Spring has Sprung

Love, Love, Love this time of year. A time of newness and freshness. All around me I am delighted with bright new color..."spring green". In Texas, we all learn to appreciate the bright colors of Spring. Only too soon will we have upper ninety degree temperatures and dried, lifeless plants and lawns.

As I ready my patio for container pots of geraniums, vinca,and begonias, I am reminded that I literally get about a month between rainy weather and sweltering heat to enjoy my patio. Luckily I have large patio doors all across the back of my house so that I may enjoy my flowers and wooded backyard throughout the year in air conditioned comfort. Lucky me.

Twenty miles down the road my daddy has a half acre garden in which he toils year round. It began as a hobby, something to keep him busy after retirement. He, of course, is of the generation that didn't really have hobbies...they WORKED. So, daddy "works" his garden. He has improved the soil, planted and developed hybrids and basically has feed six families each year with his half acre plot of ground. My children refuse to eat store bought tomatoes or corn. Papa's produce is so much sweeter and tastier. All of the grandchildren have grown up to be good veggie eaters...mainly because of Papa's garden and the tastiness of the results of his labors. Can you taste Love? I say, Yes!

As the children grow, we encourage them to help Papa in his ventures. Even very young they were able to plant the corn kernels in the prepared furrows left by Papa's plow. They helped Nana plant lettuce and radishes in the small portion of the garden that Papa allowed her for a kids' section. They slowly graduated to weeding (just the weeds, not the tomatoes), supporting plants with cages, and (the most fun of all) harvesting.

Every year, without many words, Papa teaches his grandchildren lessons. Lessons that apply to the garden and LIFE:

The importance of sunshine and rain....each need to happen in the appropriate measures at the appropriate times to make things grow.

Organic goodness being worth the extra effort...the taste and purity is worth having to eat around the bad spots.

If at first you don't succeed...plant again, there will be another Fall, as there will be another Spring.

Prepare your soil....a good foundation is the beginning of all things good.

Gather all of the information you can, not only before you begin, but at all times during the project. Knowledge is power.

Be receptive to others' advice, but make your own choices. The result is all you. You won't be able to blame anyone but yourself. But no one else will get the credit, either.

Share your fortune. Always be generous with the fruits of your labor. Share with family, friends, local food banks. There are always others in need.

Celebrate the Harvest! Congratulate yourself on a job well done. Take time to reflect on reasons certain crops grow and why certain ones die. Learn from your mistakes. Rejoice in your successes.

Daddy has spent a lifetime providing for his family...in one way or another. The produce is welcomed and delicious. But the lessons are so much sweeter.