The Good News

 

It is tough to be surrounded by bad news. Families trying to survive a hurricane by heading to their attics, soldiers coming home in coffins draped in American flags, wildfires continuing to burn up more of our precious land.  As I pray in earnest for sick friends, for a woman who just lost her mother, and for people close to me dealing with personal issues I search for something positive. Then I remembered this poem and it reminded me of its message. 

There is always good news. Find a special edition. Do it today.

The Good News

They don’t publish
the good news.
The good news is published
by us. We have a special edition every moment,
and we need you to read it.
The good news is that you are alive,
and the linden tree is still there,
standing firm in the harsh Winter.
The good news is that you have wonderful eyes
to touch the blue sky.
The good news is that your child is there before you,
and your arms are available:
hugging is possible.
They only print what is wrong.
Look at each of our special editions.
We always offer the things that are not wrong.
We want you to benefit from them
and help protect them.
The dandelion is there by the sidewalk,
smiling its wondrous smile,
singing the song of eternity.
Listen! You have ears that can hear it.
Bow your head.
Listen to it.
Leave behind the world of sorrow
and preoccupation
and get free.
The latest good news
is that you can do it.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Women Who Inspire Me: Erin Benzakein

 

This is my third installment of my series Women Who Inspire Me. In 2017 I was in a gardening section of a bookstore and her book "Cut Flower Garden" jumped out at me. Imagine that! Erin Benzakein is the founder of Floret Flower Farm and is one of the nation's leading "farmer florists". I was also excited to see that her farm was in the Skagit Valley of Washington State. 

Her path to becoming a nationally recognized flower farmer didn't come easy. She started out growing flowers in her garden and made bouquets with her extra flowers and gave them to neighbors and friends. She always heard heartfelt stories about how gardening and flowers held special memories for these people. It struck a chord with her.

A farm florist is a farmer that grows flowers and fillers that are in season and creates bouquets using the bounty from the garden all four seasons. Her newest book "A Year in Flowers" guides readers how to do just that. I am reading it now and already making plans for my garden plots for next year.

When I started seeing ads for the new Discovery+ streaming service I saw her advertising a launch for Magnolia Network.  I got a free subscription through Verizon. As soon as I checked out the new Magnolia Network, there was Erin. I just watched season one of "Growing Floret". It is a series that starts at the beginning of what she wanted to do when she grew up to how she has made a huge business that includes workshops, a blog, an Instagram account, three books, and a seed company. She has thousands and thousands of fellow gardeners that follow her on social media.

She inspires me because she never gave up. She kept researching, learning, leaning on others for help, and persisted. I want to be Erin when I grow up. Even if you are not a flower farmer or don't like to garden, her story is worth watching and reading about.

I am just sad about one thing. Her gardens are not open to the public for tours. Since it is her own home she doesn't feel comfortable having people walking around the property, plus her team of employees are always busy. 

You can find out more about Erin on social media:

Her website: https://www.floretflowers.com/

Her blog:https://www.floretflowers.com/blog/

Her Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/floretflower/

Her series on Magnolia Network, Discovery+ Growing Floret has four episodes.

This is her third book:

During the winter months when you are dreaming of spring and gardening, visit these sites or check out her books. She could convince anybody to raise flowers!  Now I am ready to purchase her seeds for next year. 

Signs That Autumn is In The Air

People either can't wait for autumn to come or they love summer so much they aren't ready for autumn. There doesn't seem to be a group in the middle. I love it when signs of autumn are in the air.

First sign is that the nights are cooler and I don't have to spend hours watering every day. I love that.

Another sign is leaves are turning. Part of this is the dry conditions, but there are some 

pretty fall leaves already.

The cats are coming in more in the evening instead of doing whatever it is they do outside all night.

I feel like turning on my oven and baking again.

The sunrise is later and the sunset is earlier.

Apples are getting ready to pick.

It is craft time with friends. We always find so many fun crafts to do in autumn.

I need a blanket when going outside to drink my coffee.

