The pruning and cultivating are the life lessons, where the process of growth is in the hands-on, active work. Branches need to become strong enough to support the fruit without breaking. This is where lasting change takes place; where healthy roots are established through strength and perseverence.
If there is one picture of the Madonna that resonates with me, it is this one, the Polish Madonna. I saw this picture for the first time when my children were very small and I was captivated by it. I guess I had always thought of the Blessed Mother as the Queen of Heaven – …
Sometimes I really have to laugh at myself and where my thoughts bring me. Today as I was folding the laundry, I was turning some undergarments inside out and began to look for where the “tag” was. I then noticed the stamped marking that has now replaced the old fashioned piece of material that used …
This morning I picked what will probably be the last of the tomatoes from my garden. I must admit, it made me kind of sad. Here in the Northeast, the season is rather short for tomatoes. I wait anxiously for the first of these beautiful fruit to appear each summer – sometime around July for …
Ratatouille is French for stewed vegetables. It’s my “bowl full of garden goodness” in the summer and my “clean out the produce bin of the fridge” in the winter. Either way it’s a staple in my house. We’ve made it as a side dish, added it to pasta for a main meal, and topped pizza …
One of my favorite, healthy snacks to make is homemade pita chips and salsa. There’s nothing better than fresh salsa (especially when I can add as much cilantro as I want). In addition to being healthy and fat free, it’s also inexpensive when your vegetables are home grown. Here’s another recipe that can be changed …
One by one the college fliers started to arrive in the mail. With great anticipation, my son runs and grabs them from my hand. I show little interest at first. I know if I do, I’ll have to admit that he too will be growing up and away all too soon. My mind drifts back …
I found this story many year’s ago and thought is was a great reminder of the wisdom we glean from our grandparents. Too often we forget that as their bodies and minds weaken, they’ve traveled this road longer than we have and there is much we can learn from their wisdom and experiences. Wishing all …
One by one, the alarms went off, and one by one the door opened and closed. With each creak of the front door, the hustle and bustle in the house settled and there it was – the start of another school year – the start of a more structured schedule. Those first few moments, of …
Back to School: Lessons, And Tests, And Life…..oh my! Read More »
June 21, 2013! Just a little over one year ago, was the last post to this site. At the time, I had no intention to abandon ship altogether, but that is exactly what happened. I’ve often missed writing, but knew I didn’t want to start something without a better plan as to how I was …
I know Spring is here because the asparagus is popping through the dirt in the garden. I haphazardly threw these into the bed last year and didn’t give them a second thought. This year, with my decision to revamp my goals for our vegetable garden, I purchased more “crowns” and planted them again with a …
