Thursday, June 15, 2006
I'm still new at this - Part 2
Okay, apparently problem in Part 1 has corrected itself. I shall sleep better tonight knowing all is well.
I'm still new at this...
Okay, I changed my template/set-up today, and my previous post suddenly would not allow comments. I don't know what I did to set that up, but I would like to leave my adoring fans (or nasty critics, as the case may be) the option of giving me feedback...so if anyone out there knows what I did wrong, please let me know!
I think I'm addicted...
Since I was introduced to the world of blogging just a couple of weeks ago (thanx wm!), I have been sucked into the black hole of cyberspace! I can't help myself, I just keep clicking 'next blog' like some kind of junkie. Like the gambler, I am always hoping that 'the next one will be the payoff' - something in ENGLISH, that isn't about politics or World Cup Soccer. Fortunately, my kids and hubby jerk me back into the real world every now and then with questions like:
Are we gonna have supper any time soon?
Are you coming to bed tonight?
Did you accidentally crazy-glue your index finger to the mouse?
I am one who easily gets addicted to things--games, food, hobbies--usually nothing too dangerous (I thank God I never gave smoking an honest try!), and usually not for an extended amount of time. Probably because I do really care about people more. Herein lies the problem: there are a lot of people out there blogging about some serious issues, and I can't help but feel like they need me to listen! I think I am officially co-dependent. I've always suspected it, but now I'm convinced. I feel sorry for those who post for months & months, and never get any comments. Of course, not everyone that's out there blogging is looking for feedback, but what if they are? So, when I come across someone who seems like they are, I usually try to send them a friendly comment. Just doing my part to make the world a better place!
Well, I think I should get on with my day...groceries to buy, flowers to water, laundry to do, supper to plan...I should probably bake some cookies today, as my youngest reminded me that I said I would yesterday, with just a little guilt-trip dripping off the end. Sorry to all my fellow bloggers out there, but today my little one needs me to be the hero and bake some cookies, so hopefully someone else will read your posts and make your day! See, I can quit anytime I want...
Are we gonna have supper any time soon?
Are you coming to bed tonight?
Did you accidentally crazy-glue your index finger to the mouse?
I am one who easily gets addicted to things--games, food, hobbies--usually nothing too dangerous (I thank God I never gave smoking an honest try!), and usually not for an extended amount of time. Probably because I do really care about people more. Herein lies the problem: there are a lot of people out there blogging about some serious issues, and I can't help but feel like they need me to listen! I think I am officially co-dependent. I've always suspected it, but now I'm convinced. I feel sorry for those who post for months & months, and never get any comments. Of course, not everyone that's out there blogging is looking for feedback, but what if they are? So, when I come across someone who seems like they are, I usually try to send them a friendly comment. Just doing my part to make the world a better place!
Well, I think I should get on with my day...groceries to buy, flowers to water, laundry to do, supper to plan...I should probably bake some cookies today, as my youngest reminded me that I said I would yesterday, with just a little guilt-trip dripping off the end. Sorry to all my fellow bloggers out there, but today my little one needs me to be the hero and bake some cookies, so hopefully someone else will read your posts and make your day! See, I can quit anytime I want...
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
How Can You Tell I'm New At This?
Okay, I know this isn't that complicated, but leave it to me to screw it up somehow! So this posting should really have the other title, "How Does Your Garden Grow?":)
Yesterday, I finished all of my flower bed/garden planting for the season. That is to say, whatever I've bought so far is in the ground. Technically I have no more dirt to put things into, so reluctantly, I'm done. Our yard is in the process of being developed, and more beds will be put in eventually, but for now I must be happy with what I have. I will have to restrain myself now from going into the garden centres for fear of finding another beautiful little life to nurture and cultivate and encourage to grow, blossom and bear fruit as the case may be. Gardening brings me such satisfaction. I have seen that with a little hard work and persistence, I can take something small and fragile and help it to realize it's full potential--in a few short months. And then there's more: I can enjoy 'the fruits of my labor'--the beautiful colors & designs, the aromas, the textures and the tastes --a feast for the senses.
