Last weekend I took advantage of the free fishing lessons offered by the state.
There were at least 20 participants, quite a few family families of varies sizes in attendance. There was two husband and wife teams. There was a mother and her special needs son. The instructor, aides and his mother were very patient and encouraging as his struggled in the beginning to learn about casting and setting up his rod. It was all worth it seeing the glee on his face after he caught his first two fish. The whole group cheered him on.
While we are the lake practicing, I noticed another family unit consisting of a grandfather, father and son. They all were very congenial and polite. We talked about our collective fishing experience and reasons for taking the lesson. The dad and granddad joyfully shared photos from recent fishing trips showing the father with a small shark. I witnessed them standing at different edges of the lake, teasing and cheering each other on as the caught sunnies and blue gill. They took turns carrying the equipment and food cooler to and from the park, lake and car. Of course they took more photos for memories. The pride on the son’s face when his dad took a picture of his first catch was unforgettable. In between was a short break when they sat on a bench together eating a simple fare of sandwiches and cold bottles of water.
The lesson was free, food costed just few bucks, but the life experience was priceless. Being able to share in another person’s struggles and triumphs–“YOU CAN’T PUT A PRICE ON THOSE THINGS”. Especially when it comes to your own family.
There are many families going on long road trips, taking airplanes to exotic vacations and that is ok. However, every now and then it pays to keep it simple and pass on more priceless memories. As a family pick out some cookbooks and magazines at the local library or borrow a few from grandmom. Think about taking trip to your local orchard and picking fresh fruit in season. Strawberries, blueberries, peaches and plums are plentiful this time of year. Pack a lunch and shares stories if you did the same as a kid. Let the kids explore nature and enjoy the sunshine. When you get home, freeze, dehydrate and cook some treats the same day. Teach them to share by giving a baked treat to a sick relative or neighbor. Bake some muffins and quick bread to have when you have to rush out to work or school and don’t have time to cook.
These simple family activities have some many benefits that it’s unbelievable. Consider the aromas, feelings, and sounds of joy that you will create. The lasting effects on themselves and the world around them is phenomenal.
Now is the time. Tomorrow is not promised to you. Think of something easy and relaxing that you like to do. If it is something that you can share with someone else, do it. Do it with love. Do it often and remember to keep it simple and pass it on.
The weather is hot, school is just about over and you got traveling and fun on your mind. The days are longer, the kids have time a plenty, but the money flow has not increased by a penny. Many families are trying to balance the need to have summer fun without breaking the budget. In this post I would like to point some things that you can do that cost little or no money. Here some suggestions to turn a summer vacation into a “Free-cation”–having a good time with little or no money.
To start, let’s look at what you may already have in stock. If you pack food for work and your kids’ lunch for school, just re-use those lunch boxes and water bottles. There are a lot of free museums, zoos and concerts that you can take advantage of but if you don’t bring your own food, you will have to eat out. Food trucks and restaurants can be extremely expensive. Even if you have access to free beaches, the cost of eating out down at the shore is ridiculous.
Next let’s look at what you already paid for with your tax dollars. There a lot of free activities offered at your free library. Tummy and story time for toddlers. Board and video game clubs for elementary kids to High schoolers. Free exercise and computer classes. Many public libraries offer free museum and zoo passes. A lot of these activities take place inside a fully air-conditioned building. Let the kids hang out there and stop turning up your air conditioning and jacking up your electricity bill. While you are there, why borrow a few movies to set a theater in your back yard. Invite some folks over and have a potluck. Just image–Star Wars under the stars. Instead of a drive-in you can do a tent in.
Another resource for free summer fun is the local department of parks and recreation. In the county I live in we have a host of free summer concerts, festivals, sport events etc. I even found out they offer free fitness classes and kayaking lessons. Say it with me “FREE, FREE, FREE, FREE,” Let it roll off your tongue but not your wallet. My last suggestion is that many states offer “FREE FISHING LESSONS”!
If you are 16 and younger you will not need to purchase a fishing license. Adult supervision is always advised though (depending on each kid’s level of maturity.) I live in New Jersey and the state sponsors free fishing lessons to all ages including adults. The lessons include instructors, equipment and supplies. They usually also have volunteers who are experienced fishermen/women that will help attendees learn how to use the equipment. Twice a year -early summer and fall they have free family fishing days.
