Dear Reader:

Yesterday when we discussed the importance of taking time out of our busy lives to live the ‘pastoral life’ I realized that when I went to water the plants (a daily ritual these hot days) that my garden is my daily pastoral life…the place I go to…to reflect on the day and give thanks for it.

I feel like I am checking in on my children each day….has everyone been fed, had enough water, pruned , and talked to by their caregiver? Have the new arrivals acclimated to their new home…is it time to say good-bye to some plants until another season?

A garden requires constant attention…. much like small children. It is in the care given, tending to each plant that I most feel God’s presence with me in the garden…His pastoral care giving.

I realized when I was talking to Vickie, my neighbor yesterday, that I was truly now a gardener at heart. The irony of the beautiful days we are all experiencing here in the lowcountry is overshadowed, somewhat, by the dire need for rain. We are still in a drought and need consistent rain for awhile. It is quite obvious for anyone with a garden just how badly we do need some more “soakers.”

There is only a 30% chance of rain for the early part of the week but I was telling Vickie that hopefully we would luck up and get some of the scattered showers so she wouldn’t need to water but maybe once mid-week until I get back. She started laughing…here I am heading to the beach and praying for rain at the same time. This is a pivotal moment when you know gardening is now in your blood and ranks first in your decision-making.

Vickie invited me over to see her Rhododendron show off its first bloom. It has been a long time coming. It is so beautiful and like every good gardener ‘mother’ Vickie named it Rhoda!

Latest happenings in the yard and garden….

Sometimes it is almost a teary good-bye when I leave my garden for a few days…and I am always anxious to check it first thing when I return. If you had told me ten years ago…that gardening would be a top priority in my life I would have fallen off the chair laughing…me….gardening? I don’t think so. But God had other plans for me….to teach me about pastoral living and the importance of caring for His creation…even down to its smallest flower.

So until tomorrow…take time to admire a piece of  God’s world every day…because no matter what it is…plant or animal…we are all connected in this universe and as such we must care for each other.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Yesterday afternoon I had a call from Anne…she told me she was kidnapping me for about an hour…no questions asked. It was an Irish group (Savannah Ceili Band) playing and singing from Savannah, Georgia…and they were wonderful! Some of my family might be in Ireland but I got to stay right here and enjoy absolutely fantastic Irish music…part of the programming at St. John’s Catholic Church.

Tommy and Kaitlyn went out to eat at the Chart House for their first anniversary dinner in Dingle. Happy Anniversary you two!