I held a blink for too long.
Spiraled away.
Stepped out of the garden for merely a few days.
But it called me, it beckoned me, it said…
Vanessa come back, we have something for you.
The air had turned from thick blocks of heat, to warm moist waves.
I hadn't noticed.
The leaves had shifted, the gifts left to be collected.
Big green leaves looked sun parched, with glints of golden yellow.
A change was on the horizon.
A place that was tidy with new beginnings, was now shifting.
Autumn on the horizon, barely visible in the distance, but there.
Where something ends, something begins, they say.
The vegetable garden, now a late summer jungle, began to change.
Pumpkins, so many pumpkins, turned from green to orange.
With even more to come.
The garden at its peak.
Right at the top, with a fresh wave of tomatoes, and tallest of basil.
Leeks and green onions danced around the baby globes…
Cherry tomatoes, sweet and warm…
Gifting.
The tomato vines, the scent…
Filled with memories of checking my dad's trucks of tomatoes (produce broker).
What a scent those vines hold.
Healing you before you need healing.
Healing you in ways you didn't know you could be healed.
Basil smashed between finger tips.
Deep breath.
Quiet, crunching paws on pumpkin leaves.
Perception changed, maybe forever.
Of this fleeting life.
This fragile life.
This beautiful life.
Gazebo gets blown off tall stand, as vines bust through their homes.
Where are they headed?
No one knows.
Peek around giant pumpkin leaves, and there you see them.
Childhood favorites.
Orange globes.
Keeping you young forever, no matter what the years say.
No matter what the dish of the day.
No matter how good or bad things sway.
It's just part of everyday.
No worse or better.
It is as it is.
Sometimes you simply have no say.
Acceptance, faith, falling into the arms of what you believe…
The lesson of the day.
The only way to stay sane.
The only way to…
Keep breathing.
And enjoying.
And living.
And hoping.
And wishing.
Resistance creates pressure.
But what if?
What if you just trusted?
Instead of resisted?
What if?
Pumpkins grow on sagging domes…
Some ready.
Some waiting.
Waiting for Autumn to look clearer in the distance.
A beautiful smile, red hair, pulling a wagon…
A wagon filled with treats from the apple orchard, pumpkins from the fields, a long brown coat, with leaves of all colors swirling around, gold and crimson and tangerine abound.
Thank you more than you can know.
Emotional support, it's more healing than anything I have ever known.
Intertwine it with hope and faith and plunging.
And somewhere in that, you have a whole new outlook.
The trick?
Hang on tight.
Somehow.
Love, Vanessa
So many pumpkins! *sigh*…..
Dearest Vanessa:
Yes. Trusting. Trusting instead of resisting. Sometimes it is difficult, but if you can trust and keep faith, the days of worry will somehow be easier.
Walk with the fur babies. Count the pumpkins and look forward to the cool breezes of Autumn. Bright confetti colors are coming soon….just as the brighter days are ahead for you.
You are an inspiration and you hold a strength inside of you that leaves me in awe.
Thank you for sharing here on your blog. No details are ever necessary. Just know that you are loved and prayed for and thought about everyday.
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Love this post and so good to see you in the garden, trusting, breathing, ENJOYING but most of all keeping your FAITH STRONG!!!
This post is the most beautiful you’ve ever written. I do think you need to surround yourself with what you love. It seems to have a healing effect on you.
I wish you peace of mind, dear friend.
The garden is on the verge, full of an autumn splendor bumper crop of love. It seems that in Arizona, monsoon summer and autumn play a sort of tug of war this time of year… a few days this way… a few days that way. Its all good when living in the present, purposely seeing the beauty available to the eye that sees.
Prayers continue to ascend.
Always, Queenie
Dear Vanessa…..You have certainly figured this out sweet lady…..”Acceptance” holds the key to the universe. When we don’t know what is ahead we just have faith and keep on keeping on.
xoxo
Jo
BTW: Wish I WAS A LITTLE BUNNY IN YOUR GARDEN PATCH! LOL LOL LOL
Beautiful, beautiful pumpkins! Oh, how I love autumn in upstate NY! I wish I could send you a truckload of all the colored leaves
That are on their way to changing! It’s a magical place in the Fall !
Dear V,
Acceptance is key and you helped me realize that today. I think I may finally have made a decision and you have helped. Thank you for being you and for all the beauty and joy you bring to us.
love & blessings
~*~
You are amazing! Beautiful words, wonderful pictures!
Lots of love and hugs and healing goodness sent your way….on waves of verdant garden energy. Whatever you face,
you will do it with grace….and many will be there to lift you up as you go! For you, who gives so much beauty to the world….much love will come back to you in return!
