She tills a garden in spring, hoping the Season Giver will help her weave a magnificent mystery beneath the dirt. — Me.
Summer’s overgrown blessings…
Not long ago, my world, and perhaps yours, belonged to summer. Today, I’ve decided to linger in the garden to pull weeds growing among my intentional sowings of natural tick repellents like Lavender, Russian Sage, and Catmint.
Relishing the slightest hint of crispness in the morning air, I thank my God in heaven, the Season Giver, and finally give myself to this daily ritual I honestly haven’t enjoyed as much this summer—believing it’s all for the good and summer’s growing blessings (despite the heat and rain) mean autumn’s harvest is on the way.
Goodbyes, hellos, and blessings amidst welcome and unwelcome visitors.
Before I say goodbye to these dog days, I try to understand the nuances of why the dizzying rush to grow anything and everything since April, or how spring’s abundant showers matter so much to gardeners like me.
This year, the rainy season in western North Carolina meant fewer summer wildfires, and that’s a huge blessing… but it continued right through August, leaving us more ticks, snakes, and some powdery mildew too. Thanks again, soggy El Niño weather pattern.
However wet and buggy, I still believe all was not lost this summer. Maybe it’s because I have hope in the Season Giver and choose to believe all is never lost. The Zucchini grew bigger and better than last year. Tomatoes and cucumbers are still going strong. The overgrown climbing roses, fragrant.
And, although I’ve said I can’t wait to say goodbye to all things slimy or slithering this season, I’m saving seeds and looking forward to new growing opportunities next year.
A time for everything and sowing and growing.
I don’t claim any expertise in all the mumbo-jumbo or scientific benefits of talking to roses, zucchinis, tomatoes, or exactly how all my prayers, positive thoughts, or pleas may have coaxed the growth of my flowers and vegetables even further during a summer when I’ve lost landscaping help and haven’t tidied up the once welcoming hillside above our home as much as I have in the past—but I will say I’ve learned to let some things go.
And yes, that means nature has taken its course in some good and not-so-good ways. Let’s just say this is the summer when my cabin-by-the-woodland style of gardening has taken on a whole new meaning.
Letting go—and growing.
The truth is, I don’t understand why God would care to give me anything other than a patch of tumbleweeds or how my neglected post-renovation garden grew into something beautiful, albeit subjective to the eyes of beholders—without my undivided attention this summer. It’s as if all the pink, purple, and white flowers mingled with the reds and greens of Heirloom tomatoes, basil, chards, and such that live there.
Maybe it’s all part of the mercy and grace stuff I cling to but haven’t done anything to earn… and yet, I still receive, on a daily basis.
Sure, summer’s wild and unruly habits of showing off fifty shades of green everywhere are still a mystery we may never fully understand.
There’s no denying I’ve longed to forget July’s scorching heat and embrace autumn for several weeks now, but September’s weather forecasts haven’t cooperated with my request for cooler temps… Yet.
Remember the gift for what it’s worth.
I’ve decided to remember this summer as a gift the Season Giver wrapped in more than sun-drenched endless afternoons. And yes, I’m thankful to love and embrace this gift as long as I live.
These long golden days won’t last forever. They deserve to be enjoyed. Like unruly sweet potato and cucumber vines I helped wind across fences and trellises, or the few leggy sunflowers who cheer me on and, no matter the weather, always smile at the sun.
Now and always, friends, with seed we may have sown in brighter days gone by, I wish you health, growth, and a future filled with abundant harvest. And to the One above all else, the Season Giver, I give all my praise.
I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart: I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. ~ Psalm 9:1
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Special thanks to Pixabay and image artists for free use of all images: Feature: Image by congerdesign from Pixabay #1 Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay, # 2 Image by Melanie from Pixabay, #3 Image by Olga Krikliva from Pixabay