Signs of Spring

I don't think I've ever anticipated spring as much as I have this year. I've been soooooo ready.

Here are a few things that are bringing much daily joy:

We started our first garden last year from small plants from Home Depot. This year, I'm trying to grow them from seeds! I love coming home every day and checking their progress. Several of them have tiny, tiny green shoots popping up through the dirt. Amazing that life comes from something that starts so small. I realize that humans are the most mind-blowing example of this, but I can't track a baby's early progress like I can my little seeds, so I'll continue to marvel at their growth!

Here are the seed beds. I realize that we don't have room in our garden should all 98 seed beds actually produce something. I also realize that I got a little carried away.....looks like I'll be offering some to neighbors....

Some of the produce that we're growing: romaine lettuce (so far they're the first to sprout), peppers, okra, watermelon, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, three types of tomatoes, and sunflowers.

These sticks were too tall for the covers over the beds.....

Also trying herbs: sage, thyme, rosemary, basil, and lavender....

We planted bulbs last summer and these daffodils were the first sign of spring...THRILLED me to see them start poking through. Daffodils make me happy.

And finally, our tulips are also trying to push through the pansies.....have no idea what color they'll be. I'll keep you posted....

Hope you're enjoying spring, friends!!

Water Walk

The average African walks 5 miles a day to collect water.

On World Water Day (last Monday), Nashvillians had the chance to walk in the shoes of our African brothers and sisters (in a very small way). Organized by the group Blood:Water Mission, we walked a mile carrying buckets of Cumberland River water, as many of them do every day, several times a day. We walked in reflective silence as we carried the water. Time to think about kids carrying these heavy buckets, being careful not to spill a drop. Time to feel the weight of the bucket increase over distance. Time to feel cramping begin in my fingers, then wrists, then shoulders, then knees. Time to think about the many uses of water I take for granted. Time to look into the bucket and see how dirty it was and to know this is the quality of water that many people use for bathing, cooking, drinking. Time to consider the value of one dollar....

Friends by the river, before the walk began:

Filling our buckets:

Eric and I are passionate about Africa, Africans, and this group's work.

Check it out: http://www.bloodwatermission.com.