A CUP OF COMPOST

"In the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, when no plant of the field was yet in the earth and no herb of the field had yet sprung up-- and the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east..." (Genesis 2:1-8).

Today I travelled to the local garden centre in Scarborough (the east!) to buy my balcony plants for this year. I was a bit more restrained with my purchases than last year (and grateful for that on the bus ride home!).  

There are some big things I am discerning at the moment.  It was hard to do, but I forced myself to take a break and go to the Garden Centre this morning.  I'm so glad I did. 

Once home, I set my box of flowers down on the balcony and went to check my compost.  I use a kitty litter pail (the kind with a handle and big green lid).  Everything!-- all the veggie and fruit scraps had tuned to soil over the winter and spring.  God and nature's timing is perfect.  The soil felt moist and rich and wonderful to touch.  It smelled so good!!!

Found my flowers quickly so decided I would buy two herb plantings too.  I chose dill for making summer salad dressings.  But I couldn't find my other favourite herb which is oregano-- for making spaghetti sauce, ravioli, and bruschetta. 

That's when things got interesting.  A "flirty" and endearing little old Italian garden centre man rushed to help me.  I was happy to discover my own "flirting" skills stilled worked well enough for him to make it his mission to find my oregano for me.  

When he found it (and it took quite awhile!) I think he was happier than I was. It was then I noticed and pointed to the crucifix around his neck.  He smiled a big beautiful smile.  I showed him my miraculous medal.  We were both smiling!  I felt like we were characters in the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun".  If you haven't seen the movie yet then maybe it is "something to look forward to" (thank you sister!).

All this is to say it was a lovely encounter at the garden centre and so good to be out-and-about in Covid lock down.

I must have shouted out loud?  Because my neighbour, Yamona, suddenly said through our balcony partition, "Is that you Carolyn?"  I said, "yes" as I explained what I was so excited about.

Then I offered her (not a cup of sugar but) a cup of compost!  

If you are struggling in anyway maybe you could try something an old nun once told me (and it really works)-- "do something for somebody else."  

Overflow with life, spring, and love of neighbour.

Amen.

Cb


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