one more chance

The thing we've noticed lately in the gardens is that plants go through a lot of stuff in their lives. They endure neglect and abuse and many times, survive, if given the appropriate treatment or care.

They begin their lives dependent on mother nature and/or a gardener to provide the soil, water, sunlight, and nutrients required for their survival, but they may experience extremes like drought, flood, sudden freezes, and intense storms. And don't even get me started on the effects of bugs and animals. Sometimes, plants survive and become stronger. Sometimes the effects of the drought or flood or storm are so severe that the plant dies.

Many years ago, we participated in a test planting of a new variety of tomato. The local county extension office wanted to obtain data about how this new variety of tomato would grow in our location. We dutifully planted the dozen or so healthy tomato plants provided to us--dug the holes, centered the plants and buried their roots, watered them in and applied fertilizer. They seemed happy in their new home. And then, during the night, one of those incredibly fierce early summer storms hit the gardens and the wind stripped every leaf off of those healthy plants, leaving tall green sticks where less than 12 hours before had stood healthy tomato plants, ready to grow and thrive and produce bushels of juicy, red tomatoes. What a tragic loss.

Another time we came home after a big wind storm to find a third of our massive globe willow tree laying on the ground, torn by the wind from its trunk. We debated about whether we should try to chain and bolt it back to the trunk or whether it would be best to save the remaining portion of the tree and remove the downed branches. In the end, we savagely severed the fallen part, leaving the once globe-shaped canopy of the tree looking like some tall Godzilla had chewed away a large part of it. Now, ten or so years later, when we drive by the old house, we can see that the tree has done its best to recover and is almost globe-shaped once again. Amazing.

The thing is, all plants endure trials in their lives. Sometimes they recover, sometimes they don't. But the accumulation of the trials will age the plant, eventually contributing to its demise.

tag--you're it

The other day, my friend, Lisa, tagged me on her blog, indicating that I should make a list of three things that I love besides my husband, my children, or soda--Diet Coke in particular, since everybody loves their soda. I think the list of things I can't put on my list must also include my grandbabygirls because my love for them is simply, hello--a no-brainer.

Herewith is my list:

1. Chai tea. Several years ago, I was introduced to chai tea. After my first sip, I was hooked. This warm, sweet, spicy drink is always soothing and settles me physically and mentally. Recently I discovered iced chai. Who knew that I love iced chai as much as warm chai? Certainly not me. But again, one sip and I was hooked. Iced chai is a blessing in the heat of summer, a sweet, spicy, cold drink that isn't carbonated. What could be better?

2. Projects. I love projects. Projects require much listmaking (BONUS!!--I love listmaking, but that is as obvious as my grandbabygirl love)--which project first, cost of the project (always over budget in the end), materials required, step-by-step process (also typically inaccurate). I love to think about a project, prepare for the project, begin the project, rest from the project, restart the project, see progress on the project, make adjustments to the project, see more progress on the project, and finally, complete the project. Oh, and don't forget, all of the talking about the project--before, during, and after the project. It is all so very, very satisfying.

3. A cat to sleep with. As long as I can remember, I have loved to have a cat that would curl up to sleep with me. I love it when my cats nestle inside the bend of my knee, or snuggle up under my arm, or gently knead my belly before they circle into the nest they have made with the covers and my body. I love when I hear the purr of a kitty in my ear, find the warmth of its body against mine, or feel the flick of its tail or the rough surface of its tongue on my skin. There is something very comforting, very calming about a cat near to me when I'm ready to sleep. It's the quickest path to sweet dreams that I know.

And with that, I tag Jessie and Stu and wait anxiously to hear what you love! Remember no spouses, children or soda.

more treasures from her

a glorious Saturday afternoon in the garden

Yesterday afternoon in the garden we enjoyed several hours with our sweet little girls. Breanne and Audrey were both in the garden playing together, as best as a 22-month old and an 11-month old can play together. They enjoyed eating apples, reading books, doing puzzles, chasing the cats, and hanging out with gamama and boppa. Breanne continues to amaze with the avalanche of words she says and recognizes, and Audrey is delightful to watch as she begins taking her first steps--towards gamama and boppa. They are both bright, inquisitive, adorable, sweet little girls and we can hardly wait to meet the next wee girl in less than two months.

breathtakingly peaceful

Last Saturday, Jack, Jack Jr and I took a drive to the middle of our mountain desert state to look at some recreational property that we wanted to buy. Unlike most people, we had made an offer that was accepted before we'd actually seen the property, although our offer was contingent upon an inspection of the property, so technically, we could have gotten out of the deal. But we (meaning I) knew as soon as the realtor sent us photos of the property that we would be purchasing the lot and building a cabin there. We knew from the photos that this was the place where we would build a cabin (and by build I mean literally build, with our own four hands--and the hands of our friends and our children and their friends). We knew it would be a retreat for us, our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come.