So as soon as possible grab the crew and calendar and have family planning meeting. Pull out the laptop, parks and recreation bulletin that you received in the mail and start customizing your family “Freecation”. They choices are plenty even if the funds are not.
Unit next time MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT! Let the good times roll!!
Time to deep clean, get rid of clutter and get organized! Mom, not just you but everybody that is living under your roof. All hands-on deck! The focus of this post to motivate individuals and families to 1. To do a thorough deep cleaning of their living quarters. 2. Declutter by getting rid of items that they no longer need or find useful. 3 To organize their space in order to feel more peaceful and productive.
One of the most optimum times to do this is during Easter/Spring break. Usually kids are off from school for about two weeks. It does not take long for them to start yelping that they are bored. As one superhero once said (I can’t remember exactly who) “Time to use that power for the good of mankind. “
If this is your first time doing this, start small in an area they are used too. Their rooms and with their school supplies. Show them how to sort through school supplies. You will be surprised how much that they have left once you get rid of scraps and stuff from previous assignments. I worked with kids in public schools for 12 years. It was shocking to see what accumulates inside their desks. I helped students to clean them out periodically. One kid kept getting a new pencil from the teacher’s desk every time he missed placed his. While I was helping him, we found over 20 unused pencils and two notebooks full of paper. Out of necessity I had to utilize this strategy in my own home. My youngest child had special needs and needed constant help with organization. My wonderful offspring had the attention span that was knee -high to a fly. This kid never checked to see if she already had what she needed. She just asked me to purchase more. Money was already tight due to her medical issues. It did not make sense to take away from our emergency fund for supplies that she really did not need.
After Easter there is only approximately 2 months left for school. Why buy it when you don’t have too. When you get done with their school stuff, go through their closets and drawers. Inventory all their clothes. Teach them how to sew on buttons, mend holes etc. Instead of buying new things, make the most of what they have. If they have grown out it. Clean, repair then swap it. Times has always been tight but now is one of those times in history where we have to be careful with every dime. The money you save could be that extra cushion during a layoff from a job or medical emergency. I strongly suggest that you teach them how to dust and wipe off furniture. Even the smallest child can pick up and remove any trash that can harbor mites and allergens. Many kids have asthma and allergies. Dust and clutter can harbor bugs and allergens. Of course, many will whine about taking a more active part in keeping the house clean. Remind them that if you have to take time off of work to take them to the doctors unnecessarily then that is less more coming into house for them. The money spent for medication and copays, the less available vacations and fun stuff. They may not be able to take you place and earn money for the household, but they can help by doing chores to help keep the whole family healthy. Ask them do they want to deal the effects of the dust or the effects of a trip to Disney?
As a family pick one major project to work on together. It could be cleaning out and organizing the garage. It could be washing and detailing the car. Quick hint —-“If they see the mess they make and are made responsible for cleaning it up, they will be less likely to do in the first place.”
There are many books about cleaning with natural cleaners and activities to make this fun for the whole family. Don’t forget to reward them for doing well. Treat them to a family movie night, their favorite restaurant or another fun activity. This will keep them motivated to continue doing the right thing and show them that you appreciate all their hard work.
Well, here we are the still at the beginning of the of 2025. Tariffs looming, money is already tight, but life goes on. You still got to work and take care of your family. Starting a garden can help in several ways.
Home gardening creates a calming atmosphere for adults and children that takes them away from the negative onslaught of TV and the internet. Provides healthy food, easy exercise. It is also good for romance. Just think of all the money you’ll save and loads of affection you’ll receive by bringing your wife or girlfriend a bouquet almost week.
Not everyone has a farm or a big yard, yet alone a big budget. So here are few ways to get started for pennies on a dollar. Start by going to the library and reading up on gardening. While you are there check to see if they have a seed library, many do. You can order free seeds. Also, almost every county in the US has a Master Gardens program. They may have a seed saving library where you can order free seeds too. You can also send them email or call them on their hot line if you are having problems with pest, diseases or just need assistance to make your garden productive. They are associated with the local University. A lot of what they offer is fact based and update information. Take of advantage if they have a monthly newsletter. I am a part of the Camden County Certified Gardners and ours is called The Savvy Gardener.
