About Me

My photo
I am a retired English teacher and department head, the mother of three grand mother of four, and have been married to the same man for 52 years. I subscribe to Dr. PM Forni's concept of Civility. I was born in South Philadelphia and grew up in the 'burbs. I love soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, the Phillies, the Eagles, and San Diego. I love being Mom, Aunt Kathy, Nona Kathy, and Teacher. I spend a lot of time in my gardens in the spring and summer, and in the winter I plan what I'm going to plant. I also am an avid reader and photographer.

Translator!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Stronger Every Day

There's this spot in my garden where I dumped extra manure. I had forgotten about it until the perennials -- red monarda that I had planted there a long time ago began to grow. It all looks healthy, but in that particular spot the monarda are mutantly gigantic. Here are two views:


When we got back from Bermuda on Sunday we learned our daughter had a problem and so we welcomed her and our 14 month old grand daughter into our home. The adjustment has not been easy as my husband and I have been empty-nesters for some time and I'm a confirmed neatnik. It's not been easy on our daughter because she is hurt and sad and independent and used to being in her own home, but we're all dealing with it. We're glad to have them both here and are thankful we can help her through this bad time.
So what's my point? Nietzsche says what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I believe this to be true. I guess another way of saying this is "manure happens". Look what it did for the monarda.

9 comments:

Cheryl said...

What do you call those sayings...like 'the grass is always greener...? I'm sure a lot of them would fit the bill here. All will work out. Good times, bad times. Time is on your side. And I better stop while I'm ahead :)

PS...Em bought My Sisters Keeper. The font was too small on the other at Books A Million. I'm thrilled she's reading. Unlike her mother!

happyone said...

Sorry to hear that your daughter is having problems. She is lucky to have you!

Purple Flowers said...

I am sure both you and your husband will help your daughter figure out what to do, if she wants the help. As you know, she's a grown woman now with child. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers, and hope everything turns out for the best.

TAG said...

I have no words of wisdom to help with the daughter situation. But I'm confident you and she will get things worked out for the best.

I do have some words on the flowers. That is a form of mint. They grow wild here. They have a really deep red flower that is awesome.

Plus one thing you might not know about the mints. Check out the stem. You'll find it is square. Yep, the stem of the plant is not round, it is square.

Find a square stem on a plant and you've found one of the mints.

TAG

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

So sorry your daughter is going through a difficult time. She is lucky to have your help and support. My experience has been that the really difficult times in life have been the catalyst for the most positive changes. I hope things will look more positive soon.

Lena said...

How lucky your daughter is to have her family's support right now. Great you have the room to take them in. Hope all is well soon.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I'm sorry to read about your daughter's troubles, and I'm glad you are there for her. It can be tricky establishing the right space with grown children who live with you, but I have every confidence that you'll work it out.

And I hope the problem, whatever it is, will get resolved in a way much better than your daughter can imagine right now.

Rick Rockhill said...

Well first of all, that garden is fantastic! How very satisfying it must be!

Re: the daughter situation. I hope things work out for her without too much pain. I'll pray for you to get some extra strength and patience too. hang in there

kateri said...

I have to agree with Nietzsche.

Really enjoyed browsing through...I'll come back. Nice to "meet" you on the phone yesterday! Visit my blog at unweavingthenest.com (I have not published in a few weeks!)

Cheers!

Kateri from FP