We're Planting Today

 

We're planting today.  The feeling of permanence builds with each tree placed in the earth.  John Tanner has an amazing essay entitle "As For Years" that mentions a verse in the LDS  Doctrine and Covenants 51:17 that states "as for years" that resonates with me.  At the time the revelation was recorded, there was a group of believers that were compelled to move to a new location.  They were not sure how long they would be there and were looking for direction of how to proceed.  The response was: 

"I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence; the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this and as for years."  

No council seems more applicable today to me and my family.  I don't know how long we will be here--but I am going to act as if it will be years.  I don't want to waste time getting started.  I have so much less time now than the last time I was planting trees--and so we are planting today--or I should say my son is planting today.  While I make phone calls for work, he is digging the soil.  The trees are soaking preparing for the transplant. Soon, the orchards will be nearly complete. Navels, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and tangelo will be in the citrus orchard, and fig, Asian pear, peach, nectarine, and plum will round off the other orchard.  

With each tree purchased and each hole dug, I feel more stable and secure.  I am beginning to understand why this instruction was given to these people who would only actually stay for 6 months.  The stability is built from creating the stable environment.  No reason to ever waste time biding your time in boxes.  Live life to the fullest today.  Put down roots that someone else may enjoy after you leave.  Create beauty today.  The joy is in the creation.  

So today I am living "as for years."

Thank you NieNie

I sit with computer in hand, with no thoughts.  I have spent the day fighting laziness.  My usual hustle to complete my To-Do List never kicked in.  A day a lethargic work. . .waiting to end.   The numbness of shiftless neglect.  Choosing the mind numbing tasks required in my job--the ones I usually save for after hours when I am by the t.v.  Grey numbness.  Cold in-spite of the beautiful sunshine out side. A never ending numbness

Until I read this:

I have so much I can do to bless my family.  I have never sat in the Burn Unit and hope to be able to wash the dishes again. . . or button my child's shirt.  I have so much to do.  Now, an overwhelming sense of desire to bless my family with my efforts this weekend.  The kitchen, the house, a trip up the mountain. . . and six new trees to plant.  Ready. Set. Go!

AZ Skies

I love this video of our AZ skies.

Click Here to see Video

Hello from Cowboy Land

It has been six months since I said good-bye to friends, associates, and neighbors.  As I prepared to go I only could see what I was losing--rose gardens, grape vines, Boston Ivy encompassing my home and dear friends that have been with me through everything.

I thought I "knew" what I was moving to--Arizona desert, heat, and yellow grass.  I remember distinctly moving away from AZ all those years ago thinking about how great it will be to have UT's four seasons, the cool evenings even in the summer, and gorgeous green grass.  For more than a decade I have relished in these UT gifts and thought it would be nearly unbearable to leave.  But in my rush to leave the Sonoran Desert, I forgot to notice what has overwhelmed me in my return.
1. Arizona skies.  They are huge and painted in sublimity.  The sunrise blooms in pink, and orange hues until the blue awakens.  It is as immense as the sea and often seems as powerful.  The sunset completes the color explosion--echoing the morning glory but magnifying the richness of the colors as it fights to ward off the impending darkness.   My husband will talk science with my boys about the dust causing such beauty--but I refuse to accept it.  It is desert magic--an artist date every morning and night.  I try to never miss it.  I will often get up at 4:30 am to work before the family awakens so I can take the time at sunrise to be outside with the sky and my mountain.

2. The desert mountains have as much beauty as the Wastach Mountains--I just never took the time as a youth to discover it.  In my hurry to perform in string groups, participate in student council, and other great activities, I forgot to slow down and discover the mountainside.  Hiking has become a new passion.  The fire was lit in the Holy Land this fall.  I was overwhelmed with how much Galilee was like Queen Creek.  I fell in love with both lands simultaneously.  There is nothing like hiking with my family all together--the 21 year old carrying the 10 year old for miles.  The laughing, the spontaneous need to climb the face of a particular peak.  The quiet and the loss of cell phone service.



3. The Arizona friendliness greets me everywhere.  The gal in the grocery line who shares her life with me as we wait.  The openness and acceptance.  It is a gift.

Ironically,  I have fallen in love with the desert and the warmth of it all.  I rarely notice the lack of grass and meticulous flower gardens because I am busy looking up.  If Utah's beauty is built in the small details--the petunias and tulips--Arizona's beauty is built in large strokes of sky and desert scape.  I find peace in greeting its greatness daily and I am grateful to be home.

