Are you sure you know?

I recently read an article written by an Air Force Colonel. In the article he related a story of his days at the Academy and a man who was "just the janitor". Seems a quiet, unassuming man that they took for granted as they passed him each day was far more than what he appeared. The fact that he cleaned up after them, scrubbing their toilets, buffing the floors and emptying the trash led them to think little of him or his work. One day, one of them stumbled onto an article that changed their whole perspective. Turns out, the janitor was a WW2 Hero. Suddenly, the Cadet's attitude changed toward a man they once considered "just a janitor".

You know, I have often struggled with those who seem to think that everyone has to "fit the mold". We often look for the "natural leader". We seek out the "Influencer". We want to socialize with the popular. We look down on the janitor's in life.

When Brian and I were stationed in Germany we would often take day trips to different places. One day, on one of our trips, I stepped into the "water closet" (restroom) It was not uncommon for the public restrooms to have attendants who would go into the stalls and clean after each use. As I waited for my turn, I watched a tiny, stooped, elderly woman clean toilet seats, pick up paper and wipe down sinks. Soon, it was my turn and as I passed this woman I noticed something that would would forever change my life. On her wrist there was a tattoo. Numbers. Identification. It hit me. She was a concentration camp survivor. Tears sprang to my eyes. This woman had undoubtedly endured the most horrendous of circumstances. Something that I would, by God's grace, never have to experience. As I stood in the stall, leaning against the door I cried for her. This woman should be tending a flower garden, drinking tea with her friends, anywhere but wiping down a toilet for me to use. I struggled with the overwhelming feeling of wanting to embrace her. To tell her how sorry I was for what she had had to endure. All because she was a Jew (or Jew sympathizer). Finally, after I pulled myself together I left the stall, washed my hands and made intentional eye contact with her as I left. I touched her arm and said, "thank you". She looked up at me with tired, worn eyes. A flicker of surprise crossed her face. She nodded, dropped her gaze and continued her duties.

Our world loves the popular. We love the limelight. We crave the attention of the masses. Accolades, honors, trophies, certificates, financial success are all indicators of our achievements. We love to be around the people who attain those things while the person who quietly goes about "cleaning the toilets" gets very little attention.

The fact of the matter is that every day we have no idea who we may be overlooking. What talent do we miss? What creativity have we pushed aside? What story have we not heard? What have we erroneously assumed?

Even worse is the way we often treat and talk about those ones that are "different". We cast wary glances at the teen who dresses differently. We whisper about the socially backward young adult who just doesn't seem to fit in. We avoid the shy and withdrawn because they just aren't fun. If you knew that that person you avoid has the potential to be a musical genius would you still avoid them? Why?

The CREATOR of the universe came to earth as a humble carpenter's son, was born in a shack, grew up poor and was shunned by most. The world did not recognize who He was. Yet, that didn't change the fact that He WAS GOD.

Are you sure you know who you are overlooking? Are you sure you know what potential and hidden talent you may be writing off just because they don't look, dress or act like you? Are you sure you haven't met the next Mozart, Michael Angelo, Elisabeth Barrett Browning, Steve Wozniack, Pablo Piccaso or Steven Spielberg? Are you sure you wouldn't ignore, avoid or make fun of The Creator if He were to walk among us today? Are you sure?


Are you sure you know?

Ponds are a nasty business!

