An elderly neighbor has a good size garden. Each spring two or three lawn chairs are set in the shade on their vacant property heralding the beginning of planting season. Someone tills the land and stakes appear for the tomatoes. The plants always flourish; the garden is a model of tidiness and weed free. At harvest time the vegetables are picked and then the garden begins its winter rest. Seldom do I see who does the work although I often see men resting underneath the shade.
I am thinking this is similar to creating a book, painting or raising a family. We see the fruit but don’t always see the actual work and like the farmer it’s nice to have someone to rest with in the shade.
Here is a picture of my attempt at a winter garden. It was so warm in Florida I started a potato bag. Unfortunately the vines didn’t like the transition to a western North Carolina spring and all but one died. Can’t wait to plant again.
Old Things R New 
I look at this wonderful post as a lesson in how important diligence, hope, persistence, anticipation, joy-in-the-doing, learning, and modifying our actions when they don’t bear fruit are. I hope you plant again and again. We grow flowers each year, feeling joy when the yard looks nice. I hope your life is bearing wonderful fruit, like mine.
LikeLike
My husband takes care of the flowers and I take care of the herbs. It is such fun to walk outside and snip some flavor for a meal.
LikeLike
Hey, friend….I loved this post! I felt like I was sitting in the shade with you talking about our wonderful kids growing into wonderful adults who we can enjoy! Maybe there needs to be a little “weeding” and “cultivating” in all our gardens, but I’m up to it, if you are! Can’t wait to enjoy many more seasons!
LikeLike
You are so poetic. I can’t wait until you come to sit with me, then I will show you this mysterious garden.
LikeLike
Hey, friend…..I loved this post! I felt like I was sitting with you in the shade and talking about our wonderful kids who grew up into wonderful adults who we can enjoy! Might need a little more “weed pulling” and “cultivating” in all our gardens, but I’m up to it, if you are!
LikeLike
I love to garden. A lot of mine has been trial and error but I learn every year. I also try something new with every planting. I’m very glad to hear you are not giving up. For me my time spent placing my hands in the earth and watching new life spring up is better than anything I could actually eat at the end of the season.
LikeLike
My parents grew up on farms and in their later years planted gardens with great success. I am trying to remember what they did and reading to learn. Please feel free to pass on helpful tips. Yes, watching new life springing up is a wonderful thing. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
I enjoy gardening, but in Minnesota I’m always leery about starting too early, so haven’t really done any planting yet. But your post made me eager for the harvest:) Thanks for the moment to sit and relax in the shade.
LikeLike
Growing up in Florida, where crops are done by June, the NC season fascinates me. It is so slow in comparison. Thanks for stopping by, I enjoyed sitting with you. Let me know how your garden does. When do you plant?
LikeLike
Sometimes I’ve had years where I couldn’t plant until June, but probably by the middle of May at least this year. We’ve had really wonderful spring weather this year but have still had a frosty day here and there in between so that apple buds and such have been frozen.
LikeLike
Mid May is the official time here in the Smokey Mountains too. Our spring blooming plants have been damaged by frost and freeze. I hope your spple tree will still bear. We love apple picking.
LikeLike
I think that’s a great analogy!
LikeLike