The realtor brought his 4-wheelers so we could drive down the public dirt road to our private road and then walk in to see the cabin site. Since the snow was three feet deep, he also brought snowshoes. Saturday was the first time I've ever been on a 4-wheeler, been on a 4-wheeler in the snow (hanging onto Jack's arms and back, since I was the rider and he was the driver), and it was the first time I've ever worn or walked in snowshoes. It was a perfect day, about 30 degrees, no wind, clear blue skies, and the snowshoes were a blast. Amazingly, just like on tv and in the movies, they do keep you almost on top of the snow. Who knew?

As we here in the gardens are nearly famous for our listmaking, we feel a list coming, entitled, "Why we are purchasing a lot on which to build a cabin."

1. The photo from the realtor
2. Photo of our private road with Jack Jr's footsteps following the tracks of a moose
3. Photo from the main road looking up towards our cabin site--we're the little tiny people in the middle of the picture
4. Photo of our land that surrounds our cabin site4. Close up photo taken from the main road of us standing on our cabin site
The photo at the top of this post is the view from our lot, taken where our private road meets the main road and we have the same view from our cabin site.

This place is a private, calm, beautiful escape from everything where we can choose to be with those we love. I can hardly wait to begin building.

I almost forgot--we made snow angels too. It was the best day in a long time.

it left me speechless for a second

My mom has been begging my dad for almost two years to let her get a new puppy, a little, teensy sweetheart of a pup that, even when it is fully grown, I will be unable to call a dog because it will be so tiny and so cute (and that is said with a really high squeaky voice). Because of her increased interest in shopping, (the John Deere tractor for him, the new blue Grand Prix that she bought when she went to get the oil changed in her two-year-old gold Grand Prix--and many, many other purchases, large and small) he absolutely refuses to allow a new dog in the house. The only thing that has stopped her from getting a puppy is his constant threat that she better not get a puppy because he'd get rid of it and she better believe that he would.

She brought up the puppy again today and I suggested that perhaps if she promised dad that she wouldn't buy anything for three months, he might give in and get her the puppy. She said she didn't think he would ever give in, but that the first thing she was going to do after he died was to go out and get a puppy. And then she was going to go to Hawaii, because that is the other thing he won't agree to. I can just see it all now--dad passes away, mom gets the puppy and shows up at the services with the puppy in one of those puppy bags that Paris Hilton carries around, telling everyone who comes through the line to offer condolences, "Yes, this is a sad time, but I'm so glad I have my new little puppy, Bill, to keep me company and get me through this hard time." And every time the little puppy hears its name, Bill, it snarls at her. And she carries Bill on the plane with her to Hawaii...

Jack and I went to visit my parents tonight and of course, mom brought up the puppy and dad said, "Here we go again with the dog." I told him that I had suggested that she promise to not buy anything for three months and if she made it, he could get her a puppy and his response was, "I've been lied to before..."

Maybe you have to know them to see the humor...

don't read this post if you don't go to R-rated movies. seriously

The other day, my friend, Sugar, sent me an email with quotes from famous people about men, women, and sex. (OKAY, now you know I'm really serious about the R-rating. You know who you are, so just stop reading right now!)

These are some of the quotes. I have not confirmed whether or not the people identified as having spoken these deep thoughts are really the authors of the thoughts. But I think they are interesting and in some cases even, funny.

So, here they are:

• According to a new survey, women say they feel more comfortable undressing in front of men than they do undressing in front of other women. They say that women are too judgmental, where, of course, men are just grateful... Robert De Niro

• Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place... Billy Crystal
  

• Women might be able to fake orgasms. But men can fake whole relationships... Sharon Stone
  

• Clinton lied. A man might forget where he parks or where he lives, but he never forgets oral sex, no matter how bad it is... Barbara Bush

All I'm saying is that if you think about any of these and you have any real life experience, you might see some truth or humor, or both. That's all I'm saying.