Check your municipality to see if they have a community garden in the area. In community gardens people can rent a plot for the year to plant fresh produce or flowers. As long as is it legal. They usually have a garden community with rules and regulations. This is to keep everyone working together harmoniously and deal with any issues that arise in a civil manner. I have had garden plot since 2008 in various communities where I have lived. Gardening too me is an oasis and source joy. I cannot even begin to show enough gratitude for. —-But I will try.–Every year I had plenty of fresh vegetables to process and freeze. Which supplements my food budget. In the summer, there lots of tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers plenty for summer salads. Fresh corn and watermelons for cook outs. Might of fact, I can’t tell how many easy side dishes that I have put together for family get togethers from what I have grown from garden. Caprese salad made from tomatoes and basil I picked that very morning. When travelling, I take hostess gifts for my family that put me up the week. I get a bed for the week, and they got homemade pies and quick breads from sweet potatoes and zucchini. Let’s not forget veggies to add to the grill at BBQ’s or other gatherings. Those bake goods also freeze well and was shared during the holidays and given as gifts. Finally, when I didn’t have any food ready to harvest, I was able to harvest flowers to treat myself to fresh bouquets.
My youngest daughter had special needs. She utilized the garden to take photos for her afterschool photography club. Her teachers were so impressed that they featured her work in the school newspaper. Imagine seeing your kid poising with lettuce and greens. She was a cute tomatoe!!
To further cut costs is to share seeds. There are usually more the enough seeds in packet to be share with 3 to 4 households and many get donated and wasted in not used. Start a neighborhood gardening club to split the cost of seeds, tools and labor. It is shame to say almost every day I see too many kids running around getting trouble because they claim that they bored and have nothing to do. A gardening club is a great way to channel that energy and help put them in a calming atmosphere. I’m sure their pediatricians will be more than happy that they are being exposed to healthy fresh food.
When comes to garden tools-CHEAPER IS NOT ALWAYS COST EFFECTIVE. You don’t need lumps of cash to buy top shelf-brands. However, since multiple people will be using and sharing the tools, it is advisable to investigate before you buy. You should purchase quality tools and equipment that will last many seasons. When you decide to upgrade, better quality means that you will be able to get some kind of market value that can be used to offset the cost of the next purchase.
Some communities have a tool sharing library. You usually have to be a member of that community to use it and fill out an application. It is great because if you don’t want to buy or can’t afford to a piece of equipment such as lawnmower, shovel or rototiller, you can borrow it, use it for the agreed time and return it. Just like you would do a book from a regular library.
What if you live in apartment or suburban area with little space? If you are creative, you can grow something just about anywhere. Look around at your front porch/ yard. How about your balcony or patio. Perhaps you can stick a few containers here and there. There are some herbs and plants that don’t need pollinators to produce. They can serve a dual purpose. A source of food and decoration, which helps creates and more relaxing home space.
Aerogardens and hydroponics are becoming more popular.
You can save on seed starting by reusing yogurt cups and milk cartons. Wash and sterilize them. You can cut off the tops of plastic soda, and water bottles and reuse them also. Just make sure to take stick pin to poke holes in the bottom of the whatever containers you are using for drainage. Another cost savvy strategy is to make use your kitchen scraps (fruit, vegetables, coffee grinds and egg shells) to make compost. There are so many at home composter available now and you can make your own compost system with two trash cans. At my community garden we have been utilizing it for years and it so easy.
In one (galvanized steel) I keep and bag of manure such as Black Cow and Scotts Topsoil. I use the layer method. On the bottom of the other ( can be plastic with a securable lid) I put a layer of grass and leaves, then I put my scraps that have cut into small 1-inch pieces for easy breakdown. Then I put a layer of topsoil and a scope of manure. No added moisture because it will make this slimy. I place brick to on top of the cans to keep critters and rain out. No turning needed. Every week I bring the scrapes from my kitchen composter and add layers like making lasagna until it is full then I start another when necessary. Everything is breaking down slowly and nicely. It is breaking down for the next season. So, while working your garden this year, you are building compost for the next season. Using what you got to get what you need. TIPS— Do not add meat or greasy foods to compost. WILL DRAW UNWANTED VISITORS!! WASPS, DOGS, BEARS ETC!! Also do not added onions, garlic or citrus. They will irritate the earth worms’ bellies. We want to keep them happy and feely roaming in garden. The add nutrients and aerate the soil.
