Who loves a garden
Finds within his soul
Life’s whole,
He hears the anthem of the soil
While ingrates toil;
And sees beyond his little sphere
The waving fronds of heaven, clear.
~Louise Seymour Jones
I’ve been trying to figure out today what it is about a garden that is so seductive and irresistible for me, but I’m still no closer to an answer than when I’ve pondered it before. I just know that something in nature calls to me and touches me on a deep level, brings glad music to my heart, and feeds “life’s whole” within my soul. That’s why the losses due to last weekend’s dirty “trick” have struck a grievous blow to my heart which in turn has sent me sinking down, down, down into what one writer has called winter’s “vale of grief.” Normally I can shake things off pretty quickly, but in addition to that casualty the arthritis in my left knee and left foot have me hobbling around on a cane, unable to get outside and do things that need to be done in the garden, and that’s creating a bluer than blue, bluish “funk.” Now after spending way too much time inside, stationary and feeling a bit sorry for myself, I’m STARVED!!! Like a junkie, I need my “fix.” I need to hear the “anthem of the soil.” Moreover, I need to touch the earth and dig in the dirt. I need to feel Eden’s beating heart, her rhythms. I need to hear the birds singing over my head. I need color. I need to see things growing and to look upon flowery faces, even a wretched dandelion would do. I need to feel the sun’s warmth on my back. And as much as anything else I need to feel God’s palpable presence in my tiny corner of His sanctum sanctorum.
Alas, sadly, I’m afraid it will be sometime before all those needs are met. So I dug around on Pinterest board’s trying to find the kinds of images that typically draw me into a garden’s web of magic and glory. Since I have no way of knowing when Old Man Winter will return to his arctic cave nor when my body will stop betraying me, they and a a little garden poetry will have to suffice.
From there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find him if you search after him with all your heart and soul. ~Deuteronomy 4:29 ✝
Sacred Touches 
Pingback: 299. Last weekend, there came a bitter cold snap, which did great damage to my garden…It is sad that Nature plays such tricks on us poor mortals, inviting us with sunny smiles to confide in her, and then, when we are entirely within her power, strik
I should think a stool or chair out in the green house could benefit from a visit and that perhaps a few new seeds may need planting in tiny pots as new sprouting seedlings may need some tending to, perhaps being transplanted to larger pots.
Perhaps some lovely container gardens could be lovingly assembled for distribution to shut-ins or those in the hospital—just thinking out loud 😉
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James did take me a stool out there today but most of the stuff in there is spent. I have one pot of seedlings going and I’ll do more in the next few days or so. Then I put a pot of pansies on the patio along with the foxglove that had been in the greenhouse and all that helped. I’m just so worried about all my roses. They’ve just never been this hurt this late. I know they’ll eventually come back, at least most of them will, but I think they may not have time to set the buds for the big spring bloom before it gets to hot and they perish in a days time. In all my years of gardening, I’ve just never seen this severe a set back this late. Oh will, this too shall pass as will my blue funk. Thanks for the helpful suggestions. Hugs and love, Natalie 🙂 🙂 🙂
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If you could see how bad things look here, you’d feel slightly better— especially after mr. chainsaw finished— it all looks just so terrible. And part of the fight was my fussing that he’d butchered things that were starting to “reve” up—and whack went my ornamental dogwoods, whack went the azaleas, whack to even my massive rosemary bush (but it probably needed it)—but even the yews looked as if the bitter cold had taken a toll if not having killed them—along with my native azaleas—so between Gregory and Mr. Winter, I’ll be lucky if the crabgrass rebounds!
I lost my last rose bush last summer—between the moles and the heat—my last hope, the blueberry bushes 🙂
I’m sorry you’ve been hurting so–prayers for relief as I think if you felt better physically you could muster the resolve to mount a valiant effort for the garden!
I will pray in earnest–
hugs to you my friend —
cookie
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You warm our hearts with your words. I say that, not to flatter you, but because it is true and I think you need to hear it! Springtime is coming soon. So is Jesus! Be warmed and filled with that thought. ((((((((hugs))))))))
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How sweet! That brought tears to my eyes; I did need to hear it. Yes, springtime is coming soon and so is our blessed Jesus!!! Thanks for the uplifting thoughts, my friend. Hugs, Natalie 🙂
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Bless your heart, I’m so sorry Mr. Chainsaw did such a number on your yard, but thanks for the laughs. I needed those. Things will eventually be okay for both of us. It’s the waiting that’s hard part.
Thanks for cheering me up. Love, N
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I’m sorry about that and hope you’ll be back to your cheerful self soon, Natalie. I remember being heart broken many times in my last garden as late snow and frost destroyed my beloved plants. Later then I was surprised to see how they fought back though – so chin up 🙂
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Thank you, Annette, for the encouraging words. Have a great week. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
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Oh, Natalie, thank goodness there’s so many gorgeous photos on Pinterest! Still, it’s not quite the same, is it? Maybe a couple of good books will help while away the time til Spring shows up for good…. Take care!
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Thank you. I did go buy two new books of poetry today. Maybe that will help me, as you said, until Spring shows up. Blessings, Natalie 🙂
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