IMG_4971.JPG

“The Sky is Low…”

“The sky is low, the clouds are
mean,
A traveling flake of snow
Across a barn or through a rut
Debates if it will go.
A narrow wind complains all day
How some one treated him;
Nature, like us, is sometimes
caught
Without her diadem.” (Emily Dickinson)

Laying low
this weekend after a great youth retreat, I’m on a third cup of coffee, and my
kids and I crowd close around the computer screen to watch a science dvd. We
munch carrots, pop salted green edamame beans, and chew whole wheat cheese
quesadillas (“Mom, whole wheat?! Really?”) while dog variants march
across the screen. (“Okay, I’ll try not to buy whole wheat tortillas
again.”) 

Later, my
teens descend to their rooms for other school, and I ponder flower beds and
perennial gardens. The plastic bucket of Shasta daisy roots in my garage
languish from their planting delay, and I feverishly plot companion flowers and
layouts. 

My borrowed
garden books speak of the power of good
companions who can bolster up
sagging plants, hide unseemly roots, and add
vivid color to those around them.
The reference books speak of the need for
lush fertile soil, enriched by compost and mulch — treasured life-giving
nutrients that spring up from the surrender of decay and death. Hearty life
and color spring from old growth, from life
surrendered,
from the drab of former
death

Grabbing my
spade, the bucket of dead-looking Shasta daisy roots, some magenta corabells,
and bags of daffodil, tulip, and crocus bulbs, I head out under a low grey sky.
Pondering companion plants that add strength and beauty to each other, and
the need for continually-enriched
soil
that gives life and heartiness, I plunge hands into cold dirt. 

Linking with Ann, I say, merci seigneur.

Share this post:

6 Comments

  1. Jennifer Dougan on October 8, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    I'm sorry my font size and style is different. I can't figure that out, despite all my tweakings. Don't you hate that?

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  2. Wise Hearted on October 9, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    Jennifer…I thought of several anologies while reading your post. Just the putting together of different plants that compliment each other made me think of how God puts the body of Christ together in every group that meets to worship Him. Love your pictures…fall is not as colorful where we live in California, miss all the color and even raking leaves. Blessings my sister.
    PS, wish I could help you with your font…I am always needing help with those kind of things. Thankful for friends who are good at any computer problems. Help will come…

  3. Jayne on October 9, 2012 at 5:41 pm

    Thanks for the encouragement to do some yard work. I need to transplant my daisies for the oak tree they are near now takes their summer sun. Much weeding still needs to be done as well as pulling up some dead annuals. Today I am finishing up some Halloween decorations. I will blog about them, hopefully tomorrow. I love getting a good day's work done. God enjoys it when we find satisfaction in our work. Jayne hisheartandhome.com/

  4. Jennifer Dougan on October 10, 2012 at 3:05 pm

    Betty,

    Yes, those very same analogies were running through my mind then too. I'm glad you saw them too.

    I will need to head out to rake those leaves for the first time soon, actually! Well, maybe my son will… 🙂

    Have a great day.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  5. Jennifer Dougan on October 10, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Jayne,

    Transplanting flowers and other garden work is so fulfilling, isn't it? And they are fraught with analogies, huh?

    I look forward to peeking into your Halloween decorations, Jayne…

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  6. Eva Trillian on October 17, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    Jennifer! Thank you for visiting "my place" and leaving a comment. Here is the recipe that I had in my counting of eucharisto  I found an English version. Some patience and there it was 😉
    Wishing you a wonderful autumn!

Leave a Comment