April 21, 2008
It rained all night last night and much of the morning. But now the sun is shining brightly here and the birds are singing. Of course, they sing when it is raining, too.
The rain will be great for the Easter lilies I planted yesterday. Not being a gardener at all, I didn't realize that lilies - being bulb plants - come back to life every year, no matter how dead they happen to look in their little Easter pots. So, I brought home three dead-looking Easter lilies and planted them in the garden that contains the daffodils and tulips. They will be a nice addition next year.
I think I would like to plant day-lily bulbs this year where my pansy patch is. I have always been a big fan of the day lily, especially the orange variety. It is a grand, tall flower but it has a sort of everday-ness about it that is homey. And of course, they would come back every year, unlike the pansies.
My favorite spot in the yard right now is the bedroom-end of the house where the most hot-pink azalea I have ever seen is blooming beneath my daughter's bedroom window, in sharp contrast to kids' climbing tree which is befrilled with white dogwood blossoms at the moment.
I have no fewer than 10 blooming dogwoods in my yard and along the creek right now. Truly amazing. I'll have to find something new to write about soon. I'm sure both of my readers are getting tired of reading about spring in Virginia.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Pansy Patch
April 20, 2008
I have been writing a lot about my yard lately, and it truly is a beautiful surprise to watch all of the perennials come to life after the dreary winter. My only contribution to this hopeful picture has been a pansy patch behind the mailbox - annuals, not perennials.
It is a modest patch, bounded by scalloped bricks - a yellow and purple patchwork there at the corner of the drive -- determined to look bright, not shabby.
But that small patch required literally hours of work one fine Sunday. And it made me stop and think of that passage in the Bible in which Jesus compares souls to the different types of soil one can sow seed in. Rocky soil, fertile (but weedy) soil, good soil, etc.
If souls are anything like soil, God truly has His work cut out for him.
The place where I chose to plant my pansies was hard, very hard. Partly thanks to the cement in which the mailbox was sunk into the ground. But I had to have the pansies there. Some bright something was needed at that corner -- no matter how hard the ground was.
So, first I watered the area, and watered it. Of course, that meant dragging the hose all the way to the front corner of the property.
And I thought of all the trouble God goes to in order to water our souls, to make them softer and more receptive to His word. For me, that could have been all of the good experiences I had of Church and Christians in my early life. Bible school, Sunday school, kindly pastors.
After watering the area for my pansy patch, I had to go at it with a shovel and hoe because there was no way I could plant flowers where the grass was already growing. Our lives, too, can be overgrown with grass and weeds - distractions, obsessions. What-have-you. For me, the hardships of life have been like that shovel and hoe turning my weed-covered life over to reveal fresh soil and a different take on life and its meaning.
Could there really be something more important than temporal success? Early adulthood was definitely shovel and hoe time for me.
Even after I had turned the soil, it didn't look very inviting. It was rather rocky. So I spent some time clearing the patch and pitching the rocks into the ditch. Rooting out the major flaws in the garden. But even then, I worried for the flowers I would plant there. Would there be enough good soil for them to take root?
Luckily, I had bought a bag of good, rich garden soil at Lowe's. This I poured evenly into my little rectangle of a garden. Now I felt certain that the pansies would survive.
Before I could take the Christian life seriously, my soul needed a great deal of enriching. But I was truly blessed by becoming a Catholic in Memphis where there is a small but absolutely vibrant Catholic community. I learned my faith by watching and talking to lifelong and devoted Catholics and by reading books by many learned Catholics and converts to the Faith.
When the seeds of faith were finally planted, they took root. My conversion is the one decision in my life that I have not second-guessed - not even once. I am everlastingly grateful for being led to the Church. And humbled by it.
I know that each of us has a purpose, perhaps as humble as the purpose of my flower patch. To brighten a corner of the world. To be a beacon for even one person. That is enough.
I have been writing a lot about my yard lately, and it truly is a beautiful surprise to watch all of the perennials come to life after the dreary winter. My only contribution to this hopeful picture has been a pansy patch behind the mailbox - annuals, not perennials.
It is a modest patch, bounded by scalloped bricks - a yellow and purple patchwork there at the corner of the drive -- determined to look bright, not shabby.
