Round Up

All summer I have been pondering what to do with about 200 additional square feet of yard that is fenced in behind my garage, and on the side, just off of my garden. It has just been a grassy (really just hearty weeds) part of the yard. I began to imagine how much I could grow in those areas, and provide more garden space for greater production.

I waited until the weather got to a more tolerable heat (around 97) and one morning a couple of weeks ago went out early with my Round Up and started squirting away. It took me a good hour. During that hour I was left in quiet, with no distractions, and had lots to sort out in the quiet spaces. I had some time to get real with the Lord about some things in my life that were bugging me, and some things He's allowed that have hurt. Then, my thoughts turned to the weeds that so easily spring up in my life, and heart. I sort of got angry, if I'm completely honest!! I thought silently, "why on Earth is it that in this scorching heat my pitiful grass is all scorched, and ratty, burned up, and these weeds are just as hearty, and are thriving so well?". I thought, in my frustration, "why mess with the weeds? They ARE green, thriving and hearty".
Then I started thinking about just what it is I want. More area to produce more fruit, and some cutting flowers to add beauty to my garden and home, and share with others. As I've said before, the simple abundances...

I began to feel softened, and for some of the walls that had been up around my heart crumble. I began to open up to the Lord that I want more fruit, and trust his loving hand to come and "round up" the weeds in my heart and life, even in the life of our family. I see Him being so faithful to the invitation into the plots of my life that are riddled with weeds.

Now I have lots of scorched, dead weeds that must be raked, hoed, and removed from the garden once we get enough rain to soften the soil enough to remove them all. After all the weeds are gone, I will till, and begin working the soil, so that it's ready for the next growing season.

Thank you Lord for making me ready for the seasons you have for me.

A Stream Will Never Rise Above It's Source

Recently I've had a couple of reminders that in the natural realm the old saying about streams is painfully true.

Today we had a particularly glaring instance where someone we all respect very much had his own sin, and baggage get in his way of presenting truth as pure truth. It was one of those times you have to drop back 10 and punt with the kids, and make it clear that said party fumbled.

The Lord is so faithful to use these times as sober reminders. May we always point our children to the purest Source, and be good Representatives.

Know What?

I don't think Elvis ever REALLY knew how to love Priscilla. He tried when it was too late, then it destroyed him. How tragic!!

Bloomin' Cotton

Today I went out and found this little treasure. I've never seen a cotton bloom.

Chuck's Cotton

Late Summer Garden

Enjoy a few updated pictures.

Dog Days

Aaaah, August. There is nothing like hot, humid weather to make me long for Fall.

My first "real garden" has proven to be a real learning experience. I have neighbors I will refer to as "Mr. & Mrs. Green" that have been gardening most of their 87 & 84 yrs. They have QUITE a garden, and have the 9 yrs. I have lived here. This is the first garden they have had without corn in 57 yrs. However, they won't be going without green beans or tomatoes this year, that's for sure!!! Their 2 rows of beans have yielded over 100 canned quarts. They have roughly 50 tomato plants out.

Mrs. Green asked me "How's your garden growing?" a couple of weeks ago, and I told her I felt it has been a success apart from great disappointment over my beans. I told her how sickened I am over the difference in Runners, and Bush beans. She said she almost told me not to bother with the Bush Beans, but figured I knew what I wanted. I assured her that any advice is greatly appreciated and VERY welcome. Later that evening she called me over to come "chat a spell" and she had something she wanted to give me. She sent Mr. Green to their deep freezer to get me some Beans (yes, they're runners!!). This variety has been passed down in their family for over 90 yrs. That just amazes me!!!

I got busy the following day pulling up cucumbers. I had pickled roughly 30 lbs. of cukes. I've had my fill!!! I decided that the beans were well worth the space, and it became very important for me to at least put up another 5 qts. I tilled, and made my trellis for the beans to run on. We had a very good soaking rain, followed by very hot weather. Within the past week my beans have sprouted, and grown about 7". I'm hopeful that I will end up with a good yield before frost.

The Lord has faithfully used this garden to comfort, and encourage me this Summer. I don't much like summer, but this time of sewing and reaping make the season much more bearable for me. It's also served as a great reminder of just how all the various blessings and trials work together to bring about greater fruit.

Like Mrs. Green said upon exiting my garden early in the season, "How could any man plant a bean, over time watch it grow, and deny the existence of a good God?".