Tag Archives: flowers

Happy #Earthday

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In the first verses of Genesis, we read that the heavens and the earth were created. That which makes us think of eternity (heavens) and that which reminds us of the here and now(earth). The earth is the foundation upon which we build our lives and homes. Today we celebrate the earth.

#kitchentableIt’s April and in Kentucky, it’s a little bit early for planting flowers, but planting or rooting starts to plants seems to be on the list of things do during our #healthyathome time; and planting focuses our thoughts on what’s to come. This is a photo of my kitchen table. If we must #stayhome much longer, I may need another table.

The potential that lives inside a seed is worth considering in our recognition of Earth Day 2020. While it’s early, I did go ahead and buy some marigolds. They are a hardy annual that is bright, and some say keep the mosquitoes away. When I purchase flowers for container gardening, I don’t choose the plants that are in full bloom. I leave those for people who need instant gratification. I choose the plants with a few blooms, but more buds than flowers. Those buds remind me that there is a beautiful flower yet to come. What better way to participate with nature then to watch it in action? To participate in the process by planting, watering, and weeding.

#lilacbushI’m also working on rooting a lilac bush from our front garden because my dad bought and planted it for me. It’s finally matured to bloom and be fragrant. I’d like to add to the lilac garden so instead of#growlilac buying more bushes, I want to propagate this one.

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action. Climate change poses challenges for people and animals around the world. That’s about all I know about climate change. But what I do know about the climate and the earth is that we are accountable for being good stewards of the resources that result from each. While I’m not great at recycling, I do feel like every plant I put in the ground offers something back to the climate and those of us who live around that plant. That is my contribution.

What can you do to contribute to be a good steward of the ground we walk and build on? The earth that farmers plant in and provide our food. The world our Creator made for us to inhabit. How will you show your gratefulness for what our climate provides – air, water, sun, fertile soil?

All the best,

KK

#annualsorperennials

 

 

 

 

Let’s connect!

Snow!

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Typically in Kentucky January and February are dreary, cloudy and cold months.  They are long and like walking through taffy to get to spring.  This year a winter polar blast has come to visit.  We are in the midst of very cold days and snow!  True to form, people are starting to grouse and wish this six-week visitor would pack its ice cycles and go home.

Beyond the initial mess these winter storms bring, the road crews have done well to get the streets cleared so being out and about lends an opportunity to experience the winter wonder land.  It’s amazing to see the sleeves of ice icy2coating each little limb and stem of the trees and shrubs.  I feel for our old pine tree with the burden of ice that pulls the branches downward from its 60 feet height.  But the sun is out today and is helping to melt away some of that load.  No doubt the strength of 20 plus years will sustain our wooden friend.  The sunshine is probably the great redeemer in this long winter visitor.  If you followed our dog around all day you would know the places in the house that the beams of light invade and remind us that warmth is available.

Yes, warmth is available and more is on its way.  In the next few weeks, whether Mr. Winter has departed or not, the early spring flowers will begin their reign and the seasonal tug-of-war will begin.  I like to think that right icynow beneath inches of snow and ice, my flowers are sleeping and building their strength.  Their time will come and when it does those beautiful and graceful buds will burst through whatever lays above.

Weather is wonderfully unpredictable.  But we can count on the seasons to change.  We can count on the snow and ice to melt and spring to arrive.  It will show up in all its color and glory.  Keep watching for it, but don’t miss the beauty that has beaten the winter doldrums.

All the best,

KK

Digging Spiritual Stuff

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Gardeners understand the connection between humans, nature and our Creator.  Didn’t make it to church for worship fall gardenthis morning but found myself with free time for the garden this afternoon.  The collision of digging in the dirt, cleaning out weeds, good music, and sunshine created in me a joyful and thankful heart.  It is continually amazing how connected humans are to the world created for them.

Feeling a good kind of tired,

KK

There is Hope

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There were several ideas I worked on for this week but nothing that excited me. Today, January 29th, it was a windy, cloudy, humid, balmy 67 degrees and so I strolled the yard to see how th20130129-220506.jpge garden was wintering.

There among the dead remnants of last summer’s colorful splendor, I found hope for the coming spring. It seems the tulips have peeked out to check out the situation for further growth. The site brought immediate encouragement that in spite of the crazy weather — up and down temperatures — the renewal of spring will come.

So, my friend, take a deep breath and relax, the gray blustery, non-snowy winter will serve it’s purpose and move on at the insistence of spring’s arrival.

All the best,
KK

Gardening in the spiritual sense

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Many times on Sunday afternoon after church and our family lunch, Jay will retire to a nap, Cole to the couch for relaxing with some TV and I head for the yard.  Some might call what I do, “yard work”, but for someone like me who works in a professional setting, climate controlled office 40+ hours a week, it’s much, much more than that; even though I end up hot, sweaty and very dirty.

I like plants and flowers and have garden areas in the front and back of our home.  It’s still absolutely amazing to me to plant a seed or small flower and watch it grow.  Isn’t that amazing?  Most of the time while pulling weeds or trimming I think about the sermon from that morning, our Creator and this earth He gave us that we so readily consume without a second thought.  Sometimes I think about all my questions for God, like “are weeds that bloom really weeds or just misplaced flowers?”  Today, I planted mums (.88 cents at Home Depot) and my trees from the Arbor Foundation (www.arborday.org).   Today I thought about the legacy of gardening I’ve inherited.  Family legend has it that my MaMaw Bray could poke a hole in the ground with her finger, put a stick in it and grow a tree.  My mother is a gardener and gave me something close to a stick with roots last spring assuring me if I put it in the ground I will have a Butterfly bush.  I did what I was told and sure enough there grew a Butterfly bush that was very busy this afternoon.

Being outside trimming and cleaning up the garden reminds me of how we should constantly be aware of how God nips and prunes us to become the beautiful person He sees when He looks at us.  At the end of my time outside I usually turn on the hose and give all the flowers a drink, hose down the sidewalk and my feet.  What a wonderful site and fresh smell; completely natural.

Ok, so to top it off, I like to mow also.  In fact, I’m a little sad that my son is getting old enough and motivated (by the pay) to want to mow.  It’s like getting a haircut.  You start out a little unkempt and in an hour you have a clean, well-manicured look and feel.  The same holds true for your lawn.  Within a short time (and even when you don’t edge) you have a tidy looking yard.  To make mowing really appealing in today’s vernacular; it’s pretty much instant gratification.  There, I said it.

Coming in from the garden I am sticky, dirty, and if I’ve worn a cap it’s pretty much sweat-plastered to my head until I’m safely in the bathroom where no one can see the mess of my hair.  I always feel my cleanest after a post-gardening shower.  From a dirty mess to clean and fresh, huh, pretty much the point the pastor was trying to make.

Think about it,

KK