The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is close to home for me. After having moved from The Prairie to Houston, I went to work in the oil business right out of High School. Ron, a Geologist, explored for oil and gas most of his career. We met in the oil business and it's been good to us. But "good" isn't always the case when it comes to oil ... a spill is tragic for Man and so many wonderful Creatures. Last night's sunset wouldn't let me stop thinking about it.
Check out what's been captured this week in skies around the Earth at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com. And do something every day to take care of your piece of it.
Things around here seem to always have a nice sense of order ... but even more so today. I'm betting that's the case in other worldly places. http://www.skyley.blogspot.com
I get more hits on this Blog for growing sunflowers than anything else. People come here from all over the World to find out how. So this is for you, World. I'm happy to give back to my Planet. You rock. And you do so many nice things for me.
I started growing Sunflowers from seed as soon as I moved back to The Prairie. I'm used to seeing fields of Sunflowers here. And I'm hooked. They have an amazing cycle which is lengthy. And you get to give them over to the Birds !
Last year I grew the huge bright yellow Sunflowers that were very tall. I put them in my fancy Houston/West University black ceramic pots that used to line my driveway. They looked even finer lining my not so fancy Farm Garage.
This year I'm growing Old's brand Autumn Beauty Sunflower Seeds. The package says they have a branching plant habit ... I like that idea. I'm big on overkill. I can get away with that here on The Prairie. The package also says they are stunning ... no doubt, if I have anything to do with it. I'm going to give you all of my secrets and track mine for you as they grow. You can track yours for me too.On a clear glass salad size plate, I folded a couple of white paper towels, and sprinkled the seeds onto it and spread them out. Then I gently poured water over them from my container that holds water that has been out of the faucet for a day or so. Fragile seeds need tender loving water. I put another sheet of paper towel over the seeds and poured a bit more water over them. They should be pretty wet, close to dripping, and they should never dry out.I started this batch last night and they sat in the bright sunlight all day today. They are already opening. You can see the little white tails. I think these will be ready to go in the ground or a pot by Friday. Last year's seeds were larger than the salted seeds that we eat. They took about a week. xoxo.
When you live on The Prairie again, after many years in a Big City, you learn how to go with the flow. That flow being Seasonal. And you don't control the flow ... the flow controls you.
So when you look at one of your trees on a Monday, the first day in your flower Garden, and you notice the tree is bare, you can appreciate what it must be experiencing on the inside as it prepares to explode. That's A Cool Feeling. You can go on with your project then. You can look down.
And on Friday, you're still out there. You are weeding, so you are still looking down. You decide you need to sit Yoga style. You close your eyes, you put your shoulders back, you lift your chin, you straighten your spine and you listen. And when you feel you are ready to open your eyes and see what you hear, it's this. It's the Tree. It has happened. And you didn't miss it. It becomes your story ... your Sideways Story.
Just three years ago in Houston/West University my backyard view included a two story house on each of the three sides of our 8' fence. Now I'm in Heaven and this is tonight's view. Heaven is everywhere at http://www.skyley.blogspot.com
and I am alive.
It's much easier in the Fall ... so it helps to have The Sugar Wolf in your pile.
I take this day seriously. I make it a point not to have a lot going on. I focus on the meaning of the day. I try not to complicate it.
Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins ... so we can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Think about it. It's what I believe.
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is close to home for me. After having moved from The Prairie to Houston, I went to work in the oil business right out of High School. Ron, a Geologist, explored for oil and gas most of his career. We met in the oil business and it's been good to us. But "good" isn't always the case when it comes to oil ... a spill is tragic for Man and so many wonderful Creatures. Last night's sunset wouldn't let me stop thinking about it. 