Yes, it is a labor of love for me (not 'a love of labor', as some critics of gardeners will accuse!), but it's not always pretty. One of the hardest things for me is "pinching back" those plants just after you put them in the ground. That's right--that delicate new life that you have just given a permanent home to, pinch off the most beautiful part of it and throw that away! It's a painful, ugly part of the process of establishing roots and encouraging new, stronger growth. And I've done it enough now to know it really works! But then there's all those forces of nature that come into play. While the sun and the rain are absolutely necessary for growth, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. I must be diligent and help to maintain a healthy balance (thank the Lord, He takes care of most of it!) by supplementing where necessary and planting in just the right spot. And then there's those horrible summer storms that come along and seem determined to shred my plants to pieces, even rip them right out of the ground. Last summer, just as my gardens were 'taking off', we had a major hailstorm that nearly destroyed everything I had planted earlier. Amazingly, everything revived and in fact some plants grew back stronger than ever. And let's not forget about the nastiest enemies of all, insects and disease. Just when you thought all was going well and you were doing everything right, these guys sneak in undetected. Usually, by the time you notice that there's a problem, more damage has been done than is visible to the naked eye. Hopefully, you identify the problem quickly and treat it properly, or you may lose this battle. The health of neighboring plants is also in jeopardy--this enemy has no problem finding another host--eliminate it--squash it dead--at your first opportunity! And to keep this pest from coming back, put things in place to protect your vulnerable plants--sometimes as easy as something like "companion planting" (surround with plants that keep pests/disease away, or that host bigger, badder bugs!).
I could really go on and on. And in case you haven't noticed, Gardening is more to me than a hobby: It is a metaphor for Life. We all start out as seedlings, and depending on our life experience, we end up flourishing or floundering. I am grateful for the many caring gardeners in my life who have done their best to help me grow into the person I am today, and I am determined to care for my children and others who depend on me the same way.
Well, the sun is shining and my plants are looking thirsty, so I'd better get outside. Feels good to be needed sometimes, doesn't it?
For more reading on this subject, check out John 15:1-8.
Yesterday, I finished all of my flower bed/garden planting for the season. That is to say, whatever I've bought so far is in the ground. Technically I have no more dirt to put things into, so reluctantly, I'm done. Our yard is in the process of being developed, and more beds will be put in eventually, but for now I must be happy with what I have. I will have to restrain myself now from going into the garden centres for fear of finding another beautiful little life to nurture and cultivate and encourage to grow, blossom and bear fruit as the case may be. Gardening brings me such satisfaction. I have seen that with a little hard work and persistence, I can take something small and fragile and help it to realize it's full potential--in a few short months. And then there's more: I can enjoy 'the fruits of my labor'--the beautiful colors & designs, the aromas, the textures and the tastes --a feast for the senses.
Yes, it is a labor of love for me (not 'a love of labor', as some critics of gardeners will accuse!), but it's not always pretty. One of the hardest things for me is "pinching back" those plants just after you put them in the ground. That's right--that delicate new life that you have just given a permanent home to, pinch off the most beautiful part of it and throw that away! It's a painful, ugly part of the process of establishing roots and encouraging new, stronger growth. And I've done it enough now to know it really works! But then there's all those forces of nature that come into play. While the sun and the rain are absolutely necessary for growth, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. I must be diligent and help to maintain a healthy balance (thank the Lord, He takes care of most of it!) by supplementing where necessary and planting in just the right spot. And then there's those horrible summer storms that come along and seem determined to shred my plants to pieces, even rip them right out of the ground. Last summer, just as my gardens were 'taking off', we had a major hailstorm that nearly destroyed everything I had planted earlier. Amazingly, everything revived and in fact some plants grew back stronger than ever. And let's not forget about the nastiest enemies of all, insects and disease. Just when you thought all was going well and you were doing everything right, these guys sneak in undetected. Usually, by the time you notice that there's a problem, more damage has been done than is visible to the naked eye. Hopefully, you identify the problem quickly and treat it properly, or you may lose this battle. The health of neighboring plants is also in jeopardy--this enemy has no problem finding another host--eliminate it--squash it dead--at your first opportunity! And to keep this pest from coming back, put things in place to protect your vulnerable plants--sometimes as easy as something like "companion planting" (surround with plants that keep pests/disease away, or that host bigger, badder bugs!).
I could really go on and on. And in case you haven't noticed, Gardening is more to me than a hobby: It is a metaphor for Life. We all start out as seedlings, and depending on our life experience, we end up flourishing or floundering. I am grateful for the many caring gardeners in my life who have done their best to help me grow into the person I am today, and I am determined to care for my children and others who depend on me the same way.
Well, the sun is shining and my plants are looking thirsty, so I'd better get outside. Feels good to be needed sometimes, doesn't it?
For more reading on this subject, check out John 15:1-8.
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