Saturday, February 17, 2018

To remind me. . . . . . .


. . . . . . of how precious life is and how quickly
 it can be taken away.


I worked in the garden yesterday morning for a few hours. 
It was incredibly hot for mid-February and broke the record for the date
 reaching 81F. I enjoyed a mini breakfast out on the front porch, the air felt so good. 
Came in damp and tired, feeling pleased with myself for accomplishing some small
 chores which needed attention.
Today will be much cooler with rain later, the garden will only be viewed
 from the windows.

I pruned the Japanese maple, also took a few more lower twigs off the Celeste fig tree.
I fertilized all the Spring bulbs scattered throughout both front and back garden beds,
 natural areas, and in large pots. I left the potting shed door open for a burst of
 fresh air and, when I returned to put away my gloves and tools, in with the air
 had flown one of the always inquisitive Carolina wrens.
 I chatted with her as she hopped around inside, not scared, just checking things 
out before flying off. How can one chat with a tiny bird? Quite easily!



I cut just 17 daffodils and jonquils for the dining room, some in full bloom, 
others still in bud.They are my way of remembering those 17 precious people
 taken from their families and friends in the Florida school shooting this week.

9 comments:

  1. Working in the garden is a wonderful way to find peace and calm the mind. There are young voices coming out of the school shooting who are spotlighting the hypocrisy in politics and policy making around gun control. I do hope they continue to rise up and demand change.

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  2. This was a beautiful and touching post, Mary, thank you.
    I am also thinking of the countless children and babies who die every day in countries like Sudan and elsewhere, because their parents can not feed them or provide adequate medical care. Not enough flowers in this world :-(

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  3. When the news of these latest school shootings came the first place I headed was my garden. To me there is no better place to be when the world seems too heavy and makes no sense. Your idea to clip one daffodil for each life lost is lovely. My daffodils aren't blooming yet or I would be tempted to do the same thing here.
    Your potting shed looks like another place to find solace and I can completely understand your conversation with the wren. I've been known to do a bit of chatting with the birds while toiling in the garden.
    Wasn't yesterday glorious? Hard to stay indoors on a day like that. Thanks for the reminder to fertilize the spring bulbs. I am bad about remembering when to fertilize my plants.
    Enjoy your weekend, Mary.

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  4. It's a sad time for our nation...your jonquils are lovely, and the visit of your little wren. I think these things are always sweet reminders that even in an evil world their is beauty and love.

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  5. What a special beautiful thing to do... There is healing in doing the simple chores and finding ways to honor the sacred.

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  6. How beautiful to have daffodils blooming in your garden, and a beautiful gesture of memory for the 17. So sad that these events happen, and as an Australian I also find it puzzling.

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  7. You take your love of nature and garden prep in increments, Mary---I love that and hope I can do this in peace, in the spring, as well.

    Oh...a bird in your potting house! Precious. I believe its a good sign---of something!! Well, you know me!

    Love to you,

    Jane

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  8. I'm sure you had a very meaningful chat with your little bird friend. I think it's very touching that you chose to bring in 17 flowers.

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