Being Busy...

Jane's sermon caught me off guard today at church. I always love her sermons (this woman is amazing!) and she challenges me in so many ways when I listen to her wisdom. My thoughts did drift around some though; fall thoughts... on and off. And I was just about ready to wrap things up when her last five minutes pulled the rug out from under me. The wisdom was this: my life isn't over. There are better things ahead for me. The path that I have had to journey down these last few years doesn't end with the withering of myself. There's more ahead ... there's more in store. Keep busy being born, because if you aren't busy living.. you're busy dying.

So, in honor of it being the FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN (does her happy dance!), I stopped by Starbuck's for a newspaper and a treat. Instead of my usual, I indulged in a iced pumpkin spice latte and a pumpkin scone... how autumnal! I brought my fall issues of eye candy along, but never opened a one. Instead, with a Michael's coupon in hand, I headed out for some yarn and a new pair of knitting needles to begin a much postponed project. Shhh... it's a secret.

I really had planned on beginning my project, but Miss Garden Spirit had other ideas. So, I was compelled to tackle my back garden today. I guess there was a trickle of inspiration left over from yesterday's forray in the dirt...plus working off that indulgent latte and scone!

Dragging out a not-used composter, I whipped up a wing-it recipe for some compost. My good friend over at Simplicity Wins has her own little compost pile in her lovely garden. Every time I'm over at her adorable place, I always inquire about how she does it, maintains it, uses it. So a quick call to the Compost Queen, and I was ready to try my hand. Coffee grinds, leftover vegetable scraps, yard clippings, pine needles, some soil and some water and I think I have something brewing!

My back garden was oh, so happy to get some much needed TLC! My intention with my irises was to merely clean the brown leaves off and shape up the green ones. But irises are an ornery lot. They tend to call the shots, not you. Soon, instead of just sitting still for a little trim, they were popping out, roots and all! Good thing. They needed to be divided, the rotten ones tossed and a good cleaning and trimming to each. They are going to dry out for a week, then I'll tuck them back into the earth for spring's show.

Such a help he is....

... and the ever-loyal companion...

all enjoying the fall breeze and temps!

Much was accomplished. Two bushes and a tree trimmed. Weeds and grass pulled out. A dried-up, gray rose bush dug up; it's withered form having stood lifeless for two years. It was planted almost fifteen years ago when we bought this new home. But this symbol of love - blooms of yellow and pink - had died long ago and now sits discarded in the trash can. The irony of it not unnoticed by the tender of the shovel.

A snail vine sinks its roots into damp soil, tendrils stretching up strong arms, while bunnies play tag in the shadows.... a breeze carries a tune not found on my ipod.... the tune of 'Hi! Where the heck have you been?!?' by the little hummingbird who calls this yard his. Planes on approach dip their wings as they bank. Ants, following their simple brain's instinct to save their species, attack me multiple times; trying to save themselves from extinction. Garden ornaments washed off and repositioned. Trash dragged out to the street. A snake of rubber coiled up until the next watering.

Layers of clothes pealed off and left on the patio. A shower of cool water and rosemary-mint shower gel. A pumice stone to return black back to pink.

Why does it seem that getting in dirt helps to remove the dirt from our lives .. ?


Today, I was busy living.