Proof

This post will probably be proof that I think way too much. But , I guess there are worse things to be doing with my time!

First - some shots I too this morning with my NEW camera!

This is Zoey, looking rather more box-ery than usual. She and I are totally digging her tie dye bandanna, and feeling very Jimmy Buffet today. The one thing I wanted most in this new camera was zoom to "sneak" up on my subjects. She had no idea I was even bothering to take her picture. Love that!This is the tallest sunflower in my garden. It is taller than me. I was standing up on the upper deck to take this picture. The gold finches that live in the lilac bush, have been over having a snack on the flower every day.

Then this is from my same distance. I just turned a bit to get the sun behind the flowers. This is the top of the same sunflower. LOOVE the new zoom!

And the flowers bring me to the thoughts that were running through my head last night. I took on the task of deadheading and weeding my flower beds. With the horrible heat and humidity we have been having, this has been sorely neglected. I have at least 7 huge bushes of Shasta daisy. One thing to know about Shasta's is that once their initial blooming period is over, the heads turn brown and they are frankly ugly. New buds will eventually come in, but not well if you don't dead head the old flowers. So, as I was grumbling to myself last night, as it took almost two hours to completed the task, and getting mad at myself for letting it go. It occurred to me.

I was more than willing to enjoy the flowers, but less than happy (last night) to put in the work that is required to see those beautiful flowers. Normally this is a happy chore for me , but after the first 3 bushes I was a bit weary of cutting.

Anything that is worth anything to us as humans requires tending - relationships as well. The most beautiful house, or most expensive car, or most ornate flower garden will soon be dilapidated without care and attention. Isn't that how it is with our personal relationships as well? So many folks want to enjoy the fruits of a happy marriage or great relationship with their children, but are not willing to put in the time and effort required to "tend" those flowers. My marriage has needed some extra tending in the last few months. Thankfully, J and I are willing to take the time to pay attention to us, and what we need. Most of it requiring patiance on my part. Many people in this day and age, stop and look around at their "garden" and decide it is much easier to pick up and start another one, than to stay and "weed" the one they already started. One lesson I that was reinforced last night with my flowers is that it is much easier to tend to a task in small daily incremements, than it is to wait until it is overgrown and attempt to clear it out. The same goes for our loved ones. They need daily attention and tending - in other words time. I try my best to take time every day to be with my husband and children, just spend time listening, cuddling or just being there. I am watering my "flowers", pulling "weeds", gently "fertilizing" those relationships.

One of the most powerful things someone has said to me, was years ago - an online friend of mine said this - paraphrased by me because I can't remember the exact wording.....

People need to stop looking over the fence coveting everyone else's garden, and turn around and start pulling the weeds in their own garden.