Love to ya Ms. V. All kinds of support coming from my way 😉 Miss ya tons!! Love the pumpkins and those pups too.
Hugs,
Jamie 🙂
*****Love You!!!*****
Acceptance is the key. But be fearless! We are women and we are strong. you can face this with FEARLESS acceptance! Yes, walk with your fur babies. They are so loving and I know that they will help guide you on this journey. Loved your post, all of your wisdom. Hang in there girl!
Hang in there, Kindred! 🖤 Look into your crystal ball and see how much better it’s going to be in just a little while… thinking of you.
Dearest sparkle in the universe~
I’ve read your blog for years now and in the past few months I have felt something unbalanced so I have been praying that you will be okay’ weather on, be surrounded by love and lovers and be healed and made whole. I’ve never regretted trusting my ‘gut’…go with your heart felt feelings always, believe where they direct and trust God will work it all out.
You are not alone my dear, never alone 🙂 much love from this mamas heart â¤
Sending you lovelovelove and never ceasing prayers…you and my Brawny Man, held in the Arms of God. My Mister and I are living on Hallowed Ground now. Holding you in my heart.
**blows kisses**
Deb
“OH” thought the passing bee.
A flutter do I see.
It is our Madame Queen V.V.
Dancing amongst the trees, trees.
With stars from heaven a bloom,
In her garden of royal perfume.
“Oh, oh,oh”said the wee little gnome,
Who he himself was on his way home.
Our Madame Queen V.V. is back,
Then he clapped his hands smack,smack.
And there in the garden for her,
The faires and the 2 furs.
Had a surprise pumpkin party,
With tea, sweets, savory and salty
Stacked high.
Almost touching the sky.
And then the wind did sing,
Along with everything green.
And welcomed her back,
With food for her sacks.
And forever she shall B-
OUr Garden Loving Mother Queen V.V.
Thinking of you,
Pinksterita
Dear V, just LIKE Miss Scarlet, your Terra CALLS TO YOU….. AND YES, acceptance…. for TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY! Keep trusting and enjoying each Shift and all that is life itself, one that you so lovingly created. Thank you for sharing it with us! Keep Strong!!! <3
It maybe a bumpy ride but you are right, you have to hang on tight. Family is there and so are your friends, we will hang one with you. Love is what you have.
Beautiful vegetables, photos and you.
Hang on tight and know that seasons come and seasons go,
laughter is there just around the bend. Oh those pumpkins
make me smile, just as I can see you smiling and hugging them.
Tomatoes, oh delightful! Enjoy and savor each moment and soak
in the light of healing for it is there for you to embrace.
All is well ~ ~ ~ just get in your little boat, raise your oars and float downstream…..XoXo
I just read your news of the upcoming surgery. I have read your blog for years but never commented. Many of your posts strike such a chord with me…as if you are writing my thoughts. I could not just “read” this time. You need to know that there are people out here that think about you, worry with you over your fur babies, rejoice with you in the joys of just life itself that you write about in your posts. I’m sure there are many of us who think of you as a friend, yet you don’t even know we are caring and sharing your life through your words. I first stumbled on your blog when my only son went to college and I was having a difficult time with him leaving. Your zest for the simple things in life made me feel, well, just better so I kept coming back. Your words reaffirm to me that all life is good – even the tough parts because you are alive and experiencing it. I don’t write well so I suppose that is why I don’t comment. Please know that my thoughts will be with you as you go forward.
We took off for Los Angeles for two days, so I am now just getting back to reading your posts…as tears are streaming down my face with this ever so beautiful message of acceptance you so wisely penned.
I still have butterflies in my stomach for the small surgery I am to have this Friday, Sept. 6th. The ‘unknown’ has a way of doing that to a person. My trust and faith are ‘intact’ but I am still a crazy human being with silly emotions that come and go without even having to think about it.
Your garden is so divine. My daughter is expecting her second child, a girl, in January so they painting different rooms for that occasion. Her hubby loves the color orange…so they painted one wall in their office a dark pumpkin orange, which reminds me of your amazing pumpkins. The baby’s room is going to be a bright aqua/green for the Little Mermaid theme they are using for the baby’s room.
I am so thrilled for you that you had a good steady rain all day, how invigorating!
I will keep in touch as things progress with my surgery.
XOXO
Miss Teresa
Your pumpkin posts returning each year remind me that some things can be trusted and relied upon. Your perennials and your gardening, you being so brave. You give us all hope. Everything will be ok, this time will pass. You will return to you.
Beautiful post…Hoping as time passes, things will return to some semblance of normalcy..
Hi! I just found your blog! I justlove the pumpkins!