But that small patch required literally hours of work one fine Sunday. And it made me stop and think of that passage in the Bible in which Jesus compares souls to the different types of soil one can sow seed in. Rocky soil, fertile (but weedy) soil, good soil, etc.
If souls are anything like soil, God truly has His work cut out for him.
The place where I chose to plant my pansies was hard, very hard. Partly thanks to the cement in which the mailbox was sunk into the ground. But I had to have the pansies there. Some bright something was needed at that corner -- no matter how hard the ground was.
So, first I watered the area, and watered it. Of course, that meant dragging the hose all the way to the front corner of the property.
And I thought of all the trouble God goes to in order to water our souls, to make them softer and more receptive to His word. For me, that could have been all of the good experiences I had of Church and Christians in my early life. Bible school, Sunday school, kindly pastors.
After watering the area for my pansy patch, I had to go at it with a shovel and hoe because there was no way I could plant flowers where the grass was already growing. Our lives, too, can be overgrown with grass and weeds - distractions, obsessions. What-have-you. For me, the hardships of life have been like that shovel and hoe turning my weed-covered life over to reveal fresh soil and a different take on life and its meaning.
Could there really be something more important than temporal success? Early adulthood was definitely shovel and hoe time for me.
Even after I had turned the soil, it didn't look very inviting. It was rather rocky. So I spent some time clearing the patch and pitching the rocks into the ditch. Rooting out the major flaws in the garden. But even then, I worried for the flowers I would plant there. Would there be enough good soil for them to take root?
Luckily, I had bought a bag of good, rich garden soil at Lowe's. This I poured evenly into my little rectangle of a garden. Now I felt certain that the pansies would survive.
Before I could take the Christian life seriously, my soul needed a great deal of enriching. But I was truly blessed by becoming a Catholic in Memphis where there is a small but absolutely vibrant Catholic community. I learned my faith by watching and talking to lifelong and devoted Catholics and by reading books by many learned Catholics and converts to the Faith.
When the seeds of faith were finally planted, they took root. My conversion is the one decision in my life that I have not second-guessed - not even once. I am everlastingly grateful for being led to the Church. And humbled by it.
I know that each of us has a purpose, perhaps as humble as the purpose of my flower patch. To brighten a corner of the world. To be a beacon for even one person. That is enough.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Prayers, car trouble
April 11, 2008
So, I know all the reasons to be grateful: I wasn't driving on the highway when my car died. I was in my own neighborhood, although at least a mile from home. And some nice folks helped me.
Yes, I am grateful, but I have also been an irritiable so-and-so all day. My husband just worked on the car before he went out of town, but somehow the alternator was loose and the battery was drained and - of course - I left my cell phone at home and had to borrow from the neighbor who helped us - and who I don't know at all as they live around and down the hill and we just moved here last September.
But, I was going to visit a friend 20 miles away today. She had to cancel at the last minute. It could have happened on the way there. I am lucky it didn't. We were going across town on the highway tomorrow. It could have happened on 581, and that would've been a big problem.
Here's an even better piece of luck. The couple who helped us out have a nephew who is service manager at the garage in town and they sent us to them to fix the alternator. So, I am really lucky.
My other car has a lapsed registration because it didn't pass inspection and so I have to get something in it repaired before I have it registered. Meanwhile, I'm driving a lapsed registration vehicle to softball practices. I hope to have my old car back tomorrow - at a relatively low cost.
Another good point: Hubby got paid today although he is at a conference in Nevada. So, at least, I can afford to have the car fixed.
I certainly don't sound very spiritual in this post. I'm beginning to think of Virginia as the PLACE WHERE THINGS BREAK - OR DON'T WORK - giving the house flooding and other issues we have seen here.
My phone went out earlier this week and I had to buy a new splitter for the modem. I'm starting to feel like I can actually handle mechanical things - or at least hire people who can handle mechanical things. I definitely am an idiot when it comes to cars. I wasn't even sure where the hood release was.
But when my car died, I did say my prayers for help and I got help. So, if there is any spiritual bent to this post it is that prayers are answered. Life cannot be trouble-free, but prayers can be answered.
