I Like Dirt

I had my hands in the dirt the other day transplanting some mint plants into the pond planters on the deck and began to think about how much people can be like plants and flowers in ones life...


While at Lowe's I found some trailing ground cover plants to put along the edges of the planter boxes and they looked awful - over-watered and not enough sunlight. I knew with a little tender care they would flourish when given the right environment. Isn't that like some people that come into our lives? They are emotionally starved, and scarred and just need to be listened to and loved on for awhile and then as they become healthy and beautiful blossoms appear.


My friend, Cindy, gave me a catmint plant to add to my patio planters for the cats to enjoy. It was big enough to break apart and make three separate plantings. Within a day, Ceviche, the Manx, found the plant and she devoured its leaves, and then laid, rolled and rubbed on the plant for the next 20 minutes! It was comedy in action! She could NOT get enough! I think there are people in our lives who are like that. You know, those people who just makes you feel good to be around? The ones that you enjoy so much, even if you just met them? The welcoming laughter that comes from these people is certainly good for the soul.

Earlier this season, in an overgrown garden bed beside the driveway, the most gorgeous fire-orange poppy grew up. It's brilliant color burst through the tall grasses making it stand out. Poppy's are my favorite flower, so it caught my attention right away. I love the way that they just keep coming back, year after year. They don't need an invitation. The poppy just wants to bloom regardless of what their soil conditions are, or where they are planted. Don't you know someone in your life that is like that? That person who is just a constant in your life as seasons come and seasons go, even when not much attention is given to nurturing the relationship? That person who just bursts forth with the crazy color of life wherever they are? I have several wonderful people in my life like that...


And then there are the wildflowers that adorn the grasses of the hillsides, trails and any crevice they can find. Beautiful eye-candy planted by the hand of the Creator; seemingly randomly planted, yet perfectly placed - I think resembles how some people come into your life. You come around the corner on the trail and beside the path there is a beautiful Indian Paintbrush dancing in the gentle breeze... Here arrives a new friend awaiting to meet you, or an old friend ready to get re-acquainted again. It always seems to happen at that time just when you needed them, or maybe just when they needed to see you. Somehow, what we think are random encounters is actually a divinely orchestrated dance among the wildflowers of life!


I have to say I like dirt. I love the smell, the feel, the texture, and the warmth of the soil. And, I love the people that are planted in the soil of my life... They are the unique and beautiful flowers that give my life great joy!


It's planting time! So, let's get dirty! Today is a good day to appreciate a new or old flower in your life!


Bloom On,
Cheryl

Barbecuing

Barbecue Time
by Animal Liberation Orchestra


"The road is long and windy, 
Like a good mystery unfolding 
It twists and turns 
In colorful subplots and sunburns 
And fake out endings 
And sometimes my patience in the whole process starts bending 

As I attempt to unravel the web 
By rehearsing and reversing and perversing and traversing 
Along the doubt laden extension chord threads 
Of my life 

And in this life we're free to dream what ever we want to 
But that doesn’t' mean that your dreams are gonna come true 
Instead as a way of getting us to move 
Life dangles your dreams in front of you 
And unable to resist the temptation 
We continue 

And it's clear to me that this life is gonna be 
All about the dangling possibilities that keep turning in and turning out 

Yes it's clear to me that this life is gonna be all 
About the dangling possibilities that keep turning in… 
The road is long and windy 
Full of twists and turns 
But before you can rise from the ashes 
You've got to burn baby burn 

Welcome to your Barbecue 
Where we roast all the dreams that never came true 
Welcome to your Barbecue 
Pig out and dream anew 

Welcome to your, welcome to your, welcome to your barbecue…"
<a href="http://www.lyricstime.com/animal-liberation-orchestra-barbecue-lyrics.html" title="Animal Liberation Orchestra - Barbecue Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com">Animal Liberation Orchestra - Barbecue Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com</a>

While listening to Pandora one afternoon, this song began to play... The tune was catchy, however it was the lyrics that really caught my attention:  "...Before you can rise from the ashes, you've gotta burn baby burn. Welcome to your barbecue, where we roast all your dreams that never came true. Welcome to your barbecue, pig out and DREAM ANEW."

The words of the song that say "... Before you can rise from the ashes.." instantly reminded me of the Phoenix.  Dictionary.com describes the Phoenix as "a mythical bird of great beauty fabled to live 500 or 600 years in the Arabian wilderness, to burn itself on an a funeral pyre, and to rise from its ashes in the freshness of youth and live through another cycle of years: often an emblem of immortality or of reborn idealism or hope."

I don't believe in coincidences, rather I believe that all things happen for a reason.  Does this song somehow symbolize my "literal" move to Phoenix from Seattle? Was this what I needed, a short season of "barbecuing"  before I could rise from the ashes and "dream anew"?

Yep, I bet that was indeed just what I needed.  And now, it's time to spread my wings and soar with the freshness of reborn hope that fills my mind, heart and soul!  

So, what do you need to barbecue today?

-Cheryl