Pumpkin flavors are everywhere. People are ready for pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin bread, pumpkins for autumn decor, pumpkin cream cold brew, pumpkin beer, and pumpkin pie.

For those of us that are retired teachers the signs of autumn in the air are no first day of school nightmares, no busting the budget on school supplies for the classroom, but a quieter, slower season to sit in the garden, sip a hot beverages, and watch the leaves turn.

Random Facts About Me

Here are some random facts about me. I don't think I am a mysterious person,but there may be random facts others may not know.

When I feel stressed, I organize my calendar. I don't have that many events on my calendar these days, but it makes me feel grounded to have everything in the little squares on my paper calendar and phone calendar.

I love polka dot everything. I love polka dot socks, blouses, bags, and decor for the garden. It always cheers me up.

I can't kill slugs. I just move them to safety if they are causing damage in the garden.

When I get ready to paint rooms in the house I have a terrible time making a decision on color. Everett always knew he wouldn't be painting for at least three weeks, because it always took me about that long to decide.

I love to shop for greeting cards and I love to mail them to friends and family.

I have never mastered the perfect way to get ice cubes out of a tray without spraining my wrist, cracking the tray, or spilling half of them on the floor.

When fall comes and the nights get cooler I love to buy warm socks. I don't need them, but I find comfort in having a drawer full of warm socks.

I never take time to delete pictures off of Google Photos. I might have five copies of the same picture and I just leave it . I have blurry pictures and just plain bad pictures. They are all still there. I think I see a big project in the future.

I always forget to drink water. Always. I think I need to set a goal for my healthier self!

 

The Best Time of Summer

 After all the hot, hot temperatures, the smoky skies, and the dry air I never thought we would arrive at what I call the best time of summer. For me the best time of summer is when the nights cool a bit, the air has more moisture, and the days below eighty degrees.are. It is the best time of summer because the flowers love it. They can recover during the night and then show their beautiful blooms in the sunshine during the day. The weed growth has slowed down. Everything in the garden doesn't need as much water. You can sit outside during the day and enjoy it!

The birds have come back to help themselves to food at the feeders. The butterflies are back out. I haven't seen as many flies or yellow jackets. Even Riley will stay outside while I putter in the garden. A few weeks ago it was even too hot for him. Now my wish is that frost stays away until October. Let us have at least five weeks of the best time of summer. 

8760 Days

The driveway from my house to the road where we would first meet.

 

Today is my wedding anniversary. We would have celebrated 24 years of marriage. We met September 1996, we were married  August 1997, and I kissed Everett good-bye for the last time November 30, 2020.  Our 8760 days knowing each other began on the road between our houses when I was out walking the dogs and he came out of his house to say hello.

Enjoying a fire in the gazebo sitting in his favorite chair.

Those days were filled with happiness and sadness, We had good times and bad times. We celebrated new life and mourned death too many times. Fortunately for us the good times far outweighed the bad times. We enjoyed one day road trips, and we planted flowers and vegetables. We raised cats and dogs, rabbits, and chickens. We loved to sit by the fire in the gazebo and enjoy our gardens. We held each close and cried when we lost loved ones and friends. One of  Everett's favorite sayings was, " If Christy is happy, I am tickled pink." He was tickled pink most of the time because he made me very happy.

a bouquet from the garden

Our anniversaries were special for the two of us.We didn't plan elaborate trips far away, or buy each other expensive gifts.  I may have gotten a pretty bouquet right from our own garden. Sometimes I got him his favorite kind of wine. A few years we even got the day mixed up. Often we had a quiet dinner together, or camped at our favorite camp site. 

Those 8760 days are filled with memories I will have the rest of my life. For that I am grateful. I miss him, but I am trying to continue to live a full life because that is what he wanted me to do. He would be happy to know I have learned how to use a drill and prepare for an evacuation. I may even get that garage organized so I can use it for the car. That was next on our list when he fell ill.

Our 8760 days ended with me holding his hand and praying with him. Rest in peace sweet Everett.