Woman Who Loves Gardening

 

I wrote this poem in June of 2007. Reading it again today brought back memories of gardening with Everett at Martin Creek. Enjoy!

Woman Who Loves Gardening

I have dirty nails

and rarely paint them, living out

my long growing season in the flower garden, trellises

giving view to clematis, climbing Peace

where aromatic flowers

grow in profusion.

I pull the weeds

in the early morning

gritting my teeth

wiping sweat from my brow

and listening

to footsteps of my husband

coming in range to help.

Sun makes my face red;

each sniff with my nose

leaves lily pollen behind.

When I rest it’s the beauty

that causes anxiety to shake loose

from a woman in need

of a quiet place to retreat.

Christy Woolum

June 20,2007

Sunshine Mine Disaster: May 2, 1972, a post from the archives

As we near the 50th anniversary of this terrible tragedy, I revisited a post I wrote a while back.

May 2nd, 1972.
There are dates in our lives we never forget. For those of us that grew up in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho none of us will forget May 2nd, 1972. That day a fire broke out in the Sunshine Mine and 91 miners were killed from the toxic smoke of that blaze. I revisited the mining memorial when I was home spring break. A person from the valley can stand and read the information at the memorial and walk around studying the names of the miners surrounding the bronze statue, but even after all these years, it just doesn’t sink in. It was too big, too much to take in. I was seventeen years old when we heard the news of the fire. I lived across the street from a nursing home that became a temporary morgue. We saw hearses from funeral homes as far away as Grangeville and Cottonwood. I kept studying the pictures in the paper of those that had deceased and it still didn’t sink in. It was a dark time . Recently my niece and two friends wrote an original play and performed it for an Idaho History Day competition. When I watched them perform the play depicting the events of that first day of the mine disaster I was once again brought to tears. This outstanding performance earned them a trip to the state competition and then to the nationals. I am pleased that my niece and her team will retell the story of the Sunshine Mine Disaster in Washington, D.C. in June. It is a story that we need to remember.
My prayers today are with everyone impacted that day in May in 1972.

The Cataldo Mission: A Single Photograph

 

Have you ever been at the right place at the right time with your camera or phone and captured a  perfect picture? Weren't you happy that you took that single, special photo? I take lots of photos so I have had this experience happen often. 

This poem describes so much about the above picture. This image is the inside of the Mission of the Sacred Heart, or Cataldo Mission, a historical landmark in Cataldo, Idaho.  I was at the right place at the right time.  If you have been to this mission, you understand exactly what I am talking about. If you haven't been to this sacred spot it is a "living tale beyond words" . I enlarged this photo and it is hanging in my SheShed.

A single photograph

—portrait of the moment—
is an inexhaustible epic,
a living tale beyond words
superior to a hundred volumes
written and fixed. 

A photograph
is consciousness painting,
the instant’s art that opens
on the unbounded vistas
of the inner life. 


-Daisaku Ikeda

Ten Things I Could Do When I Can't Garden

 

Ready for a road trip

The weather is cold. A few days ago there was snow. I can't dig in the soil yet. What can I do instead?

Ten Things I Could Do When I Can't Garden

1.Thumb through my collection of old garden magazines and plan a new low-maintenance garden.

2. Clean the fireplace.

3. Try to locate the slip of paper that had the list of lilies I planted last October.

4. Think about organizing the garage... the key word is think.

5. Browse paint colors at the hardware store. You always need paint samples laying around.

6. Take a friend/sister/Riley road trip.

7. Think about washing the windows.

8. Binge watch every show someone has recommended to me (I think the list is about twenty shows).

9. While I am binging I can organize every pet record belonging to every pet I have ever owned and figure out what to keep and what to throw away.

10. Grab a blanket, pillows, lights, books, coffee, and Riley and go to a blanket fort until spring really comes.

Sounds of Melting Snow

On Easter Sunday my garden beds were once again covered with snow.

 

In March I loved the sound of melting snow. I dreamed of bright tulips blooming soon. I walked around the yard to look for little leaves emerging. I moved my hands through the dirt to see if the compost and older soil had enriched together over the winter. I sighed when I saw the weeds that forgot to die. 

Mother Nature wasn't ready for me to move outside and garden. The weather kept returning to winter, the temperature kept dropping below zero, and I often woke up to snow. I am waiting a bit impatiently for  the first faint scent of spring again.

I first posted this poem in April of 2019. I read it again tonight and it reminded me how much my sister has given me, especially in the last few years. My dear sweet husband Everett got sick and spent a lot of time in the hospital. After four weeks of working to get better, he closed his eyes, said good-bye and went to heaven. My sister was there for me. She was there while he was in the hospital, She was there to take care of Riley. She made me meals. Tasks emerged as I adjusted to life alone. She helped me move furniture, plant seeds, got me out of the house, made me laugh, and listened to me as I shared my sorrow. Along with others she made his Celebration of Life just what I wanted.She was my sunshine when I was surrounded by the dark. I am blessed to have my sister Carol.

My Sister, My Friend

Leann Stiegman

To me you are an angel in disguise.
Full of intuition, you are intelligent and wise.
Always giving and helping through good times and bad.
You are the best friend I've ever had.
If I had one wish, it would surely be
To give you as much as you've given to me.
Though I've put our relationship through some cloudy days,
You've been my sunshine in so many ways.
Through trials and tests, right by me you stood,
And you gave me your hand whenever you could.
Thank you so much, my sister, my friend.
My gratitude for you has no end.