In conclusion, sticking with the theme of my blog,– just sharing a few simple ideas to add joy to your journey of life. MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT UNTIL NEXT TIME.
It’s the beginning of March and winter is just about over. Winter was a time of rest and regeneration. The garden was cleared out, soil amended and covered with mulch or a cover crop. This allowed the earth time to rest and recharge for the upcoming Spring growing season. In between December and February avid gardeners review journals to see what problems they encountered last season. Take note of what produced well and any surprises. This information gets utilized to prepare for the next season. Last season my beans were infested with the Mexican bean beetle. My zinnias and okra were plagued by powdery mildew due to high humidity.
This year I plan to be more attentive. On a daily basis I will hand pick any eggs, larvae and adults of the Mexican bean beetle and use floating row covers. For the problem of the powdery mildew, I will plant less varieties and quantities of plants to allow for better air circulation and space between each plant. This will reduce the chance of diseases spreading throughout the plot.
This is a simple strategy that has worked for centuries because plants have lasted for centuries despite various threats such as insects, diseases and climate changes. This strategy is highly effective for humans as well. The strategy gives us the opportunity to see what has worked and what has not. Driven by what we have discovered, we can adjust our tactics to produce better outcomes in the future.
I am firm believer in journaling. It is very relaxing and meditative for me to write about thoughts, actions and various events that occurred in my daily life. I review my old journals so I can take notice of what repeated behaviors and scenarios that have followed me through the years. I need to see the goals that were set and achieved. Also to see the ones that were not and find out why. In my opinion self-reflection is necessary not just for survival but a prerequisite for thriving in life.
Change is an inside job. It is also counterculture because everybody wants to point the finger at the person next to them as the cause of all their problems. When you turn on the tv, boot up your computer, log in to your social media account–IT’S THEM, YEAH THAT DUDE OR CHICK, WITH A DIFFERENT SKIN OR HAIR COLOR, NATIONALITY, SEXUAL PREFERENCE, POLITICAL BELEIFS, FINANCIAL STATUS, SPEAK A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE–THEY ARE THE CAUSE OF ALL MY ISSUES FOR THE LAST 10 TO 20 YEARS!!!!
I know for a fact, that I have not lived, worked or traveled to the same places for the last 10 to 20 years. I have not dealt with same people or even eating the same foods that entire time. The only thing that has been constant during any point in that timeline is ME!! Of course there have been some physical changes from getting older. Hopefully some mental changes by learning and becoming wiser. For example, I am now in my late 50’s and about to go into retirement. On a yearly basis I am looking at what have I saved. Checking to see if I need to make adjustments in my spending. Will there be enough in my banking and retirement accounts after I stop working full time. If not, how long do I need to continue working. Do I need adjust my life insurance, will and trust? Have I planned for any long-term sickness and set up a support system before I am incapacitated? Do I need to make amends and let go old stupid grudges?
Just like me, only by searching from within can you find the answers that you need to not only survive but thrive in the next season of your life.
There is an old saying., “Those who don’t learn from their mistakes are due to repeat them.”—We are human, and it is no crime to make mistakes, we all do. They key is to learn from them so we can move on. Sadly, lately instead of learning from them folks just dig their heels. They rather keep saying and doing the same things over and over, then blame others for the problems they have created for themselves.
So, before you more onto the next season in your life, take some time for some self-reflection. Look back to see where you have been, make any adjustments so that you can grow and produce better results in the future.
Start with the main purpose. -The why we celebrate?
There 4 main reasons- that are generally associated with the Christmas season.
Celebrate God’s Love for us through the Birth of Jesus Christ.
To exchange gifts and spread happiness.
Spend to quality time with family and friends
To feast on foods that are normally only prepared during this time of year.
