This is everyday life on a Missouri farm for three of my grandchildren, Ella, Hannah, and Eli … their Daddy captured a quiet moment at the chicken coop, shelter for the egg-laying hens.
Sep14
Category Archives: life
Sep12
Sharing Life
Sharing life with those who surround me has helped me grow. Like the 12-foot fig tree we pulled from the greenhouse in May. It needed to be pulled out of the ground, taproot and all in order to move to our yard while the greenhouse is being rebuilt. Apparently, it loves the companionship of our biggest,oldest maple tree as it has shot more fresh leaves in these 4 months than it had in past 4 years. This maple tree has been struck by lightening and storm winds over the years. It is bare in some places, missing branches and foliage. Kind of “bald”, and showing its age. But it provided shelter to another plant this record high-temp summer. Sharing life. So back to me. I suppose there are days I ask “why do I care?” when a reward is not in sight such as a pay raise or guaranteed friendship. Yet, I share my lfe, talents, and hard work for the betterment of my fellow man and woman. As incomplete as I am, through Jesus I am complete. The grace of God. I want to see others grow, flourish, and bloom. I want to encourage my employees to take care of themselves, and I find joy providing the tools to do so. I want my children to love unconditionally; each other, their significant others, children, and those they are surrounded with. I want my husband to know without a doubt he is loved just the way he is. I want my grandfather, parents, and siblings to know I love them, and still need them in my life no matter how old I am. Sharing life, no matter what your circumstances, condition, or age you are in, is worth it. Watch how others grow … and yourself.
Aug16
Sliver of Pink
At dusk the sunset shown scattered slivers of pink while driving to St. Charles County from Pike County. It reminded me of the sliver of pink on my father’s cheeks Grandpa pointed out while he and I visited Dad last evening. My 97-year old grandfather had not been able to make the 1-hour trip to see his son for 7 weeks due to the summer heat wave and car engine malfunctions. We made this trip possible especially this week. Hospice care seems to think this may be my father’s last week. The two, father and son greeted each other with gladness in their hearts and faces. Something I will never forget.
It seems wrong for a father to say “goodbye” to his son, no matter how old you are.
Their last words “You take care, son.” “See you later, Pops!”
Good bye is not forever … Thank You, Jesus for eternal life!
Aug6
Porch Meals and Hearts Mesh
The rains came twice over the weekend! It was like a miracle! And with it came cooler air, more like normal summer temps, low 90’s. We loaded our plants into the van in the wee hours Saturday morning, to make it to the Lake Saint Louis Farmer’s Market. It was storming, but I kept at it in my rain poncho and Dean with his hat. Our plants seemed happier, as well as their gardeners! Later, I trimmed sun-scorched branches from some ferns, and moved them to more shade under the dogwood tree. Sunday we repotted plants. Our tropicals are gigantic, growing as long as they have water in their roots. They thrive in this humidity. Dean & I met at the front porch on several occasions this weekend. We watched the storms come in and shared porch meals. The green ambiance allows conversation to flow. The electronic devices in the house don’t have that skill! Our hearts mesh when surrounded with nature. Whether camping, walking in the woods, and sitting on our porch bench with lovely greenery and birdhouses surround, life is simpler with plants and birds. At least, most of the time! 
Jun8
Friends Forever
I dedicate this post to my Aunt Shirley & Uncle Lee, childhood sweethearts and best friends for life. They were married 50 years ago in May. The 1st photo displays the fun loving couple I will always remember in my heart, and their friends and family. Included are my father (to the left of the bride) and my mother (to the right of the groom). The 2nd photo is at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration with their children and grandchildren. We lost dear Aunt Shirley on June 6 after many months of battling lung cancer, she died from a seizure. I love you, Aunt Shirley and Uncle Lee. 
Jun5
The Ambiance and Menu
The ambiance and local menu tonight was colorful. My huge kitchen is decorated with vases of our cut flowers and the fireplace mantle is overcome by beautiful blue hydrangeas from my parents’ yard. Dean & I’s dinner plates were filled with roasted spring root veggies and beef farm fresh by friends who allow their cattle to graze in their farm’s natural pastureland. I sit on my patio listening to the evening chatter of the birds and crickets until the summer night sky is dotted with fire flies. I needed some beauty in my life today.
