Dear Reader:

Monday, my new lawn maintenance keeper, Jeff, cut my yard and garden for the second time. Michael had assured me Jeff would be terrific and he is!

He is a detail person…cutting weeds between flowers and plants, detailing and outlining all the paths in the garden, along with the driveways and sidewalks in the front and side yards. After Jeff leaves…everything looks precise and pristine!

Didn’t God know what he was doing when He made the world round? By doing this, we discover that at any time and at any place…(what may initially seem like an end)… is only a beginning!

This is true over the sadness of losing Michael, my yard man I had for several years, but now gaining Jeff and starting over with a new beginning…both men –  hard workers and diligent overseers.

Look how precise the garden paths look following Monday’s cuttings…

(What I have noticed is that I need to get my driveways and sidewalks pressure washed…so they will be white and shiny again…always something with a house, isn’t it?) 🙂

I’ve come to notice how gardens are used more as metaphors for life than any other place or thing…“Life is a Garden” is a popular quote and also “Love is a Garden” follows quickly behind.

I can see the double metaphor…because in both circumstances…time, patience, continuity, reliability, wonder, surprise, and pure thankfulness must abound to have a successful loving relationship or a thriving garden.

In order to have successful endeavors in life…we must not be afraid to ask…for help, guidance, clarity (clean, clear paths) unconditional love, understanding, protection, and inner peace.

In return we must share our time, space, friendship, and gratitude for those encircled in our lives…while always expanding our circle of friends.

We should pray our journey is a long one…while savoring all the stops along the way. It is the stops that make life meaningful and memorable.

And always find and honor your pace. There are still so many places to be seen for the first time where you will no longer see things as they are. Instead you will see things now as YOU are.

So until tomorrow…”Remember…always keep one still, secret spot within your heart where dreams may go.” – Louise Driscoll

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Yesterday was another cool, cloudy day that required long sleeves to be comfortable…hard to believe we start out in the sixties each day and barely get in the 70’s…for June in the lowcountry…this is quite extraordinary…but all the plants and flowers in the garden are loving it!

What I loved was several moon flower seedlings that Anne had started…and  told me to go pick out six for my container while she was gone. I did and happily worked on getting the seedlings planted yesterday. Love getting my hands dirty!

Then when I checked the mail…Marcia Temple, Mollie’s mom, had sent me the sweetest gift. See for yourself!

I love gifts from artisans around the world..empowering women to “rise above poverty through fair trade.” The green bracelet says FAITH on it.It reminds me to always go forward with faith!

Guess whose birthday it is today? June 18!

RUTLEDGE! 

Seven years ago Marcia and I were hurrying to Walsh and Mollie’s house with lunch as they were scurrying out to go to the hospital…where we later joined them...after we ate lunch! 🙂

Rutledge had arrived…Eva Cate’s first cousin and she was so excited!

Seven years old…Rutledge will be in the second grade this year and Lachlan in public kindergarten…they are both so excited about school starting.

We are having Rutledge’s birthday party Saturday…originally he arrived on Father’s Day…so special!

Until then…Rutledge is working on his construction engineering skills…might be a future in this endeavor! 🙂

P.S. Did I tell you that Paul McCartney is so honored and “humbled” to be able to say that he shares Rutledge’s birthday? 🙂