So, I know all the reasons to be grateful: I wasn't driving on the highway when my car died. I was in my own neighborhood, although at least a mile from home. And some nice folks helped me.
Yes, I am grateful, but I have also been an irritiable so-and-so all day. My husband just worked on the car before he went out of town, but somehow the alternator was loose and the battery was drained and - of course - I left my cell phone at home and had to borrow from the neighbor who helped us - and who I don't know at all as they live around and down the hill and we just moved here last September.
But, I was going to visit a friend 20 miles away today. She had to cancel at the last minute. It could have happened on the way there. I am lucky it didn't. We were going across town on the highway tomorrow. It could have happened on 581, and that would've been a big problem.
Here's an even better piece of luck. The couple who helped us out have a nephew who is service manager at the garage in town and they sent us to them to fix the alternator. So, I am really lucky.
My other car has a lapsed registration because it didn't pass inspection and so I have to get something in it repaired before I have it registered. Meanwhile, I'm driving a lapsed registration vehicle to softball practices. I hope to have my old car back tomorrow - at a relatively low cost.
Another good point: Hubby got paid today although he is at a conference in Nevada. So, at least, I can afford to have the car fixed.
I certainly don't sound very spiritual in this post. I'm beginning to think of Virginia as the PLACE WHERE THINGS BREAK - OR DON'T WORK - giving the house flooding and other issues we have seen here.
My phone went out earlier this week and I had to buy a new splitter for the modem. I'm starting to feel like I can actually handle mechanical things - or at least hire people who can handle mechanical things. I definitely am an idiot when it comes to cars. I wasn't even sure where the hood release was.
But when my car died, I did say my prayers for help and I got help. So, if there is any spiritual bent to this post it is that prayers are answered. Life cannot be trouble-free, but prayers can be answered.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Dogwoods, Lilacs and Libraries
April 10,
I keep finding new reasons to like my yard. Mind you, the yard was the attractive part of the home when we bought it. But spring is really showing it to advantage. Yesterday, I discovered we have young dogwood trees growing by the creek, and today I found two lilac bushes growing out by the deck, one white and one purple. Spring has really sprung here and it was a beautiful day for the park, where we met some new homeschool friends from the next county over.
So, we are having a nice day and I'm glad to be homeschooling, especially as I listen to some of the moms with kids in public high school talk.
Then we were off the library - one of my favorite haunts - although I don't usually like to go after school hours because it is so crazy. I loaded up on books about China as we are studying that next week and Olivia got Kit's World because she is reading all of the American Girl books about Kit and the Great Depression right now.
The library checkout is just in front of a book display - choices by the library's Teen Council. Olivia pointed to one. The title was Cut in red letters with an x slashed beneath it and you could tell from the other words on the cover that it was all about that sad psychological phenomenon of "cutting," which is kind of like self-mutilation. It is RIGHT in front of the kids DVDs, too. Not appreciating it. The other Teen picks were like the Sorcerer's Bride and Vampire Tales and other really down and dirty depressing stuff.
Yuck.
I think the next time I go to the library will be by myself and I plan to mention how little I appreciate the placement of those "edgy" books. Plus, the graffiti in the bathroom is terrible. This is one of my, "what's the world coming to?" posts. And how in the world can I make a real difference aside from affecting the lives of my own children?
I was glad to come home to my beautiful yard and quiet home where my kids love to read and play together.
But I know that people of good conscience cannot check out of society. We must stand up for what we believe in. There is a great article on lifesitenews.com about a Canadian teacher who is being suspended from his job for writing letters to the editor regarding his traditional Christian beliefs on homosexuality. How about some free speech? That right is being eroded in Canada and that certainly could happen here. It is something to take seriously.
I keep finding new reasons to like my yard. Mind you, the yard was the attractive part of the home when we bought it. But spring is really showing it to advantage. Yesterday, I discovered we have young dogwood trees growing by the creek, and today I found two lilac bushes growing out by the deck, one white and one purple. Spring has really sprung here and it was a beautiful day for the park, where we met some new homeschool friends from the next county over.
So, we are having a nice day and I'm glad to be homeschooling, especially as I listen to some of the moms with kids in public high school talk.