How can we do it, especially with the craziness that has been going on lately? Keeping with the theme of my blog and life. Focus on going with the flow of the season that you are in RIGHT NOW. (Season of your life, young, old, motherhood, fatherhood, senior etc.) Accepting that there will be things that you can do more or less easily at each stage. Right now, a lot of folks no matter what age, are facing financial hardships and time restrictions. Some may have health issues that have affected their mobility and finances. There is always the price of inflation, (does not matter what political side you are on) as long as you have to pay someone else for your basic needs (shelter, food, clothing, etc.) life will be pricey. Keeping mind that the holiday memories should be the most cherished experiences and meaning behind them.
Speaking from a Christian point of view (my personal beliefs), just as the Messiah came in the package of a babe in the manager, we can put the most wonderful holiday experiences into small wonderful and powerful packages.
Religious services are important to children as well as adults. In the African American community, Christmas Eve/Day service and Watchnight service on New Year’s Eve brought a lot of comfort and stability into my life and my children’s. Afterwards some churches offer a meal, or you can meet up at a relatives’/friend’s house to eat.
My youngest had special needs which required me to work part-time and in order to care for her. There was not a lot of cash left over after doctor’s appointments, medical bills, special foods and hygiene products. Somehow, we found a way to make Christmas special. We would have her cousins and friends come over to watch holiday movies, bake holiday cookies and make decorations. The public library has lots of free movies and holiday craft events. There are lots of cookbooks that you can search through as a family. Some libraries have sections of free books after they have purged their shelves to make room for newer inventory. The kids also would bring a of list of their classmates and teachers to make and exchange cards with. Throughout the year, I collected Christmas cards, mugs and ornaments from thrift stores. As a family we’d pick an evening or two where each child brought a box of cards, box of mini candy canes along with their lists. While watching the old Holiday Classics, they would sing, laugh and bake cookies. We turned the radio to the station that played holiday music all the time.
They drank hot cocoa from a mug they picked out themselves. After the cookies were baked, they made cookie platters to take home to their immediate families along with a Christmas ornament for their tree. They all left with bags of cards to pass out at school and in their own neighborhoods. Since everyone has a cellphone these days, don’t forget the MUGSHOTS!!! Take pictures to keep and share. They will always cherish the memories of drinking in a night of warmth and joy.
This is an easy add on feature to exchange gifts and happiness. Do this event family size. Keeping the number of families at a manageable level and add a Thrifty swap to the mix. We all go through changes in life and are at different stages. Items that we no longer use but are still in good shape can be collected, organized into categories. The host/hostess can set up a den, garage or family room like a holiday department store. Things such as old toys, clothes, kitchen devices and tool and sports equipment. While everyone is off for the Thanksgiving weekend or teacher conferences and kids swear that they are bored and have nothing to do, work as team to clean, organize the garage, basement and attic areas. As you go through those areas, see what you can clean, lightly repair and give as gifts to someone else in your family or neighborhood. Just think, did someone just have baby, get married or into fishing, bowling? You may no longer use it, but someone may find it very handy and save a few bucks in the process. Just think, Grandmas cookbooks, crockpot or fried chicken cooking fork are some of the best aids money can’t buy!!
There are many other simple family activities that can become great family traditions such as playing board games, sharing and reading books on Christmas Eve. You could also decorate the car/van and drive around to see the Christmas lights. In the back yard, set up the fire pit and decorate yard with lights, blow ups and wreaths. Fire up the grill, set up the bar for holiday karaoke. One of my fondest memories was back in the 70’s in Philadelphia where we actually got enough to snow to throw your youngest sibling in it and they would disappear, was late night snowball fights, sledding or snow sculptures. Add some hot refreshments like cocoa, hot cider, soups and grilled cheese sandwiches and it’s a party!! Cheap food, frills and thills. It’s not the money; it’s the memories and mayhem that matter!!!
As far as sharing foods that not usually shared at other times of year, that can be tricky. Again, I had to adjust to the season life I was in. I was a single mother raising two children and one of them had special needs. I still had to work. In order to make it special I had to focus on being present when I was needed the most. That is what made life manageable. For my family, I needed to focus on the morning time. I put most of my effort into making Christmas mornings special. Some years we had pancakes with cinnamon apples and bacon, or I prepared a Holiday breakfast casserole with fruit compote. You can put together a lot of overnight casseroles that you can just pop in the oven in the morning to focus on the opening of the presents. I also relied on homemade reheat able soups to eat for lunch since I usually had to work the evening shift. As I stated before, money was tight, so I got lot of my recipes from free magazines from the library. My mom would spend the evening with kids.
