Summer Paths

Muggy, warm but not uncomfortable, relaxed but still things to do; you have to love Sundays. We have had a particularly busy week. Things here will continue at a speedy pace for the next few weeks. We have so many endings to lots of hard work and dedication: and beginnings that will require the same in our future. Our 4th child will be graduating from high school this month. As the excitement about the end of many years of schooling commences; the fantastic adventure of furthering his education this fall will take its place. There will be stress, uneasiness, wonder and a great voyage ahead of him. Our youngest will be ending his junior year of high school and also finishing a two year journey with his Confirmation in to the church. He will experience relief and joy as summer begins. As he looks to the wonder of his senior year it will also be shadowed with lots of decisions and dedication to begin his post high school career that will keep his mind spinning. Things change so fast although sometimes we are so caught up on the moment we don't realize just how fast time flies by. My wish for my children this summer is to breathe in the essence of summer. To enjoy the warm lazy days, friends and good times; to prepare their hearts and minds to move forward in fall with full fervor. We are changing directions at the farm. We are still looking to focus our direction on education and family enjoyment but are looking to encompass a larger audience than in the past. We will still provide most of what we are comfortable with and know but are also venturing into the somewhat unknown in an effort to allow the farm to provide better for everybody. My dream is to take what we have and make it something that gives back more than in the past. This is exciting and overwhelming all at the same time. There will significant investments of time and energy that hopefully will blossom before us; but like in life there are no guarantees. While I encourage our two youngest to venture into the unknown I need to follow my own words and dive in head first; not knowing of course where this will take me. A relaxing afternoon gives me time to think about all the wonderful visions I have for things but also the time to weigh the down sides. I have decided that frequently in life I always take the "safety route", not this time. I am diving in head first into a dark pool with what I am hoping is a beautiful coral reef at the bottom. I will need to rely on God, the help of others and on my faith that this is where I need to grow. I have become keenly aware that the good we are given needs to be shared to be great! I am hoping that others enjoy playing in the mud, concerts under the moon and frolicking in the woods. I am becoming increasingly aware of the sad loss of our children being connected to the earth and am hoping to build upon this. There is a sense of wonder that needs to be shared. I am reminded of a favorite hymn. "The heavens are calling the glory of God and all creation is shouting for joy. Come dance in the forest come play in the field and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord". The next few months will be an exercise in this song and dance in life. May I embrace my boys and encourage them to sing, dance and play in all that is before them and do the same myself? I hope so...what a busy and glorious summer we have before us! Copyright 2012 Micheline Edwards All rights Reserved

Relationships and Getting Dirty

After an unseasonably warm winter and an early itch (which I resisted as much as possible) to plant and play outside. I think the time has finally arrived to get dirty. I love the smell of the damp earth and the feel of the sun on my back as I plant and work in the flower and garden beds. It is a feeling that keeps me grounded to our most basic needs. Being in the yard also allows me time to think and to sort out all that goes on in our day to day duties and obligations. My husband and I spent the weekend tilling the garden, pulling weeds and talking. I am the gardener and the country mouse. My husband would much rather be in a condo in the upper east side of "City Somewhere". His dream would be no yard work or for that matter no yard!!! Don't get me wrong he loves green space; but not the care of said space. He tells me, he does the yard "stuff" for me. I on the other hand go stir crazy if I don't have some room between me and the next home, the scent of fresh cut grass blowing in my windows and some dirt to play in (although it is a chore at times).I am one of those odd people that actually loves to mow the lawn: my second to the youngest seems to have been bitten by the same bug and helps me when he can. I love the smell of fresh cut grass so much that; up until a few years ago I would always be the one to take the boys to cut and haul hay. I still tag along ( but now behind a wheel). I decided it was time to hand the field torch over, after pulling out my shoulder three years ago. Nothing will take me back, to being about 7 years old faster than the smell of fresh cut hay or the odd scent of an iris blossom. I remember picking iris out of my mom's huge bed and taking my teachers these "quick to wilt in a vase" flowers for weeks. During the long bus ride into town, I would hold my treasure and breath in it's funny scent. Currently we try to keep mowed about 6-8 acres of yard and garden paths; along with several flower gardens and a family vegetable garden. These are enjoyed by our family and lots of others. I am always searching for a way to share this "treasure" with others. Sometimes I feel the burden of up keep and entice family (not always so willingly)to help. While out in the dirt this weekend it was a bit windy and cool as my husband and I worked. I watched as his cheeks got a ruddy glow from the sun. After several hours and most of the work done he announced he was finished for the day and retreated inside. I stayed out till way past time to start dinner and finally after planting what was waiting for a new home came in. Later in the evening after showering and heading to the kitchen my husband came in to join me while I finished dinner. As we talked and sipped some wine he announced to me, "that he is still not a big fan of yard work but the time we spend uninterrupted in the yard is priceless". With out realizing it I think he may be becoming a garden lover (maybe it was exhaustion or the wine talking)! There is a joy in being outside connected with the earth. While you usually never realize the "gift of dirt" when working hard (mowing, weeding, tilling, hauling hay or guarding a treasure for a teacher on a bus ride). You only need a particular scent on a breeze, or the sun on your back to take you to a fond place or a precious moment: to know it is all worth while. I think this summer when the tomato and cucumber plants get big I may introduce my husband to dirt salad...just you, a friend and salt shaker (snitched from the kitchen) hidden in the garden plants with dirty bums, visiting while enjoying sun warmed salted veggies! Copyright 2012 Micheline Edwards All rights Reserved