Thinking Capacities

Sure signs of spring !! These trees - seen with an old cracker house - dot the streets of Lakeland. We don't have forcythia (which I dearly miss!) but these trees have such a cheerful impact, they make up for them.







The 4'o'clocks are always wonderful, especially in early spring. We had so many of them where we last lived and here have a problem getting them to flourish. I would continually cut them back near our side door and they would spring back and cover themselves in blooms over and over. When I wanted to replace them with another plant, we pulled all the tubers we could find and yet they came back more vigorous than ever. It makes me think that perhaps that's how we are supposed to be. When life provides challenges, pick up that seed you have left, allow for some good weather and time and know that your life garden will again flourish.

This last picture is one one of my favirite Florida things - cows every where and a sure sign of spring is their heightened 'interest' in one another. LOL... These live near one of my daughters on the other side of Lakeland.

We still have many genuine 'cowboys' and they do have a token cattle herd through the center of town once a year. In spite of the huge population in Florida there is still so much undeveloped land filled with sod farms and cattle.


Thank you, Kerri for the "Thinking" Award. As I read your post, I was so surprised - delighted... Reading good posts always makes me think - I think its the same with a good book, or a daily devotion - they always stir us to think.

A few years ago I was wondering if my 'thinking' days were over. (smile) We had 3 hurricanes pass over us with the eye and had to evacuate twice. Until that time my paperwork was pretty much in order. AFTER that I couldn't find a thing and would joke that I thought my mind had blown away with the hurricanes. Probably the fibromyalgia "fibro fog" had something to do with it, along with adjusting thyroid medicine, but I'm happy to say the thinking capacity didn't disappear altogether.

How much we take for granted until we think we've lost it! One daughter is now handling the final stages of our corporate and personal tax returns. Until last year I used to do them for others. She two two courses with H & R Block - so I feel 'safe' in turning that responsibility over to her. I still had to gather and put into order all the information and hand her the final figures - and was amazed at how quickly I was able to do that. Sometimes we have to face a challenge to know where we are able to stand.

I've also had to handle some very difficult things for my husband recently and it makes me smile inside to realize that I'm not as old as I was feeling for quite a few months. Things still have the power to delight me in a child like way - Its been a wonderful discovery. I've also had three grandchildren.. one 18, one 23, and the other 25.. stay with us at different times on and off during the last few months. Its been wonderful and apparently helped me realize I'm not quite ready for the rocking chair. HOOORay!!!

Each year I've told my husband that I thought we ought to have a small vegetable garden again. He usually says nothing, knowing that I'll forget in time and he won't need to prepare the bed. I did notice that a new neighbor has a small garden tractor and might ask if he's for hire. Being from the north, its difficult to get the seasons right for planting in the south. So much is planted in the fall for winter gardens here - and when my system is ready for planting, its usually too late. Plants don't do well during the summer heat here. Watermelons, cucumbers, squash fare well as far as the heat goes, but the summer heat and humidity bring far too many bug problems.

Each year I try a few more things - this year I'm just starting a 'mesclun garden".. Assorted small lettuces... in a tray. I can move it to follow the shade and hope for a long relationship with wonderful salads. My yellow pear tomato plant has just started to flourish on the front porch - and is hoping for some assorted companions soon.

Thank you again, Kerri. Peace that passes understanding seems to surround me, even during times when I'm not feeling terribly peaceful. I consider it one of the gifts that comes with walking with Him... available to anyone who desires it. I'm going to need a few days to choose 5 - and probably a few more days to figure out this new blogger thing. This morning I have only 2 entries in blogger and the archives have disappeared - and I haven't yet figured out how to 'paste' into the blogger anything like the "Thinking Award". LOL !!! I haven't been reading too many blogs lately - and so must go catch up on some to choose.