A Work In Progress

After receiving emails with beautiful PowerPoint slide shows, I finally learned how to put one together. It's a work in progress with the pictures of the Eucharist, so far it's in the early stages. I just put some of the pictures and now it's placing them in chronological order. I did get to time them, there is no writing nor music yet. I didn't realize how much work and time it takes to put it all together. But the end result will be magnificent.

It's been a day of letting go too, I sent two pictures off to two people who belong to the Dominican chapter I belong to. They requested the one they wanted, unfortunately, I needed to obtain some ink in order to print them up. Off they went today to bring, hopefully, comfort and joy to their hearts. I placed one on the header of this blog and my other one, two different pictures of the Eucharist that God has given to me. I'm beginning to think it is almost time to show them. I know showing them was hard at the beginning, and time allowed me to learn as well as grow. A wonderful progress for sure.



The small garden that I planted is coming along nicely but the weeding is slow going. One would think they have a life of their own and want to grow just as much. There are some pole beans as well as bush beans, zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, green peppers, butternut squash, acorn squash and turnip. A very small garden with only a few of each. I think the most is two rows of string beans. All the rain we had enabled the seeds to sprout and flourish, climbing the pole already. God is so good.

I was surprised by a phone call today from Angel. I hadn't spoke to him since over a year ago. It was odd, since Saturday evening I had recently mentioned him in a conversation with Father Plasse about a mountain we had gone to one day. Amazing how God brings people into our lives. He said the most amazing thing to me, that I was a light that shone bright and I had touched his life. I'm just thankful that God touched mine so I could touch others. It's all for Him and through Him.

Yard Work Time

Momma Robin laying peacefully in the nest after I upset the area when I mowed. She definitely chirped up a storm loud enough to be heard over the mower. Good thing too, since the next picture is a nest of, I think baby rabbits, that I nearly stepped on and mowed over. It was close that when I moved away and shut off the push mower. I looked at the nest and saw quivering movement. I hope they are okay as I haven't seen any movement since. One thing for certain, momma Robin was on the up and up with the alert.


















After doing some mowing, not all of it since the riding lawn mower is broken. It's going to get done in stages, since the front lawn is all hill. I did the part of the back today as well as preping the garden. It's not going to be as big as last years. The side to where there is no plants by Jesus' statue, it's sandy from a previous pool long gone. Nothing grew there so that area is not getting done. Just will add some soil to restore and build it back up. I did move a few rhubarb to make a row. They look so wilted and Jesus looks quite perky. Thank goodness to my brother for letting us use his mini garden tiller. It actually worked pretty good this year. Since last years garden was all natural, it will be the same again this time. Only without some of the plants that didn't do well. Like the celery and a few others that for some reason started out good but they didn't do well around certain plants. And animals that had a field day with the roots. They always say plant more than needed to feed the wildlife as well.

It was a busy day all around. I began to wonder about the plants that are bought, are they natural ones or from the genetically altered ones. All the seeds that are bought are they the same way as well. Are there any left that have not been changed in some way. And they all have been laced by some growth chemical as they grow. Interesting how much is not natural anymore. I remember last year when we ate the tomatoes how good they were. And the difference from a farm. Those tomatoes had a strong taste of manure and even when manure is used there are chemicals from the feed as well. It may take years to clean out all the pollutants that inhabit so much of the world. What we thought was a good thing ends up not being as good as we thought.

A battle that somehow will be won. That reminds me of the awesome dream of a man who for some strange reason I took as St. Michael the Archangel. He was so huge in size, I was captivated by his hair of all things. But for some reason I knew it was St. Michael. It was the strangest way of seeing hair done is such a way that I couldn't help but stare at him. All I remember was a few words to the effect of conquering the devil, about doing a good job. And this I thought I said to him. There was something else but it is hard at this time for me to grapple with. It had to do with me dying. And I don't know if it is because of the casework I do dealing with people who have died and are dying and some very ill. With my own issues as well in regards to health. I know the one I wrote about was a phone call from a person relating their family. It's hard not being touched in some way. So in a way I have to wonder if in the back of my mind these people have somehow carried over into my sleep. But one thing I know for certain, that man in my dreams was St. Micheal.

Gardens

Vegetable Garden Wall Flower Garden

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This is the time of year where we begin again. The kids go back to school, new activities are started and old ones renewed. In spring we plant and make new things grow, but in the fall we clean up what has aged and died. Some are just beginning because of cooler temperatures. Where they thrive and become fruitful. Such is the case with some vegetables and flower plants. They turn a dying area into one of beauty. They become a beacon amidst decay.

There is much going on for preparation in the last few days, and I have to sit back and still myself so I can accomplish what needs to be done. Yet this is one weekend that is going to be busy as ever. We have rehearsal this morning for tomorrow's First Profession and class begins anew. It will be a grace filled day as we also welcome those who have gone through the Postulant class and are now being accepted. I had my dates mixed up in the spring because that was when the other class made their Final Temporary Profession, or as the Lay Fraternities call it a promise.

Well anyway, I was able to take some pictures before but didn't have a chance to post them, and yesterday I took one of the wall. Unfortunately it's next to where we park the cars and they were in the way for a good shot head on. One plant is blooming but looks like my nephew squished it in between two others. I had a chance to see the wall behind looks like it's about to fall apart so that too needs to be taken care of. Never ending work it seems, but a blessing all the same. I hope to post some more later. I also apologize for not being timely on responding to comments. I've been attempting to do a better job at answering. Your all a blessing in each one's unique way. God's love is in each one of you and I am thankful for the grace that touches each of our lives.

