Sunday Thoughts – A Lesson From The Garden

Sandra

“October breathed poetry ~ beautiful and glowing.” ~ Terri Guillemets

Sweet October morning, my friends.  Welcome to ‘Sunday Thoughts.’

As many of you are probably aware, I love books.  And as I am a gardener, naturally, I enjoy gardening books.  When I find one with solid gardening information along with a little poetry or beautiful words, well, the book is simply a must-have.  Such was the case with the book, “A Garden’s Grace” by, Nancy Hutchens.  The wonderful little book, published in 1997, has become a special friend to me.  It is loaded with good gardening information, wisdom, and even a recipe or two.

Image result for a book titled a garden's grace

In straightening up the bookshelves the other day, I found my friend among the cookbooks.  Now, how did that happen?  Anyway, I had to spend a few moments with her.  In other words, I was easily distracted.  But in doing so, I found a few words of wisdom I want to share.  As it often occurs when I read this treasured book, I feel Nancy Hutchens knows me.  Because somewhere, I usually read something Hutchens tells me I should be doing.  But this time, it was her grandmother, Mamaw Tribby.  I heard her loud and clear saying,  “Sandra, it is well into October, you need to finish putting the garden to bed.  And not at your convenience.”  So for all of you who are gardeners, perhaps the following words from Hutchens and her grandmother will resonate with you as well.  But really the words are, in general, true about many things in life.

“Nature takes no account of even the most reasonable of human excuses.” ~ Joseph Wood Krutch

“When I was a girl it was my job to rake leaves in the fall, just about the time school started, bringing with it activities much more interesting than leaf raking.  I postponed the chore time and again ~ until it was too late.  Big, dry flashes of snow started falling early in November one year and didn’t stop until over a foot had accumulated.  This severe weather continued every weekend throughout the autumn.  All winter I looked out on a yard encrusted with caked and soggy leaves caused by procrastination.”

“Mamaw Tribby said this experience should teach me one of the most important lessons a gardener can learn ~ nature waits for no one.  We think we can control her, but all we can do is follow her lead.  As we puttered in her flower beds, she’d say.  “People are in awe of nature when they first start gardening and follow all the rules.  The trouble starts when they get cocky and think they can do things at their own convenience.”

“Another mild, orange~gold October day.” ~ Sylvia Plath

 

So, my friends, as much as I want to take my wonderful book and coffee in the garden on this gorgeous October day.  I must get my sweet garden put to bed and tucked in for her long sleep.  Because, “As the garden becomes a dearer and dearer friend, I’ve learned that true respect for life is without boundaries.   The garden deserves as much of my heart in winter, when its energy has descended to its roots, as in the summer, when roses and lilies are blooming.”

I hope you have enjoyed your visit today.  Know I am wishing you and yours a beautiful day. 

And…

May your week ahead be golden and full of joy.

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

Note:  The ending quote is by, Nancy Hutchens.

Images: via tumblr and pinterest

14 thoughts on “Sunday Thoughts – A Lesson From The Garden”

  1. Good morning Sandra and Happy Sunday to you! Procrastination often takes place in my garden this time of year.. I can’t completely put her to bed until the dahlias stop blooming. I have plans and thoughts whirling in my head for the spring, but first things first. As always a beautiful post of images and commentary! I need to find the garden book. Have a joy-filled day my friend!

    1. Pam, you have a little more time to put your garden to bed than I do. When we lived in VA, my goal was to have it done by Thanksgiving. I always had dahlias on the table for Thanksgiving and often a rose at Christmas. Each area of our beautiful land does have its own rewards.
      Dear friend, I thank you so much for your kind words. Wishing you and your lovely family a beautiful autumn day.

  2. Happy Sunday. I enjoyed your post this morning. I need to spend a little time in my garden tidying up!

  3. The simple pleasures of life…Or the essential things of life…Probably they would be the same thing…Gardening…Reading…Not a hobby but a vital necessity…That book looks gorgeous!I wish you a blessed day!Hugs!

  4. I love this little tidbit of wisdom, Sandra. I always loved putting the garden to bed in late fall. It would be so nice and tidy, and it seemed to make the enthusiasm that much stronger for wanting to get out in the spring with most of that work in the rearview mirror.
    I just finished reading a great historical fiction, Mammy Jane, of a strong Appalachian woman in WV. She was a great taskmaster through the seasons, never wasting time, effort or yield in the garden.
    Happy Sunday, and I hope you enjoy your bedding chores.

    1. Thanks so much, Rita. I enjoy putting the garden to bed, checking out all my peonies and of course telling them sweet dreams. I will check out “Mammy Jane.” I enjoy historical fiction and when it is about someone in WV – all the better. Have a great day.

  5. Nature waits for no one. So true. For once, I’m relatively together and I have no idea why. Of course, there are still leaves to fall but for now I feel like I can work inside instead of out! Your photo selection, as always, is beautiful!

    1. Hi Jeanie, I am happy you have your outside chores in hand. Mine are coming along, another day or so and I will be in good shape. Thanks so much for your kind words. Have a wonderful week.

  6. God evening Sandra, I don’t know how you do it, but your post is always exactly what I need to read! My California garden doesn’t ever completely go to bed, which is what makes gardening here both a joy and a challenge, but as everywhere, there are chores to be done. Luckily, we had and outdoor baby shower here last weekend, which made us tackle the “to do” list vigorously. What a delightful gardening book! Xoxo Lidy

    1. So good to see you, Lidy. My mom’s brother lived in California and my mom raved about the beautiful gardens there, especially the roses. How fun to have an outdoor baby shower, I know in your garden it was lovely. Lidy, thank you so much for your kind words and your visit.

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