Get A Grip!--What Are Your Squiggly Thingy's Holding On To?

I like to call them squiggly thingy's...but after careful research I found out that those little curly q's on my cucumbers plants are called "tendrils".  Whatever you want to call them...I am fascinated with their quirky personalities and determination to be at the top of the trellis.  I do realize that cucumber plants do not have souls...but even so...watching them has spoken to my soul.

Many of you have watched the progress of my garden and have seen my cucumber plants grow from seeds to what they are today.  The moment they begin to vine out they will start looking for something to grab onto and climb.  It's instinct...they know that in order to get anywhere that they have to grab on to something solid in order to reach for the sun.  I can tell you in my 53 years of life...I know that lesson all to well.  If I am not grounded and secured to a sure foundation...whatever "climb" I aspire to make will be short lived.  I can stack books and furniture on top of each other for a quick climb...but soon find out that it will topple. 

The climb needs to be slow and steady...just like my cucumber plant.  Water, sun and fertilizer are all necessary to bear fruit.  Without any of those elements...the vine will wither and die.  So, ask yourself these questions:

1. What foundation are you holding on to?  Is it sure?  Is it a foundation of integrity and truth? 
2. What or who is watering your life?  Are the people you associate with breathing life into you...or are they like the hot sun, charring what life is there? 

Finally...this past weekend I noticed something new with my cucumber plants...one of them had reached across the row and had joined tendrils with another plant.  A larger stronger plant, which had a firm grip on the trellis, had reached across the row to help stabilize the weaker plant.  Or, maybe it was the other way around.  Maybe the weaker plant had realized it needed the help of the stronger plant.  Regardless...if one of them hadn't had a firm grip on something stronger, neither plant would have made it. 

Do you have a good grip on your life?  What or Who are you holding onto? 

Having your own garden is just a small part of living the "rural lifestyle".  If you have been dreaming about one day having your own place in the country or a small town, I'd love to help you fulfill that dream.