:::Spring Planting:::

I decided to start some seeds this year so I could have a garden. Seeds are so much cheaper than plants, and planting seeds lets you in on the magic of watching something grow and come alive.

The most exciting part is when the first green buds peak out of the dirt.

It's so fun to search the dirt each night and each morning tiny for specks of green.

 

I planted lettuce for micro and baby greens, a tiny pot of marigolds, cosmos, zinnias, and poppies.

I also started some tomatoes and flat-leaf parsley, but nothing sprouted by the time everything else was up so I dumped all the dirt into a pile. I decided that the seeds could grow there if they felt so inclined. I call it Redemption Heap -- their last chance to cooperate in my survival-of-the-fittest garden.

On Sunday I planted another round of the same seeds, plus spinach and peppers.

The exciting news of this week is that the first true leaves are starting to sprout!

 

Isn't that first plant with the brown husk interesting? That shell is actually the seed that I put in the dirt. It's like the plant grows backwards at first. The first cotyledons slowly slips out of the shell, then the husk clings on to the remaining cotyledon until it is finally flung off. I wish I could tell you with certainty which flower it is (cosmos?), but I don't label anything when I plant. I think it make things more interesting and exciting later on.

By far, the flowers are growing much more quickly than the vegetables. And guess what? I just placed a big seed order. Striped beets and purple carrots are on their way.

:::The Quality of Mercy:::

This quote from the Merchant of Venice has been kicking around in my head today --

The quality of mercy is not strain’d,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.

The Savior is never strained with His love, mercy, or kindness. Though I may show these virtues, I don't know how often I give them without some strain, hesitance, fear, or even judgment on my part. I always marvel at how freely and openly the Savior loved those around Him. How do you even do that? What would it be like to live that way? I can imagine a small part of what it must have been like to feel that love. Why doesn't this motivate me more often to show that love to others?

Thank Goodness For Spring

I hope we get to enjoy an actual Spring season this year. Summer usually pushes its way in and ruins the fun way too early.