Continuing to Grow

I keep wanting to sit down and write, but laundry and work and NCIS re-runs keep me busy. Just kidding! I have been learning and doing so many new things it has kept me quite occupied. Of course, you've seen my blue room in my previous post, and thus two of my past-times...I am really trying to keep up the exercise and I'm meditating much more. I am beginning to realize how valuable and special meditation can be. I find myself moving from the outside world and into my 'place in the present' much easier. I was doing 5 minute sessions, which seemed like an eternity. Now it's too short and I've moved up to 10 minutes, which usually fly by. I'm generally happier and am handling my work and home pressures with a better attitude and increased energy. I'm also exercising at least 4 times per week, walking and/or weight lifting. Having a place to go - a sanctuary, if you will, is so inviting. I've kept my bedroom clutter free and my house in good order - enough that I feel comfortable inviting friends over without going into a panic. And all of this good 'karma' has taken me to a new discovery...I'm trying to learn how to scrub some of the brown off my thumb. I see a tiny smidgen of green under there. I planted Verbenas and talked to people 'in the know' at the nursery, who helped me pick out Dragonfly Begonia's for the front porch. I've researched herbs and planted rosemary, sage, parsley, basil, and oregano. I bought grass seed and pine straw and covered an area that used to be a mudbog! This is all quite bittersweet. It makes me wish I had made more of an effort years ago to learn the ins and outs of gardening. My mother is a Master Gardener, for heaven's sake! Yes, the picture is one of several ponds she has designed and coerced my brothers and dad into building. Surely there's a little bit of her in my DNA. It's quite daunting to figure out everything, but so exciting when something grows or blooms or obtains a new beauty. Heck, as I sat outside and admired my work, I thought - hmmm...I need to have someone come in and cut the limbs on the lower part of the trees. Who knows? I may be my mother some day!