Then we were off the library - one of my favorite haunts - although I don't usually like to go after school hours because it is so crazy. I loaded up on books about China as we are studying that next week and Olivia got Kit's World because she is reading all of the American Girl books about Kit and the Great Depression right now.
The library checkout is just in front of a book display - choices by the library's Teen Council. Olivia pointed to one. The title was Cut in red letters with an x slashed beneath it and you could tell from the other words on the cover that it was all about that sad psychological phenomenon of "cutting," which is kind of like self-mutilation. It is RIGHT in front of the kids DVDs, too. Not appreciating it. The other Teen picks were like the Sorcerer's Bride and Vampire Tales and other really down and dirty depressing stuff.
Yuck.
I think the next time I go to the library will be by myself and I plan to mention how little I appreciate the placement of those "edgy" books. Plus, the graffiti in the bathroom is terrible. This is one of my, "what's the world coming to?" posts. And how in the world can I make a real difference aside from affecting the lives of my own children?
I was glad to come home to my beautiful yard and quiet home where my kids love to read and play together.
But I know that people of good conscience cannot check out of society. We must stand up for what we believe in. There is a great article on lifesitenews.com about a Canadian teacher who is being suspended from his job for writing letters to the editor regarding his traditional Christian beliefs on homosexuality. How about some free speech? That right is being eroded in Canada and that certainly could happen here. It is something to take seriously.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
A Beautiful Day
April 8, 2008
And finally, some sun. Spring has come to our yard with a vengeance and now I remember why I liked the house in the first place. We have goldenrod growing alongside the creek in back, lambs ear and cactus around the deck, hostas preparing to unfurl their banners and daffodils in full bloom in two different garden plots.
A lot of purple flowers (must get flora book) are growing nearby and some red berry bushes, as well.
Someone with a very green thumb (but unhandy around the house) used to live here. And it almost made me forget that we have replaced the stove, the water heater and two toilets since we moved in six months ago. Not to mention about 1/3 of the floor thanks to the plumbing flood.
Our back yard is truly a park and we could raise a decent garden here if we put our minds to it.
The day started off early and pitch dark as we all headed out to have hubby at the airport by 6 a.m., thank you. Then back to sleep for awhile. We have actually managed to do school and go to Mass today as well. And it is a perfect day for planting flowers with the Tiger Scouts, which is what we will do tonight.
Softball season has started, and Olivia really seems to be doing great. It's her second year of coach pitch and she has developed quite an arm - somehow along the winter. Her team includes girls ages5-8 as they do not have T ball for girls here - strange. She is on the Starz. I always enjoy watching her play.
I do hope the sun holds out a bit. The spring day is cheering after the truly heartbreaking defeat of the Memphis Tigers last night. I was up until midnight watching that.
Maybe next year.
And finally, some sun. Spring has come to our yard with a vengeance and now I remember why I liked the house in the first place. We have goldenrod growing alongside the creek in back, lambs ear and cactus around the deck, hostas preparing to unfurl their banners and daffodils in full bloom in two different garden plots.
A lot of purple flowers (must get flora book) are growing nearby and some red berry bushes, as well.
Someone with a very green thumb (but unhandy around the house) used to live here. And it almost made me forget that we have replaced the stove, the water heater and two toilets since we moved in six months ago. Not to mention about 1/3 of the floor thanks to the plumbing flood.
Our back yard is truly a park and we could raise a decent garden here if we put our minds to it.
The day started off early and pitch dark as we all headed out to have hubby at the airport by 6 a.m., thank you. Then back to sleep for awhile. We have actually managed to do school and go to Mass today as well. And it is a perfect day for planting flowers with the Tiger Scouts, which is what we will do tonight.
Softball season has started, and Olivia really seems to be doing great. It's her second year of coach pitch and she has developed quite an arm - somehow along the winter. Her team includes girls ages5-8 as they do not have T ball for girls here - strange. She is on the Starz. I always enjoy watching her play.
I do hope the sun holds out a bit. The spring day is cheering after the truly heartbreaking defeat of the Memphis Tigers last night. I was up until midnight watching that.
