Morning Medicine

We have a few challenges awaiting us this June...

Some unique experiences that Micah and I have yet to face in life.

I put it all out of my head in May and hoped that if I don't think of it, maybe June would forget to come.

But here it is... June 1st already!

(Have you ever noticed that even through attempts to forget Time, Time will not forget you!)

I am sure everything will work out well and I'll realize I worried for nothing, but I still can't help feeling a little anxious.

 Time for my Morning Medicine...

"The world is so full of a number of things,

I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings."

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Once again the world has awakened, and seems to almost call for me each morning...

"Come out here! Hear the birdsong! See what's new!"

Of course I am always curious to see what has changed since yesterday, so after my fill of hot coffee I put on my "garden shoes" and meander about...

This is medicine for my soul.

A time to clear my head, pray over the day's agenda, and decide to be content and grateful.

Mornings outside are quiet... contemplative... and full of hope for a brand new day!

"Good morning, sky;

Good morning, sun;

Good morning little winds that run!

Good morning, birds;

Good morning, trees;

And creeping grass, and brownie bees!

How did you find out it was day?

Who told you night had gone away?

I'm wide awake;

I'm up now, too.

I'll be right out to play with you!"

- Jean Buchanan

I say, "good morning" to the chickens...

Then check on the garden...

Micah planted these Bleeding Hearts a few years ago after I had mentioned that my grandmother's garden had Bleeding Hearts when I was young.

They've done really well here next to the Irises.

In fact, they spend all day laughing and gossiping together.

They are good friends.

Nola painted and set up this darling birdhouse among the Ferns and Hostas...

Notice her attempt to entice the birds into the house with a generous helping of seeds!

Sometimes a walk out to the orchard is necessary, too...

Because you know, plants and trees need a good "checking on."

"Just seeing how everyone's doing!" I say...

Plants and trees seem to look different every day!

I don't know how they do it!

Yesterday I planted these two ladies...

I couldn't just bring one home, for fear she would become lonely.

So the pair went in the ground together right here by my old and worn farmhouse fence.

We had a pounding rain last night so I made sure to check on them this morning, too.

So tall and skinny, I was afraid they had snapped over in the storm.

I was happy to see they had done well!

"All the names I know from nurse,

Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse,

Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock,

And the Lady Hollyhock."

- Robert Louis Stevenson

My mother and I both thought this was Hollyhock, until I read the tag while planting them...

It said "Foxglove."

I am still learning.

My medicine is working. The fresh air is making me feel so much better!

"Few of us get air enough, and yet air is free to everyone and does not cost a cent. The poorest person who ever lived can have all the air there is, if only willing to take the trouble to get it. If you live in a crowded city, it is not as easy to get fresh air as if you live out in the country. But even in the city, houses have doors and windows, and all who can walk can go out into the parks, where good pure air can always be found. Sick people need a great deal of fresh air; the more they get, the quicker they are likely to be well again."

- H. A. Gerber

I watched an interesting special on PBS last night called, "10 Parks that Changed America."

While interviewing a landscape architect who helped design one of the parks, I learned that European  parks many years ago used to be owned either by royalty or the extremely wealthy.

A chance to visit a park was unlikely and came to you by invitation only.

Over the course of time parks in America were created and became open to the public.

Now anybody can meander through nature and reap the benefits!

What was once thought of as a luxury, is now considered a basic human need.

I cannot agree more!

God has given us His creation to enjoy.

"Let the heavens rejoice,

Let the earth be glad;

Let the sea resound,

And all that is in it.

Let the fields be jubilant,

And everything in them;

Let all the trees of the forest sing for joy!"

- Psalm 96:11-12

(The lime green tree in the background is a Honey Locust tree. Micah planted it because I said I thought some bright green might look nice next to the purple lilacs... He spoils me. *smile )

xo,

~ Courtney ~