Lessons in the Garden

Last night we watched the 1979 movie "Being There" with Peter Sellers.  Here is a short clip where Seller's character, Chance, is talking about seasons in the garden while the President thinks he's speaking metaphorically:  Seasons

Gardens are a wealth of symbolism.  In 1822 a Quaker named John Wilbur made a case for the Quaker plainness:  "It is the good soil of the garden, well cultivated that bringeth forth the fruit, but it is the fenced wall of God's providence round about that keepeth it from being devoured by the creatures without."  He considered the "rising generation" to be as tender plants that needed protecting from the corruptions and vanities of the world.  He felt by being set apart by "peculiarities in language, manners, and appearance" they'd be less likely to "mix familiarly with others."   


These were the tulips in my front yard:

I say "were" because this is how they look after the deer got to them:

A fence would have protected them.


Here are some more pictures of my front yard garden I took today.  The plants in this first picture are on the outside of that fence so have no protection:

Lupines and pineapple mint are re-emerging as well as a host of other little plants.

All these plants died back to the ground last Fall but survived the winter cold by staying underground until it was warm enough to emerge above ground again:

Peonies, Spirea, False Asters and Coreopsis

These plants are deer food, too, but they tend not to come right up to the house:

And the Azaleas have started to bloom along with the Japaconia!

So far these plants have been spared by the deer, but I'm not going to take a chance.  We've found a way to inexpensively fence in the front yard which will also have the added benefit of giving Gabriel, our dog, a larger area in which to safely roam.  It'll keep the deer out and the dog in!


Father, You are still teaching us lessons in the garden.  We did not heed them in the first Garden.  Thank you for giving us another chance.


Link to:  In the Garden

Link to scripture:  Matthew 11:29


Take action: Give to a Garden, Nature Center, or Park in your area