One tradition that we started was the Christmas Cake. It was a simple chocolate cake made from Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines mix with cream cheese frosting. We added Christmas colored candy for decorations and spelled out Happy Birthday Jesus!! The kids and I did that on Christmas Eve or the day before. That was our simple special holiday dessert/treat. Even though I was at work, we made it together as a family and with love. They happily ate it with grandmom and other family/guests who stopped by.
Before we depart ways for now let’s look at activities for New Years. As I stated before watchnight service is a tradition on my family. However, with the issues of Covid -19 and other illness wreaking havoc with normal festivities we need to be more creative to enjoy the moments. During the pandemic zoom became a life saver to folks who needed to stay connected without sharing lethal cooties. Set up family zoom meetings, skype or WhatsApp to provide visual contact. There is always the old fashion method of mailing cards as a way of spreading good cheer.
Changing how and when your crew gets together to match the times. The CDC suggests that changing to more outdoor activities rather than indoor because germs will not be as condensed as if you were in a closed area. I still love Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I have opted to make the 4th of July my get together with family and friends’ holiday of choice. I collect gifs and things throughout year to give it them in person. We also create a banner listing the seasons and each person’s birthday. You can be even more creative and separate the banner into 4, one for each season. The youngers kids love to help, and create hats for each season.
We put on some fun music and pranced around in a B-day parade, wearing the hats and showing the banner to represent that season. Try making a family newsletter. Keep everyone informed about changes and accomplishments within the family. A newsletter is a tangible way to celebrate marriages, new births, graduations, awards, promotions, retirements etc. You can also list folks who need prayers, outreach calls and text. The world is a scary place to feel left alone.
These are just a few things that I wanted to share. Hopefully they can help folks keep the most precious aspect of our lives special. To love and cherish one another through the good times and bad. Finally, to keep things simple and live life to the fullest.
Plot–the sequence of interconnected events within the story, play, novel, film, epic etc.
Life–the period between birth and death or to experience or state of being alive.
After living over a half- a -century trying to fit in, do the right thing, dot every I, cross every T in pursuit of the so-called American dream. I returned time and time again to a reoccurring nightmare of endless episodes of random carrot moving at the end of the stick scenarios.
We all know the old storyline. Go to school, work hard to get promoted, buy the house and raise a happy family. I went to school, worked hard, hardly ever got the promotion. When I did get promoted, still could not afford the house and the stress of it all did not make me or my family happy. Might of fact due to stress, I lost ground in the areas of physical and mental health.
Over and over again, I tried to adjust and change to make myself more appealing to my bosses, management and others deemed to be authority figures by society. However, the changes soon became never ending and/or never good enough to please or appease episodes. These scenes became replays of the insurance commercial which had an elderly man of a non-color defined skin tone wearing fishing gear stating, “YOU GOT TO BE QUICKER THAN THAT!”
The problem was that I was looking to people outside of myself to define my vision of success and what would make me and my family happy. Each time I reeducated and reinvented myself, I did not look within. I did not look at how my efforts were slowly depleting me on all aspects. Professions such has healthcare, social services, education and even financial management were high stress and high burn out fields. They required extensive training, certifications, appraisals and brown nosing to get ahead. Let’s not forget people pleasing, self-sacrifice and at times enabling to even get your efforts noticed let alone appreciated.
This process went on for decades. This led to self-imploding and resource eroding results. “Was it worth it?” For very few in society yes. For far too many such as myself “NO!”
After hitting bottom, a couple of times and in various areas of my life, I realized things had to change. That change had to begin with me. Starting with my mindset and how I viewed and acted upon life. I had to acknowledge that I did not enjoy the rat race, moving with the pact mentality. All that multi-tasking, dog eat dog, me first to get ahead way of life. Yes, I want financial stability and to enjoy the pleasures of life but no longer at the expense of me and my families physical, and emotional wellness. I began to seek a life that has more balance.
