Mother Nature's Workout

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor. It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone! (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)

Mother Nature's Workout

4/13/2015

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"You can't see plants growing unless you speed up a film, but you know that they do. Each day tiny changes take place. It's the same with your life." ~author Unknown

The alarm went off at six a.m.. I pried my eyes open and braced myself, standing and stretching before I lost my nerve. ACK! Every single muscle screamed in pain. I spent the entire weekend out in my yard tending to all of the things growing there...lawn that's turned a wild, rich green (who knew edging the driveway could make every single part of your arms sore), flowerbeds with sprouts just starting to poke through the soil (and my back reminding me that bending over to dig out twigs and leaves for hours is going to come at a cost), and Ivy that needed a trim (or more specifically it needed to be beaten back into submission)! More than once I yanked a weed or vine so hard I landed on my butt! It is glorious work having my hands in the earth, but it is very labor intensive, that Mother Nature one heck of a task master!

Yardwork is such a labor of love for me and I'm envious that Mama Schaefer, Aunt Mattie, and my father could identify every leaf, tree and flower, while I struggle to find a name for things. Usually I cheat and look them up (thank you Google), but I want to learn the names of local flora and fauna before my grandchild arrives so I can wow him with my knowledge! I can't wait to catch ladybugs and fireflies with him, play tag in the cool grass, and snuggle on a blanket with him while we star gaze. I'm looking forward to teaching him all of the wondrous ways our Earth can nourish his spirit. Keeping a bottle of Aleve on hand to soothe my aching muscles seems most wise!

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About The Author

I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

From the Front Porch