The End of the World as You Know It

I grew up hearing 2012 is the end of the world--at least according to the Mayan calendar, but I never gave it much credence.  But this year has been the end of the life I have known in many ways.  I got hit emotionally today with the onslaught of these changes as I realized today would be the last day to enjoy my gardens. I went into the garden armed with my camera to capture the moment before it was gone, but for this tomato plant, it was already too late.  And somehow, this Roma tomato plant became the visual representation of all that my life is right now.  

I have been blessed with a full, bustling life. With six amazing children that are legally mine, and one more that I claim--my life is sometimes seemed hectic, but always full and complete.  But somehow this summer, a new chapter has begun--even as I have been too busy to let myself notice. My husband's change in career has necessitated my going back into the work force, and I began to say goodbye to my grown children.  Katy was the first to leave--to Romania to serve the people there. 

Jeremy left just days later.  I dropped him at the airport for an early flight to NY where he will play college lacrosse.  Saying goodbye was incredibly sad and I thought my heart would break. But I had to be at work moments later not affording time to grieve.      

I had several weeks before I said good-bye to Stephanie too.  In that time, Tom received the priesthood in our church. . . 

And Will got baptized. . . 

 and I spent many hours with the extended family enjoying the fountain Jeremy made before he left.  I can't be out in the garden without appreciating the love offering of his time and effort to create the lovely focal point.                                              

Autumn seemed to be held off for extra weeks. I enjoyed the garden and my family during my precious hours at home.  But eventually, autumn would have to come and Stephanie would have to leave too. 

Stephanie's farewell was wonderful.  She did a great job, speaking with the power and conviction of her soul.  And then on Wednesday, we said good-bye.  The weather was warm and perfect. And we all felt God's peace. 

Today was my first time since the the season of good-bye and change began that I had a quiet moment. . . .and I went to the garden for solace.  I enjoyed the end of the roses and the beginning of the chrysanthemums. 

I took time to enjoy the small flowers
and the overabundance of the the entire flowerbeds. 

The smell of the alyssum and petunia . . .

                            The taste of the grapes from the grapevine Jeremy planted last summer.

I spent time with the cosmos that reach the top of my 6' fence. 

I enjoyed the beauty of the fruit still attempting to ripen.

 And the beauty of my backyard roses. 

 I savored the blackberries that were originally given to me by a dear cousin 

And stopped to visit the wild spots of the yard where my wild flowers still grow.

I even found a perfect strawberry ready for eating.  (These plants were starts from another dear friend.)

I picked the watermelon, cantaloup and honeydew that were almost ripe.   Even unripe, they were sweeter than any from the store.  I had my fill of the fruit of my garden.

And I enjoyed the taste and smell of the parsley and mint.  

It is true, the Roma tomatoes will probably not make it even though I will hang them in my garage.  The summer was not long enough because I didn't plant in time.  But there was so much more to be grateful for.  I went out in the garden feeling my life was spent like this tomato plant, but with each gift of fruit and beauty I realized God has given me so much.  My life and my yard is complete with all I could hope for.  Each of my children have spent time with me in this yard that began a rock field full of clay.  We created this beauty and bounty that mirror the love and beauty of home.  

I lingered in my garden, noticing that I have different variations in plants I thought were the same and realized I can't give up on this glorious life.  I have four amazing kids at home still.  

Life is good.

I didn't notice any of the weeds today, the grass growing in my flowers only added beauty.  I will pick the grass out another day, and focus on the problems that need to be addressed.  But today, I am enjoying the beauty of my life. 

Nephew's Wedding

My nephew got married this week-end to the perfect bride for him.  The evening was perfect.  Complete with chandeliers in the trees

and the prettiest bride ever riding the motorbike through the wedding.

And somehow life seems better because we all got to celebrate their love. Thanks L and C.

Thank you for getting me re-addicted to Bachelorette

Several seasons ago I secretly watched the Bachelor for the first time.  I would finish my homework near midnight or even closer to one in the morning and turn on an episode promising myself (I will only watch until the first commercial break).  I had a blogging friend who had perked my curiosity and somehow I chose the show over much needed sleep.

But the next seasons were a disappointed and I thought I had broken the bad habit--until I read "Home Court Haven.blogspot.com" description of the opening night of Emily Maynard's season.  I was hooked before I had even seen the show.

Click here to read


 I know longer watch late at night.  Tonight, my children all joined me in the voyeuristic viewing, and tomorrow, I will be looking for Home Court Haven's explication of the event.  I hope next season will be terrible again so I can once again break this habit. But until then, please keep blogging Home Court.