Boy am I glad that pond plants only have to be divided and re-potted every couple of years! THAT was a nasty mess! Before I started I called a friend who has a pond and asked if she'd like some new plants. She said she would and that she'd come by to pick them up later in the day. You see, it would have killed me to have to throw away plants I couldn't use! I also love the idea of passing on some plants to my friend's gardens.
I've been putting this chore off for a couple of months now because I knew it would be a big mess and not one I was looking forward to. The first group I tackled were the pond Iris. They've been in the corner of my pond for more than 2 yrs. The rhizomes had begun to grow over the edges of the container and roots were entangled in the little drainage holes of the planting container. It was a mess trying to getting that little (BIG) bugger out of its pot! I divided the plant up and ended up with quite a few extras for my friend.
Next was the BIG one! Bog Bamboo. This plant has given me fits for several weeks now as it has gotten so large that every time the wind blows it topples over. (These plants are in specialized containers and sit on the elevated ledges of the pond) I knew this one was going to be a pain and so went directly for the butcher knife! The roots from the bamboo had entangled themselves in the cords for the fountains, pumps etc. and unfortunately made a great hiding place for my fish. They also were a fabulous natural filter. They were however, creating quite a mess and so had to go.
I divided this monstrosity into 3 huge sections. I only needed one, so Jeannie got the other two as her pond is twice as big as mine. All in all it took over 3 hours to get this nasty chore accomplished. The filtering system we have is fantastic so my water quickly cleared up after all of the disturbance and my Shebunkins (fish) are happily enjoying their habitat albeit minus their hiding place. I have no doubt that those bamboo roots will come back quick enough.
You know, as I was busy digging my hands into the pond slime and dirt to loosen the roots from the containers it occurred to me that my chore was a great metaphor for life.
The leaves on the pond iris leaves had begun to turn a yellow color. They were no longer getting the nutrients they needed from the soil. In order for them to get healthy again they had to be torn from their container, cut apart and re-potted in a new container with fresh clean soil with plenty of room for their roots and new growth.
Sometimes our lives get so full of things we get accustomed to. We get settled. Our roots get deeply planted and become entangled with whatever surrounds us. The problem is, our lives get so compacted, so entangled with the "everyday" that there is no room for growth. No new friends, no new hobbies, no new learning experiences. We start to get "yellow". While a healthy root system is a must, it is essential that we provide room for new growth. Sometimes it takes drastic measures to clean the "dirt" and "slime" from our lives. Sometimes it can be a nasty mess but it is really important for our health spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
That's why I love gardening. It gives me time to think. Time to reflect. Time to ponder the complexities of life. It also provides great lessons for life.
I think I'll go sit out by my newly planted pond and watch the "Shebunkins" while the sun sets and thank God for the simple things that teach such great lessons.

The Nature Of Things

It's been quite awhile since I have added anything to my blog. You can chalk that up to the business of life, laziness or whatever excuse works for you!
In all seriousness, this is the time of the year when I would rather be out "playing in the dirt" than writing about it. That being said, I've had several people lately ask when I was going to update my blog. Seems I can't get away with laziness for very long! Here is what I've been "up to" lately.

Last year we had our front yard completely torn out and landscaped. It was a process that took several weeks. If you know anything about me, you know that I love tearing things apart (houses, yards, furniture, recipes) redesigning and putting them back together. The landscaping project really filled the bill for me. I loved the entire process from start to finish. It is still not "completely" done, nor do I expect I'll ever declare it such. You see, when it comes to gardening it is an evolving process. That's why I love it so much!
This summer I began working on our Backyard. Or, as the British would say, "The Gardens". In actuality it really is turning into the "gardens". Several new beds have been dug and are now in the process of being filled with all sorts of different perennials, herbs, flowers etc.
Recently, I discovered Sedum. Sedum are succulents of which there are more than 600 varieties. They LOVE our Texas heat and can go for long periods without water. (Of course I chose this year, the year we broke the "San Antonio Drought" to start planting them.) They also will spread and propagate new "babies" quite easily. At first, I wasn't so sure I liked these little toughies as they didn't seem at all colorful, and I LOVE color! Further research enlightened me however and I discovered that they do indeed flower and are quite pretty!
A few days ago a friend and I took a trip to a quaint little Texas town about 15 minutes outside of San Antonio. There we found a little privately owned nursery along the Comal River. The lady who owns the place had quite an impressive array of native Texas plants along with the usual annuals. I came home with a few "babies" for my gardens. I can't wait to see how they do.
I've always loved herbs. This may be due to an inherited love from my mother, (Who incidentally had the most spectacular gardens while i was growing up.) or maybe it is my love for cooking. Either way, I love having fresh herbs just outside my patio. Currently, I've got Basil, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, several different varieties of Thyme and Mint. I just added Lavender this week, which technically isn't an herb. I LOVE all things with a lavender scent!
The newest "bed" to be put in is still a blank slate. I'm not quite sure what will end up in it. You see? That's the fun of it all! Searching for just the right plants to nestle into the freshly turned soil and then watch them mature and grow.
Yesterday I discovered a dead baby Morning Dove in the back yard. Not sure what happened to him but I suspect he fell out of the tree and broke his neck. Not 10 minutes later I discovered a dead garden snake. I think the dogs may have gotten that one. Dachsunds 1. Snakes 0.
I've counted over 10 different varieties of Butterflies and seen an impressive array of Dragonflies and several birds I have never seen before. I think all the rain we've been blessed with has really encouraged quite an array of new species to visit my "gardens".
Last night, as I sat on the patio listening to the Cichadas, I mapped out the next plan for the "gardens". It looks like a firepit surrounded by pea gravel and several more beds and pathways will eventually be added.
Now, if I can just figure out how to motivate these men I live with to get out there and do the digging!