In this next chapter of my life, I want to continue to learn and incorporate simple, time-tested strategies to balance my life in the areas of health, finance and relationships. Some may be new; some may be old but revamped to fit current times. This blog is my vehicle to share my journey with others on the similar path. Readers may be able to relate to the ideals and views or not. It is okay. Take what you like and leave the rest. Better yet there is an old saying ” When eating fish, know when to spit out the bones.” My ultimate goal is to share a little more peace and happiness with my fellow human beings. Once we are at peace and happy within ourselves, we experience self-love. People who know how to love themselves are better able to love someone else. To that is what the world needs more than anything else. LOVE!
When I was growing up in the 70’s, kids used to love waking up on Saturday mornings to eat a big bowl of Apples Jacks, Fruit Loops or Frosted Flakes and watch Saturday Morning Cartoons. As early as 7 am our eyes were glued, lips slurping as I sat in a trance watching shows like the Super Friends, Captain Caveman and Space Ghost.
This was ME time before it was thing. You see this was our reward for getting up 6:00 am everyday, Monday to Friday to walk to school. At school we spent 7 hours doing classwork and other academic activities. Then we walked home to do chores, homework, eat dinner, some more chores, take a bath, maybe watch 1 of tv then went to bed by 7/8pm. BUT ON SATURDAY MORNING, OH BOY! No getting up at 6 am to washup, get dressed, load up bookbags and rush out the door for anything!!!!! We did rush into the kitchen get our Frosted Flakes fix and find the best spot on the floor in the living room. There we stayed until the Wide World of Sports came on. The gig was up and we needed to clean our bowls and utensils and get on with our Saturday chores.
Saturday morning chores were like our everyday chores on steroids. We did not just dust. We moved furniture, wiped down shelves, swept and mopped floors. We washed walls including baseboards. We did extensive deep cleaning and organizing. It was hard but rewarding work. It was not always enjoyable at the time. However afterwards we did appreciate having a cleaner house.
As an adult, I don’t watch cartoons or eat Apple Jacks or Frosty Flakes. Might a fact, I swear I still have few bowlfuls attached to my thighs and stomach from back in the day. However, I have recently revamped a similar Saturday morning routine. Sometimes I eat a cold bowl of plain cheerios with berries or a banana and coffee. Other times its scramble eggs, sausage, toast and coffee. Instead of cartoons I indulge by reading magazines, books or newspapers. I search for new recipes, tips and ideas that I would not be able to explore during the hustle and bustle of the workweek. All this while still in my pjs.
Then maybe by 1 pm/2pm, I wash my dishes get dressed to do my Saturday chores. This routine helps to refresh and prepare me for upcoming work week. Its’s an oldie but still a goodie, and relevant to today’s busy lifestyle. Try it. You might like. Frosted Flakes is optional!!!
When purchasing produce, we are often advised to buy what is in season. The ones that are plentiful and cost less at that time of year. Produce purchased within season often taste better. As I get older, I am learning that each season of life its own merits. There are some things and abilities that are easier to do at various stages in our lives. There are not all the same, yet equally unique and important. They offer enrichment, as long as we remain teachable.
Moving from complicated to simplicity.
I was a person who lived by tasks on to do lists. Checking things off as I went, to make sure I was on the right path to success. I got degrees and certificates on the wall. I gladly paid fees to be part of various many organizations to show that this chick truly knew her stuff. Only to have the dangling carrot to be moved further away and life whisper ” got to be quicker than that”. This went on for years until I reached exhaustion and ran out of money. I was working like a dog and treated worse than one in the corporate world. I had to stop and change my focus. Began listening to my creator and what my own inner voice was trying to tell me. “TOO MUCH!” “FOR WHAT”. “NO PEACE’!
GMO-God First, Me Second, Then others.
My creator does not want me to be destructive to myself or others. I must be aware of what I put into my mind, heart, body and how I take care of my finances. Gardening is one way that I restore my mind, heal a broken heart and feed my body. The sounds of birds and other creatures is very soothing. The gentle warmth of the sun and a soft breeze kissing my skin. The fresh smells of the soil and nourishing vegetation. When I am surrounded by this natural goodness my heart sings with joy. I know that is where I belong. I no longer ignore the gut feeling when something is not sitting right with me. Chasing that carrot, often left me, exhausted, resentful and confused. When my thoughts and actions are aligned with God and my own intuition the outcome is much better. So, the next chapter in my book of life is God first, me second, others third.
