gardening, spiritual life

Hot mess or hot opportunity?

JOY journal

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist

The view from our kitchen window is different than it has ever been in the 12 years we have lived in this very old house. It’s also different from outside the house, which is located on a busy corner, in a neighborhood that bustles with children and dog walkers and moms who are always in a hurry to get somewhere.

All that’s left of a brick sidewalk that snaked between a bed of meadow plants and some azaleas. Will it be back? Maybe. Maybe not. And, that’s OK.

“It’s a new water main,” we keep telling neighbors, who are stunned by the state of our very visible construction zone (and worried that a similarly expensive repair might be coming their way). Just a few days ago, it was a raucous-if-going-dormant cottage garden. Now, instead the meadowy autumn remains of trumpet vine and hogweed and hostas and lilies, there is a long line of raw earth that stretches from the alley through the lawn and around the side of our house.

“Let it settle for at least two weeks,” the contractor said. At the time, we were so dazzled by the return of running water, such a schedule sounded reasonable.

Then came the walkers and their constant questions. And deer sneaking in through a gap in the picket fence to assist with the pruning. And muddy dog footprints all over the kitchen.

We have a bit of a hot mess. And, a hot opportunity.

Just this morning, my husband was admiring photos of a garden designed by a Scandinavian art type. Clean lines. The simplicity of nature with only the lightest touch of a gardener’s hand.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked. I agreed and we shared a look that seemed to confirm something. What the garden will be is not what the garden was.

The garden that was — busy with bees and butterflies and utterly endless pruning — was wonderful for a season. But, that season is over.

So, we will smooth things over as best as we can for now and spend the winter plotting. With garden books and cups of hot coffee and the enthusiasm that can only emerge during a time of dormancy.

Hot opportunity, indeed.

Published by JOY journal

A longtime journalist, Nora Edinger also blogs and writes books. Her Christian chick lit and faith-related non-fiction are available on Amazon and on this site. She lives in Appalachia, where she is part of a three-generation, three-species household.

23 thoughts on “Hot mess or hot opportunity?”

  2. Bless your hearts, you all are enduring the same challenge, brought on by someone else. So encouraged by your attitude that the present state may be a mess now, but it doesn’t determine what it shall be. You have opens doors for greater opportunity.
    The mess or mishaps, presently seen is only temporal. It shall blossom into something beautiful .
    Thanks for sharing, truly inspiring.
    🤗💜🌸

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. I can only imagine. You are certainly welcome, truly a pleasure, as your post was encouraging. 😇🌸
        We endured and overcame a tropical rain and flood inside the house. Plumbing issue some months back.
        It developed another level of Patience. 😆😀💜🌸

        Liked by 1 person

  3. It seems that several bloggers are on the same page this morning. One blog was a writing prompt about a “loss” that tuned into a gain, and another was about giving thanks for what we have instead of focusing on what we don’t have. I’m guessing we’ll all be a little happier. 😉 Enjoy your beautiful new garden.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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