Organic Horse Trough Garden Update

My friend JJ said it was time for an update on the garden, so here it is!  It's been five weeks since I put the horse trough organic garden together!  I've added some other plants and will note it under the pictures.  In the horse trough I've got: Bok Choi, Broccoli, Basil, Sweet Pepper, Yellow Pepper, Green Pepper, Eggplant, Burpless Cucumber, Zucchini Squash and Gold Bar Squash.  Yes, it is somewhat crowded.  My plan is to take the vines as they grow and drape them over the trough.  Let's hope it works out ok!  I also added earth worms to the soil one week after I did the planting as their castings are a great fertilizer.

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking care of the garden and watching it grow.  It's fun!  It may seem like something simple, but I enjoy the simple things...  This is also my first garden so I am rather excited about it!  There were several plants in my garden that were damaged in the bad hail storm several weeks back.  I wasn't quite sure if they were going to make it or not.  I am happy to say that they have thrived! 

I hope that you take time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life!  I also hope that when the storms come and you experience some heart, ego, physical, mental or spiritual damage, that you will know that you are not alone.  Seek support from a friend, a mentor, your family and your Lord.  I promise, in due time, you too will grow & thrive again.  HOPE... always hope and believe in yourself how valuable and precious you really are!

Much Love,
Robin




I made the picture larger so the detail would show up better.



Orange Smoothie Pumpkin - great for cooking and decoration.

Italian Oregano & Parsley, Orange & Red Pepper



Roma Tomato



Lettuce

Raspberry Bushes that came over from the neighbors backyard.

Roses



The 'Right Person' Myth

A friend shared with me a series called 'The New Rules for Love, Sex & Dating' by Andy Stanley.  

When I meet the right person, everything will be all right. This way of thinking creates trouble in our dating lives and sets us up for trouble in marriage. In this message, Andy challenges us to ask ourselves Am I the person the person I'm looking for is looking for? And he previews God's list of behaviors that will lead to success in dating and marriage.

Andy is an excellent speaker that will challenge you to think about how you're going about your dating life or desire to have one.  We all want to find that 'Right Person' but how much time do we spend on ourselves to become the 'Right Person'.  BECOMING is the word to focus on.  We are either growing or decaying.  Are you working on the quality traits that will be attractive to someone else.  Not on a superficial level but on a deeper level.  Those quality traits become who you are... your BEING.  These qualities require effort and don't just happen...

Are you approaching your relationships thinking like a child and reasoning like a child?  You probably think you are NOT but take a deeper look at what 's happening in your past or present relationships.  It's time to put ways of childhood behind you and become the person with genuine qualities you're both looking for.  Chemistry and passion may bring people together but if you don't have the qualities Andy speaks of, your relationship will not last because even the chemistry and passion will go away...

I want to stress there is a difference between having a fun child likeness in how you may look at some things in life and having the ability to play.  I'm not referring to that when I mentioned reasoning like a child above.  I'm sure you know the difference as I love to play and have fun myself!  My challenge to you is to take the time to view this link with an open mind and an open heart because you are either growing or decaying...

Which one will you choose?

http://www.northpoint.org/messages/the-new-rules-for-love-sex-and-dating

Much Love,
Robin

'Just Walk With Me'

Are you stuck in a rut?  Do you do the same thing over and over again?  Do you like to keep on schedule?  If you answered yes to any of the above then that's not uncommon.  I like schedules except on the weekends and vacations.  We all get into our daily routines.  What I'm going to share is something rather simple but quite meaningful. 

I go on two walks a day with my dog Cheyenne.  She does well on a regular feeding and walking schedule.  Over the weekend I decided to do my afternoon walk in the evening and by chance went a different way than I usually do.  As we were walking on the sidewalk across the street and down an entire block was an elderly woman.  I literally could see her smiling from that distance so Cheyenne and I crossed the street to meet her.  It is not uncommon to visit with others on walks when you have an 'overly social' dog such as my Cheyenne girl!

Betty introduced herself and after talking briefly we realized we had some things in common.  She explained to me where she lives but I wasn't quite sure where she was talking about so she said 'just walk with me'. I learned that she is 80 years old and lost her husband 10 years ago but still has family in the area.  She had knee surgery on both knees just a year ago and walks daily.  We both enjoy having tea so I'm sure we're going to meet up soon.  Here's the thing.  I asked her what day would work out best for her and she proceeded to tell me her schedule:  mass every morning, volunteers for two different organizations a couple of times a week and something else that I just don't remember.  So we left it at I would drop off one of my business cards the next time I was in her area and she would call me back.

Here I was thinking that she would enjoy some company when in reality she is company to so many different people!  Wow!  To be 80 years old and living a life of contribution on a daily basis like that.  Her smile is contagious and she has such a genuine warmth to her.  I am looking forward to the conversations and the things I'm going to learn from Betty! 

As I mentioned above, this is simple yet meaningful.  Two things to think about:  change your schedule every now and then and go a different way to be open to the possibilities in your life.  Secondly, is there someone in your life that you can say 'just walk with me'?  That really stood out to me... 'JUST WALK WITH ME'. 
Are you walking along with someone or can someone walk with you?  What about both?  It could be in the form of: mentoring, friendship, helping out by babysitting, house sitting, errands, etc.  ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!  

But Robin, I don't have any extra time!  Well, you have your family and current friends and if they are struggling or need encouragement let them know you'll walk with them....  It doesn't have to be with someone new.

"The true measure of success lies not in how much you achieve, but in knowing you have touched the lives of others." 

Enjoy the weekend!

Much Love,
Robin