Friday, July 4, 2014

The Garden in Perfection






There are times when something strikes you, something that is all too familiar but buried so deep in the ordinary that you fail to take notice. As it happens, one day it is as if a curtain is lifted and you become awed at its existence.  Today is one of those times. 

As I approached the garden I saw what nature intended, what God designed in His perfectness. In the late morning sunshine the squash spread open its blossoms enticing the bumbles into its very depths, dusting countless hairs and coating every leg with the sweet life creating pollen.   

Arched leaves drooped in thirst on this mild but unusually dry morning.  Before watering I check each leaf for pests, surprised by the discovery of adults and nymphs surrounding a patch of perfectly aligned jeweled eggs, deeply dark and ready to burst with replacements for their comrades that perished at the hands of both man and beast.

The bumbles calmly part allowing me to turn over leaves that lay in their flight plan. I imagine to myself that they are part of the alliance of arachnids, beneficial insects, bees, fowl and human that depend on my bounty.   With God's favor, this is the year it all comes together.  A wet, cool spring to establish roots, gifted compost to provide nutrients, the discovery of wild amaranth luring pests away which allow my vines to flower, and now the sunshine, the warmth that will allow the fruits to mature. 

For this I plant, for this I hope.

11 comments:

Sunnybrook Farm said...

Nice that the bees get out of your way. I haven't been stung so far this year but have destroyed a couple hornet nests. I did leave a wasp nest near the garden as they seem to love to catch the small worm like caterpillars on the plants.

Pat said...

Lovingly written - the entire month of June has been a gift to the gardener from God's own hand. Here in Northern Wisconsin everything is lush. My herbs are the best ever. After the winter we had, days like this are savored even more.
Thank you for sharing such a lovely post.

Michelle said...

Lovely written post. I could almost visuals you in the garden with the bees.

LindaG said...

:-)
Have a wonderful weekend!

GranthamLynn said...

Beautifully written post. From the little photo on the linky I thought it was flowers. Then I opened the post and right away say squash leaves! The blossoms look healthy I am sure you'll have a great bounty. I remember my last garden. We boarded horse and I put my extras by the drive. The boarders scarfed them up! I didn't share the okra though. LOL.
Thanks for sharing you brought back really sweet memories for me!

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Thank you, everyone.

Harry Flashman said...

It's a nice time of year. Everything is really green and lush here in the mountains. If only I didn't have to mow the meadow...

Manny said...

What a lovely blog. That is so nicely written I would like to post it in my "Lines I Wished I'd Written." Do you mind if I do? Of course I'll give you full credit and link it back to here.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Sure, Manny if you want. Thank you for thinking it worthy.

Manny said...

Kathy, your wonderful writing from this post was featured on my blog here:
http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/2014/07/lines-i-wished-id-written-garden-in.html

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Thank you, Manny. That was so nice.