My feline companions bat at the moth and June bug on the patio screen hoping to get a hold of them. Celine and Lily will need to stay inside as the neighborhood Great Horned owl visits our tall backyard maple tree some evenings. This may be one of those evenings. We protect our animals from harm with barriers like screen doors. Maybe similar to how our God sets up boundaries for us. I take in the beauty of our green friends, the plants we care for everyday. Tonight I will not water or trim or plant. I will sit and enjoy the greenery. They endured the sudden hail storm yesterday. Our elephant ear , banana trees, and birds of paradise have ripped leaves now. These plants will come through after some shedding. Is not life like that? We get hammered by hard blows, unwarrantly and needlessly. Yet, we rise again to be ourselves, probably better people for it if we allow. Thank you God for the beauty my eyes behold tonight, and the reminder that the heart heals.
Apr9
A Love Affair
The first electronic introduction … that first date … the fireworks shooting with the first kiss … discovering antiques, books, photos, music, food, church, and children together … long distance testing of the relationship … the “what-ifs” if we marry … sharing hearts … love … the proposal … wedding plans developed …wedding vows shared … marriage for our lifetime … sharing a home … sharing our families and friends … making life together … ebbs and flows like a lake shoreline … likes and dislikes … all a part of the journey. So happy I am on this journey with my husband, Dean Gall.
Apr2
Sea Shells
My stepson visited the South Padre Islands during his spring break. He shared this lovely photo. These sea shells have so many different designs, arranged in the sand based on species, time, water, sun, the whole life system. Below is a poem sparked by the photo …
Our lives are like sea shells in the sand.
Arranged on a palette, seemingly haphazardly.
A beautiful seascape with the ocean, sun, wind,
and sparkling sands highlighting.
Small, significant, striped, or speckled shells.
Ridged, in the rough, raw, reckless, and ruffled.
Omnipresent, opaque, oval, and an oyster’s home.
Is your life smooth sailing right now?
Or does it feel hollow echoing sounds,
reminders of voices from the past?
Storms interrupting life?
There is a Pearl awaiting discovery.
Mar22
Mocha Love
This spring morning was crisp, you know a hot cup of coffee, mocha, or tea morning! We had not had one of those mornings for a few days as we have been experiencing early summer weather instead of early spring weather. Not that I am complaining! Someone on FB captured an unusal shape in their cup of mocha this morning. “Mocha Love ” I call it … Gratitude and love filled my first thoughts this morning. I am so thankful for a loving husband and family. I spent last evening with my elderly grandfather. He lay on the hospital bed after having his middle right toe removed that morning due to a chronic infection as well as a stint put in his leg to aid with circulation. Yet he talked and laughed hour after hour of childhood memories, my father’s and uncle’s childhood stories, and the present day events. I have missed out on so much, busy about my own life, parenthood, grandparenthood, working, and now the greenhouse adventures. Yet I left late in the evening from the hospital with such a warm heart … “Mocha love”, I call it. It carried to my morning and throughout this day.
Mar12
Contrasting Weather
I watch the weather like a farmer. I grew up with this ritual, and continue. Spring seems to bring the storm fronts, but its started early this year. Above normal warm one day, and then comes that front bringing clouds and rain followed by cooler air. This cycle continues. St. Louis’ record high for today is 84 degrees set in 1990, and record low is 1 degree in 1948. The norms are 54 and 35, yet today we are currently at a sunny, clear sky 71 degrees. It is gorgeous! I took a stroll around the block during my lunch break. The crab apple and bradford pear blossoms are busting out today! A walk to the indoor pool after work will be refreshing, though still too cool for an outdoor pool! The next front is due in on Wednesday. This contrasting weather creates a beautiful palette for us to behold. Clouds, storms, rains, sunshine, and rainbows … Is not this a picture of life?
Deanna Greens and Garden Art 