with my sister and renting out the house.

I was surprised by how much emtional is attached to the material items she has collected over the years, down to the seemingly un-interesting (at least to me) nic nac.

I have always loved the way going home made me feel, the house to me seemed to be in perfect order, soothing and safe.  As we began to take out the furniture and nic nac's the rooms began to just become walls without any memories.

I guess all the "stuff" she has collected recalls memories for us and created the view in which we are familiar and enjoy. 

I was the beneficiary of many of these items as they were gifts I have boughten her, or items I have admired thoughtout the years.  The most prized items are those that hold the deepest memories of a simpler younger life.

My concern now is will I have the time to create my own memories with these items that hold such a nostalgia so my childern will have something to hold onto that was loved by me.

In the end its not the stuff but the memories, but the memories are connected to the stuff and a life gone by. 

Its not where you end up but how you get there

I just got done pruning and spraying my fruit trees and had to laugh to myself.  When I think about all the care and time I devote to them compared to the amount of fruit they bear its very lopsided.

Then I realized its not so much the harvest that I enjoy but the process.  Each year I seem to learn something new to take better care of them.

If we can all enjoy the ride and not so much the destination it will be a much better trip.

The Perfect Gift

The perfect gift sometimes can be the gift of yourself, especially for an elderly person.  I know my mom has all the things she needs or wants but sharing of one's time is what she enjoys the most.  And it doesn't even have to be an "elderly" person but a good friend sometimes a friendly shoulder.

This year I am celebrating 50 years of friendship with two of my girlfriends.  I am truly blessed to have such long term friendships.  In a way its like looking into a mirror.