Opposite Evolutions

I had a delightful lunch with an old and dear friend today.  Let's just call her "Pat".   Pat is from out of town now, having moved south a few years ago, after living in New York for the first sixty years of her life.   She is staying with a high school friend, visiting relatives and leaving soon to spend time with her daughter and grandchildren in Rochester.  She came without her husband this time.  He had some health concerns that prohibit him from traveling, at the moment.  This is the longest she has ever been away from him, being away almost three weeks, I think.

I could not help but marvel at Pat's developmental curve, and how different hers is from mine.  What I mean is, her large adventures and 'branching out' seem to be taking place in her more mature years.  Last year she and a  girlfriend took a trip to Los Angeles, rented a car, visited relatives, etc.  She used to be terrified of water and could not even bear to be near it.   Now she can even ride in a boat.   She no longer waits on her husband as much,  and is much more independent and adventurous.

My own more mature inclinations are just the opposite.  I spent much of my adult life being outrageously  independent,  having all kinds of adventures,  traveling to a great variety of places,  moving dozens and dozens of times  Pat and hubby lived in the same house for forty years, until recently.  I'm not sure I could even count all the places I've lived.   Now, my inclination is to enjoy the community in which I live,  to enjoy our home;   I'm not terribly interested in any far away, exciting trips.   I'm enjoying being domestic now, though that has certainly not always been the case. I'm a homebody.

I want a mellow life, settled, rooted, routine.

It is rather fascinating how our life paths take us along different curves and arcs and inclinations.

Like fingerprints and snowflakes, no two are the same.

Plants

Today I am vigorously removing a huge batch of day lilies which have completely overtaken my flower bed.  I've decided that I want something 'creeping' rather than towering.  What a task!  I realize now, that even though I can dig up huge root balls, and remove all the green parts,  there are literally thousands and thousands of the tiny bulb-lets in the ground beneath where I dug up.  I probably just cut off the top parts. I'm sure they will be back next year!

 Anyway, it was an arduous task.  I plan to save a bunch of the bulbs and try to give them away.  The color is a lovely peach color.   In the process,  I discovered some "volunteer" corn.  I knew I had volunteer tomatoes  (from last year's fallen fruit) in the vegetable garden, but was surprised to find the corn.  Then I realized that it had to be a gift from a bird, left behind.  I had my bird feeder in that exact spot.  Isn't nature wonderful?  Powerful.

I also admired the lovely blossom on the dahlia plant.  This is the first time I have ever grown a dahlia, and find the flower exquisite.  Its petals are not flat, like a daisy, but round like an apple.

Quite lovely!

I think perhaps one of the reasons why I enjoy plants so much, and nature in general is because it contains within itself that circle of life that I have internalized as my faith.

Birth to life to death to resurrection!








Christmas to Easter.

Checking In

Life has been full and interesting lately, though I haven't found much in the way of 'inspirational blog topics'.  We enjoyed a family picnic on Sunday, because V&M were here for the weekend.  When they travel up from Long Island,  the rest of the family comes over for a get-together and a meal.  This was the first family meal in a long time intended to be outside (picnic) and with disposable tableware. We did manage to get most of our meal eaten before it rained and we were driven inside.  Thankfully, we have been blessed with several good rains to replenish the earth!  And shortly thereafter, the grass needed to be cut, for the first time in weeks.

I usually take pictures of the grandchildren, or of my children, or their families, or of Gerry.  This time, I was inspired to ask if I could take a picture of my sons-in-law.  It is so interesting to me how similar they are.  All of them are approximately the same height, with the same build, and the same color hair. (very similar to Gerry, actually).  When he still had his hair, it was the same color as theirs. He also is close in height and build. I wonder if there was something subconscious going on there???

Since I do not have permission to "publish" this, I won't assign names, or indicate their spouses,  but I must say I have very fine "sons".  I couldn't be more proud!

Sweet Rain

I can't recall how long ago it was that we had rain.  Weeks and weeks, at least.  The grass is brown, the plants are thirsty.  Today was the first good soaking rain we have had in quite some time.  I notice first of all the smell of a good rain.  I got one deep breath full and loved it.  This evening it is quite cool, in the sixties!  It is pure bliss.

Sadly, I hear on the news that the southern part of the country is suffering from 110 and above dangerous temperatures.  My heart goes out to them.  I also see that there is a serious drought in many areas,  which has devasted the plants, animals, and earth!   Of particular interest,  the news commentator mentioned the dangers for athletes, and how coaches have never dealt with temperatures this bad before. How will they decide to cancel the practice?  As a parent, I think I would make that decision on my children's behalf.

Whatever the causes,  we are clearly in a time of extreme weather patterns, from hurricanes to droughts, from blizzards to extreme heat to wildfires.

Some would rush to say it is because of global warming;  others would propose that God's judgment is near.

I do not know the reasons or the explanations or the meaning.  I don't have those answers.  I do find comfort in knowing the one in whom I believe, and confidence in the life I anticipate ahead.