Early Night

The last few days have been in preparation for next Monday night. Lesson plans laid out, rules made and next is taking care of having the opening class agenda all set up. I even called the parents last night to remind them, also because one ended up with a wrong date and not knowing which one it was, they all got called. Tonight's going to be an early night for bed, since I need to be up around 3:30 a.m. to get ready for work. I need to take my mom to the hospital for a test and she has to be there about 6 a.m.

The garden is almost done, the tomatoes are slowly ebbing. Brussel sprouts are on the rise. String beans I just picked a huge bag full and they were big one's too, since it rained for a few days.I have a couple of watermelon that are coming along. The corn fizzled and the birds in the house enjoyed the tiny ears. All in all it was a great garden and the tomatoes tasted oh so good. You definitely can tell the difference when it is grown free of chemicals, it's awesome, just the way God intended.

My brothers and sister had given my mom some fall mums and we planted them on the wall that was rebuilt, I had put a curry and lavender plant there in the spring. With some everbearing strawberries. They all look good together on there. I did sprinkle in the spring the wildflower mix and a few had come in. Those are tough to figure out if they are weeds or flower plants. The area wild grapes are close to harvesting, some of them are soo sweet.

And to top it off it was a good day with thoughts on those who I have been praying for. One thing I know for certain is prayers are one of God's gifts for us to use. Prayer delights the soul and brings us closer to God. My day is always on Him, for Him and with Him. Listening to prayerful songs aslo enables us to pray twice and lifts our hearts in an ever greater form of prayer. I think most of us already know that anyway. What can I say that hasn't already been said by someone else, somewhere, somehow and from another time. I read, but I don't read a lot, so when inspiration comes it comes from the Holy Spirit. Which is an awesome thing God does for us. It's about that time to go to sleep so I'll end here and wish all a blessed good night.

Celery

Went and did some veggie picking and had a surprise. I looked over at where I planted celery and thought something was not quite right. There was a few plants missing and I thought, they aren't ready to be picked so I went over to look and when I looked down I saw the green tops on the mound of dirt as if wilted. So when I picked it up it was not attached to the plant. On top of it two other ones are missing with the peak of the tops on the ground. More or less the celery disappeared underground to be eaten by a vole, a veggie mole. At least I think it might me a vole, could have been a chipmunk too. There are enough mole trails around also.

It was funny because I couldn't help but remember a cartoon and carrots disappearing. To have eaten three of them, it is one hungry underground animal. And it's my first time growing celery too. They say to plant more than you need so that it may also feed the animals that pop in and feast.

I have been having quite a time picking pole beans, first time with them too. The leaves keep sticking to my clothes. Had a foot long part stick and get cut off from the plant with flowers on it. Butternut squash is coming along nicely. Never did get to plant turnip. Lost my acorn squash plants and a few yellow squash. Only had two mounds of acorn squash so it wasn't so devastating. The pickling cukes did good for a while and fizzled, but they look like they are making a come back. I think I have over watered them. The tomatoes are doing good, should be able to can a few jars. All in all, the garden wasn't planned out or prepped. It was done in a matter of two weeks at the start. So there is no complaint with the bounty of the plants. This is one true organic garden that's for sure. Just as original creation intended.

It's called back to the beginning where it all began, before pesticides and fertilizers took hold on us. The tomatoes are not staked, the pole beans are on tree branches. If I have the opportunity to do so again next year, I will know enough to prepare the soil first, by making sure there are no weeds and grass clumps like this year. That's why it is easy to understand the parable of the weeds. When we don't take care to keep ourselves free from sin, how preparing ourselves too has a part in it. I think it has a lot to do in how we look at it. And each one of us sees things differently, one sentence could say just one thing but to ten people it could say ten different meanings. If we put our minds like Christ, then we think like him.

Almost Done

Finished planting the last of the fruit and vegetables, with the exception of turnip. I need to get the seeds for that one and plant them. I did get to plant watermelon, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. This is one garden that is relying on time, water and the Lord. No pesticides and no growth stuff. It's called going back to the roots of our lives from the beginning when all that stuff wasn't invented and people survived very well. Nature is nature no matter how hard we try to tame it. God does have a way of rearranging our lives to suit his. Nature is the same when it is placed in his hands. Like how animals come around or how the air is sweet and-so-forth.

God has a way of taking care of the impossible when we least expect it. But then it's up to us to acknowledge him and all he does no matter how big or small it is. I think I have always done that all my life, thank him for the smallest thing to the biggest. It doesn't matter what it is as long as I do it. Same thing with any type of gift we are given in our spiritual lives, we may dislike it but no matter what it is ours. I am grateful for mine, even when I look foolish to others it allows me the grace to pray for another. With that in thought I thank you Dear Father for reminding me that I am at your service and the service of others.

Gardening

Yesterday was one for the record books for me. I planted half of the garden with the exception of the corn, yellow squash and maybe turnip which I love. I couldn't do anymore, I ended up with a nice sunburn. It was all done with love and holy water. I sprinkled the ground and prayed for God's blessing on what is being planted.

It has been over twenty years since I have done this type of outdoor work, other than the usual mowing and picking up sticks for burning. It was good work though and the garden now looks not so empty. I went to the Monastery yesterday for Mass and for a special rosary for mothers. That rosary was two hours long with only one mystery being done. It was awesome too.

Anyway there is something special I need to do on here. It will take me a bit since my sister and brother-in-law just popped over. So my time will be very brief as I must go.