My Hiatus from Gardening…

Dear Reader:

Yesterday I went out to pick some flowers to put in a vase in my Happy Room. I felt the stare of the garden’s flowers upon me….looking accusingly:  “Who are you and where have you been?”

True confession: I have been everywhere but out in the garden. For the first time, since the garden was created in 2013, I have gone an entire week (actually a little over a week) without stepping into my garden.

Mother Nature has provided just the right amount of rain and sunshine to sustain the trees, plants, and flowers with no assistance from me. The first couple of days I peeked out to check on them visually from the back door window…but after that I didn’t even take a peek.

I had some lunch dates, family outings, household projects, and, of course, my Louise Penny mysteries to keep me quite busy and quite happy. It was never an intentional hiatus…just a chance to take a little pause from the daily routine.

In fact, the word, hiatus, is defined as: a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process. And sometimes….taking a pause from what we routinely do is good for the soul. We all need to break from any customary activity (ies) that is done repetitiously over and over without intervals throughout our lives. Not only does it clear our minds of daily clutter…but it frees our soul to swell and be well.

We need to “mix it up” with life…so routine doesn’t become drudgery but desire. Like the “Sirens” of ancient Grecian folklore…I will hear the garden calling soon…perhaps even tomorrow…but today I will mix it up and plan adventures that I don’t routinely consider during the week. Opening our five senses to unexpected opportunities awakens the childish curiosity and sense of play in all of us.

After all…  adulting is hard. (But you’re doing great!) Now take a break and play!

I have discovered one thing about my garden…secretly I think the flowers and trees have enjoyed my absence as much as I have enjoyed theirs…sometimes distance does make the heart grow fonder. The garden looks better now, in my eyes, than when I was there two or three times a day messing around in it. The garden has flourished without me during this little hiatus.

So until tomorrow…

*Cindy Ashley stopped by to pick up the second book in the Louise Penny series…I gave her a “Honey flower vase.” The gift that keeps on giving.

Congratulations to Mollie who just got promoted to Executive Director of Beautycounter Momma!

We are so proud of you. Way to go!

Ensuring safety in all their products…the family has fun trying on products!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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7 Responses to My Hiatus from Gardening…

  1. Rachel Edwards says:

    I am loving Ordinary Grace…have marked places that I want to share…trying to figure out who done it…have it narrowed down to one or two…big clue early on but it may be too obvious. ..great read…

    On Aug 30, 2017 6:02 AM, “Chapel of Hope Stories” wrote:

    > Becky Dingle posted: ” Dear Reader: Yesterday I went out to pick some > flowers to put in a vase in my Happy Room. I felt the stare of the garden’s > flowers upon me….looking accusingly: “Who are you and where have you > been?” True confession: I have been everywhere but” >

  2. bcparkison says:

    I’m with you here. Sometime feeling like you’ve ‘hit’ a wall means stop doing what you are doing and change directions. I think,which is a surprise in it’s self,Staying so busy over the past year has caused me to ‘hit’ a wall.” I’m just so very tired” said Lucy. Lucy was a friend long years ago. A little 2 or 3 year old friend and quite often she would cry out, “I’m so very tired”. Love her heart and I too feel so very tired. lol My garden hasn’t surprised me but maybe next year it will have a come back….with my help any way.
    Have a great day and continue to pray for Texas and La. too.

  3. Joan Semle says:

    There are no hurricanes in Louise Penny’s little Canadian town in her books – only snow and blizzards. I guess there are storms to get over for everyone. It took a long time for our area to recover after Hurricane Hugo but slowly it pulled itself up and the storm areas in Texas will too, with time, prayers and lots of patience. I always enjoy your writing Becky.

    • Becky Dingle says:

      Astute observation…no matter where we live mother nature seems to have the potential to find us and create obstacles for us in our path…just so glad that God is there to help us pick up the pieces.

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