Maybe next year.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Library sales and homeschooling
April 7, 2008
I love library book sales. For 50 cents or $1, I often come away with a wonderful book that will keep my hyper boy still for 30 minute to an hour! I was reminded of that today when Joey picked up Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections book and proceeded to educate himself and his sister about operas, the Queen Mary (a ship), cathedrals and a space shuttle.
This was after "real school" time. This was kid time. So, while I was trying to repair the jammed shredder with a fork (shredder was unplugged), the kids learned quite a bit. One thing they already know is that I'm not the mechanical one in the family - obviously. Shredder is still jammed.
I don't understand why libraries are so all-fired ready to sell great books for nothing. When we moved here, I bought Pagoo by Holling C. Hollings for 50 cents. That is a classic of Charlotte Mason-type homeschooling. Many of the books I buy are out-moded classics, of course. Misty of Chincoteague was another, and the Isle of the Blue Dolphins.
This weekend, our main library here is having a big sale and I'm soooo looking forward to it. Nothing cheers me up like cheap books! And with hubby being gone on this lovely convention, it will definitely brighten my weekend.
Spring in Virginia is funny. It's overcast much of the time and rainy when it's not overcast. How bout some sunshine? Of course, my most recent hometown of Memphis is struggling with a flood-stage Mississippi River, so I should not complain.
Tigers play tonight. Go Tigers! Bring home that NCAA title.
I love library book sales. For 50 cents or $1, I often come away with a wonderful book that will keep my hyper boy still for 30 minute to an hour! I was reminded of that today when Joey picked up Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections book and proceeded to educate himself and his sister about operas, the Queen Mary (a ship), cathedrals and a space shuttle.
This was after "real school" time. This was kid time. So, while I was trying to repair the jammed shredder with a fork (shredder was unplugged), the kids learned quite a bit. One thing they already know is that I'm not the mechanical one in the family - obviously. Shredder is still jammed.
I don't understand why libraries are so all-fired ready to sell great books for nothing. When we moved here, I bought Pagoo by Holling C. Hollings for 50 cents. That is a classic of Charlotte Mason-type homeschooling. Many of the books I buy are out-moded classics, of course. Misty of Chincoteague was another, and the Isle of the Blue Dolphins.
This weekend, our main library here is having a big sale and I'm soooo looking forward to it. Nothing cheers me up like cheap books! And with hubby being gone on this lovely convention, it will definitely brighten my weekend.
Spring in Virginia is funny. It's overcast much of the time and rainy when it's not overcast. How bout some sunshine? Of course, my most recent hometown of Memphis is struggling with a flood-stage Mississippi River, so I should not complain.
Tigers play tonight. Go Tigers! Bring home that NCAA title.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Tigers in April
April 6, 2008
Just a brief comment tonight and not a truly religious topic. But, how 'bout those Tigers?? I'm talking about the University of Memphis basketball team which soundly defeated UCLA last night in the Final Four. What a shot in the arm for my former hometown. I can only hope they do as well tomorrow in the national championship.
My daughter is a great fan of tigers. That is, she collects stuffed tigers and loves to read about the animal itself. Wants to be a zoologist when she grows up. This love of tigers originated in Calvin and Hobbes, I believe. So she is naturally a fan of U of M.
It takes a lot for a Kentucky native to change her basketball allegiance from UK, but after 12 years in Memphis I have to say that I'm more of a Tiger fan than a Wildcat fan at this point. And I'm not above saying a little prayer for their victory on Monday.
Just a brief comment tonight and not a truly religious topic. But, how 'bout those Tigers?? I'm talking about the University of Memphis basketball team which soundly defeated UCLA last night in the Final Four. What a shot in the arm for my former hometown. I can only hope they do as well tomorrow in the national championship.
My daughter is a great fan of tigers. That is, she collects stuffed tigers and loves to read about the animal itself. Wants to be a zoologist when she grows up. This love of tigers originated in Calvin and Hobbes, I believe. So she is naturally a fan of U of M.
It takes a lot for a Kentucky native to change her basketball allegiance from UK, but after 12 years in Memphis I have to say that I'm more of a Tiger fan than a Wildcat fan at this point. And I'm not above saying a little prayer for their victory on Monday.
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