Sharpen Your Trowel

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I am often inspired by Cindy Crosby's blog Tuesdays in the Tallgrass. This week her blog is entitled "A Bit of Prairie Hope." Discouraged by the events of the New Year, she goes to the characters of The Lord of the Rings for a bit of hope. Gandalf gives this advice: "Courage will now be the best defense against the storm that is at hand." He goes on to advise them to leave their trowels and sharpen their swords. 

Perhaps a better word at the present would be to leave our swords and sharpen our trowels. At least that's where I have begun to find my courage. When Frodo later confesses his lack of courage, Gildor Inglorian reminds him that "courage is found in unlikely places."


 This year has been one of extreme heat and drought, snow and freezes. The prairie and the plants have suffered. Our world and the people in it are suffering too. It gives me courage to see growing things. God's plan is still at work. Seeds die, are buried, germinate, resurrect with new life, produce fruits, are pleasing to the eye, are good to taste, and the cycle begins again. That gives me courage to go on.

We've opted for a winter garden this year. We covered it during the snow and freezes. We were just able to uncover it a couple of days ago, and most everything survived! We have all kinds of herbs, lettuces, radishes, spinach, beets, Swiss chard, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and carrots.







I also planted about 100 tomato seeds under the grow lights and now have two inch seedlings.

I encourage you to sharpen your trowel, and discover for yourself how courage is found in unlikely places. And if you live nearby, come and pick a head of lettuce. We have plenty to share.



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