This morning a felt a deep conviction in my spirit to deviate from my usual daily routine a bit. My day began with the usual prayer and short meditation. However instead of doing a session of yoga and eating breakfast, I took a quick shower, got dressed and got to my garden plot as quickly as I could. On my way out the door, I quickly glanced at the paperwork and to do list on my desk. Although I just literally just got out of bed, I did not have the stamina to tackle that stack.
Less than 10 minutes later I arrived at the community garden where my plot is located. It had only been a little over an hour since sunrise and life in this neck of the woods was in full swing. The breeze was soft and warm. The sun brightly kissed the sky. As I opened the main gate to the garden, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of growth that had occurred over the last few days due the frequent thunderstorms. The tomato plants grew at least 3 inches taller and 4 inchers wider. Sunflowers and corn looked like they were hi-fiving the clouds. The summer squash resembled large green octopuses holding yellow bouquets and mini- green baseball bats. Bees did their breakfast dance, hopping from vivid patches of red, purple, pink and yellow. They paid me no attention at all as I walked by.
When I got to my plot, I started working to remove the yellowing plants that were not thriving. Then I got rid of any extra summer crops that I was not going to use because of changing dietary issues. Finally, the last things I did before I took a break were pruning and weeding. During my break, I rested, drank some water and reflected. As I looked the progress that took place, I began to feel a deep sense of accomplishment. The area looked neater and less cramped. There was more space in between the vegetation, which improved the air flow and sun penetration. I was able to determine where I could create two rows for cool season crops. I also found a couple containers to re-use.
After a few more minutes, I got up to continue my work. I reached into my fanny pack and pulled out a couple packs of seeds. Just like an expecting mother I was still struggling to make choices up until the very last moment before birth. This struggling had been going on for at least six months. Hence the collection of seeds catalogs in my apartment and the many trips to Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart garden centers. So many options to choose from and all very desirable. However, I narrowed it down to a few of my favorite vegetables that I look to cook and eat. I also based my finally decision on my declining eye sight. For example, last year I had a bumper crop of bush beans. Unfortunately, harvesting them became difficult because the green beans were hard for me to spot in between the green leaves. So, this year I choose to try purple ones. Along with purple carrots and broccoli. Purple strings beans were planted two months earlier and they were doing great. The petite purple flowers on the pole vines were stunning. The beans turn green when you cook them, and they tasted delicious.
Continuing on with the purple theme, in the first row I planted purple snax carrots. I got them tucked in and labeled. Since the carrots were root crops, I was going to sow a leafy cool season crop, kale, in the second row. That did not pan out. I began to read the seed packet some more before I opened it to plant the contents and it stated, “BEST IF PLANTED IN CONTAINERS.” Time for another change! I saved the kale for the containers and planted some purple broccoli in the second row.
My time in the garden was coming to an end. I got a lot done. I put away the tools, took the weeds out to the proper disposal bins and watered everything. I took my final break before leaving. Again, as I rested and reflected on what was done, the feeling of accomplishment returned. I felt it more than before. My plot looked less crowded and neater. The pole beans were still putting forth lots of pods. The late potatoes and bush beans were habituating nicely next one another. My tomatoes and basil were growing in harmony in their area. Last but not least the new greenie babies were in their new homes to make their debut in the fall. Not a disgruntle neighbor in the bunch. To top it all off, I got to enjoy all this in a such a beautiful, peaceful atmosphere.
That is when the thought hit me. THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED! To see and feel the tangible results of my labor. This experience refreshened and invigorated me. I was able to return home and work on completing the paperwork and to do list. As I grow older and wiser, I realize that it is ok to heed the signals our conscience is telling us. There is nothing more constant than change. Circumstances change, people change physically and mentally. It is ok to do things differently to accommodate these changes. Like me growing purple vegetables because of the decline my eyesight. Changing my morning routine to get out of a mental, physical and emotion rut. Which allowed me to continue my day and deal with the drudgery of paperwork and to do list. Purple vegetables may seem weird to some people, but there is an old saying “TRY IT, YOU MIGHT LIKE. IT” and I will end with another saying “CHANGE IS GOOD.”
Simple Plot for Life 