1500 Walks and Counting...

 

Through the back gate and up the meandering old trail, Millie and I walked this morning for the 1500th consecutive time.  That really is quite a milestone for we've never made it that far before. One might think it tiring to walk the same paths day after long day, but that's not me - or Millie.  There's always something new and different to see or hear, if one only takes the time to notice. Where better to watch the comings and goings of the seasons than on that old hill?       

"Come forth to this hill at sunset to behold and commune with something grander than man."

~Thoreau

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"I used to long for faraway places.  Now, this patch of earth feels like the whole world.  The older I get, the more I see the gift of staying, not stuck, but rooted.  The same sun rises, the same soil softens under my boots, and somehow that sameness feels like grace.  Adventure is fine, but peace lives close to home."  `Author unknown

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"Might I...might I have a bit of earth?  To plant seeds in.  To Make things grow."

-Mary Lennox, A Secret Garden

So, I have that patch in which to plant in and to make things grow, but it's not always as easy as it seems.

"You want clarity?  Plant something tiny and trust it with your patience.  Watch how slowly miracles happen.

You want strength?  Carry the watering can Even on the days you don't feel like showing up.

Then show up again tomorrow. That's gardening.  That's devotion.

Still is..."  

It seems to be a year for critters, which is both good and bad.  Hoppy little rabbits (or maybe it is squirrels, for we have both.) have developed a taste for zinnias, of which I have always taken great pride.  So, there are few zinnias this year!  

The garden does look rather dull without them, I think.  But, hey, as a trade off, we do have paths.  I created them with  old dead cedar wood that I found in the woods.  Dan doesn't care for the look, but, then,  he has no imagination!  :~)

From last year's garden....

(I know it makes me sad too.)

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And, finally, words and thoughts about other critters...

 These, oh-so-precious little critters are causing great havoc for the cats.  They have memorized the cats' feeding schedules, and are never late for the appointed hour..  These tenacious darlings don't scare away easily for they seem to know me by name and fear me not.  The cats, however, being somewhat wilder than the raccoons, do scare easily, and hit the exits when the opponents show up.  Elon even sported a scratch across his face for a couple of weeks.  I understand why he is forever done with these formidable adversaries. 

  I helped create the problem so the quandary is mine to solve.  Should I, as my brother once did,  trap the offenders and take them to the "Head of Sulphur?."  (I grew up hearing stories about the deep hollows of Sulphur from my dad who grew up free ranging hogs and cattle in the mountains.) 

My brother told the story of an old sow raccoon that had been robbing his hens' nests, so he trapped her and took her to the Head of Sulphur.  There he and his young grandson set her free, upon which she headed down into the deep hollow.  As they watched her ramble away, the little grandson said, "Papaw, let's go find her."  They did not, but about a week later, the old sow had found her way back home and was once again in the hens' house robbing the nests.