VICTORY GARDENERS

This is a commercial interruption to say a word about my small but mighty "Victory Gardeners." Meet Mrs. Gracelyn Miller, Beaumont socialite, friend and now tomato gardener. We had a great lunch together last week and I got a chance to see her beautiful doll house. It's the kind of house you got your doll as a child but secretly wanted to live in it yourself. Well Gracelyn lives in hers along with her husband Russel (Crowe) Miller. Yeagh he's that hot! Lucky Gracelyn has the house, the man and now the tomatoes.

This isn't to be taken lightly. I have named myself the "black thumb" of death. I have killed so many tomato plants, any day I expect to see my picture hanging in the Post Office. Worst part is I have not one tomato to show for all my killings. The Topsy Turvey whose bush was sticking straight up to high heaven is now pointing downwards. Woe is me. I have shamed my name and reputation.

However, Jessica Ferguson and Mz. Angie & Audie & Sandra Rameriz have a bumper crop. So have Mr. Tingan. Actually I'm the only one that have not gotten one tomatoe. Thanks to the John Roberts family for bringing me tomatoes and cucumbers. More pictures and success stories later. Happy Gardening!

MARY MOTHER of MILLIONS

Have you ever asked a friend to be a go between, in letting a special person know that you were interested in them? We parents often ask our adult friends to intercede in speaking with a child, to help drive a point home. Many instances throughout life we have relied on others with clout, experience or knowledge to intervene in matters we could not speak directly to a person about.

Is it too far fetched to believe that in the world of deities that we too can pray to a spiritual existence (saint) to put in a word with the Master on our behalf? There is no closer bond than that of a mother and child. So it is with Mary and her son Jesus. The first miracle Jesus performed was at the request of His mother. (John 2:1-11). He turned water into wine at the wedding at Cana.

Of course we can turn to Jesus ourselves as Mary did in this situation. Mary however is special. She is the mother of Jesus and what son could deny His mother anything; Secondly, Mary is the first and most perfect disciple because she always said yes to God. Mary was obedient to God and always did His will, no questions asked. Who better to have God's ear or Jesus heart.

When Jesus hung on the cross, He told his disciple, "Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27). It is believed that Jesus at that moment commissioned Mary to be not only the mother of His Church but to serve as our caregiver, our mother. It is part of God's perfect plan that we not only help one another by our prayers and good deeds but that we have an ally in Mary to assist us. Mary intercedes for us with Christ, the same way she interceded for the couple at the wedding in Cana.

Next......how do I pray for intercession to Mary? Do I have to be Catholic? How do I show thanksgiving to Mary after prayers have been answered?

READY SET GO!!!

Lets get those tomatoes out. Make it a fun family project. If you've got kids get an extra just for them. Don't forget the men. Make it competitive and they're on board. It is so many lessons you can gleam from this project. "The family that farms together stays together," is one of our mottos. Mainly because you are too tired to go anywhere else. LOL Take the extra tomatoes and let the kids sell them. Keep the money in a jar and see how excited they are when the money began to grow. Sell them as a family and then decide on a "splurge" at the end of the summer. Granted you won't be able to do more than dinner or a movie but spending that garden earned money will have a different meaning. Earned tax free money, now there is a concept. You can also make some tomato baskets and gift them to an elderly relative or friend. Now that's a lesson in compassion. Later, I will post some tomato recipes and how to "can" your tomatoes. These also make great gifts or products to sell? Please spread my tomato blogs to as many friends, relatives, co-workers as possible and lets start a revolution in honor of our First Lady, our families, and our enviroment. Once your tomatoes are up email me pictures to divamomone@yahoo.com and I'll post them along with your thoughts like a journal. Also email me your names so I can add you to our "Victory Garden" farmers list.

Victory Garden

Who's hungry? Well prove it. Lets get started on our gardens. That's right if Michelle can do it on the White House lawn so can we. You should have your ground turned over, fertilized and ready. The Easter cold snap is the first of this week so within the next ten days you should have some seeds in the ground. Read the directions on the back of packet. Make sure you have the seeds spaced out right. Now for those that thought you didn't have room for a garden I have purchased two items that I am trying here at my house & will keep you up on the progress.
Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter I purchased it at Walgreens $9.99. Grows juicy tomatoes all Season Long according to instructions. Hangs on deck, patio, or balcony. Eliminates weeding, caging and staking. Organic too! (1). Put the plant in the bottom (2). Put soil in the bag (3). And water in the top.
Hanging Basket Grow Kit I purchased at Dollar General $8.50. It comes with hanging basket, moss, tomato seed packet, potting soil. Basically you add 5 cups of water to the moss (which will line the basket) Add 2 cups of water to the soil. Puncture empty bag and place on top of moss then cover with the moist soil. Spread half of the seeds then cover with i cup of soil. Use remainder of seeds in another container or in the ground.
Garden Shepherd Hook I purchased at Dollar General $8. I am going to hang each Planter from my Hooks. Did I mention my husband will kill me when he sees these items in our yard? Let me know how and what you are doing in your gardens so I can share it with the others. This is how we learn and have fun. Feel free to run out and purchase any of these items. Two Hanging baskets and two Shepherd hooks = about $35.00. Having fresh organic tomatoes all summer...PRICELESS! What's in your garden?

Happy Validate Day

It's wonderful to have someone to share Valentine's with but it is healing to spend that time selfishly indulging yourself. As a shift worker's wife I may or may not have a Valentine's date but I learned a very long time ago you should never rely on someone else to validate YOU! I often joke that if anything happens to my husband I would be very content to "date myself." I really enjoy my own company and I invite you to do the same, enjoy your "self."It doesn't take an occasion like Valentine's or the company of another for me to bring out my favorite Egyptian cotton sheets. I lavish in my jacuzzi tub listening to the new CD by Seal that have all the "Soul" ballads that transport me back to a youthful, wistful time. I light a candle bedside and take a few minutes to praise God for not just my blessings but my sufferings as well. Then I might sip a little wine or hot tea. I put the sleep timer on as I snuggle deeply into my pillow to watch my all time favorite movie "Bridges of Madison County." Ahhhhh heaven. Hey! It's not too late. Where Valentine's is just one day a year Validate Day is 365 days a year just pick a day.

THE SECRET

My theme for this past holiday season was to be a blessing to someone. I had no expectations. I announced early I wouldn't be exchanging gifts this year. I failed to say it would be a one way street. I would give but didn't want to be a recipient. Well guess what? One by one neighbors and friends came bearing gifts to me. I thought once you told someone they were not getting anything from you well....I didn't expect that kind of blessing coming back to me. Since the new year started I have received several surprise windfalls ranging from $500 to a couple of thousand dollars. It is the secret my grandmother told me about when I was a little girl. "The more you give, the more will be given back," she would not only say it but she lived her life like that. I paid for a Philosophy class this semester with my windfall, and bought a pair of cashmere gloves. And so it starts again the cycle of giving. I got a call from the church, would I donate a sheet cake for our parish party? So now I am passing the secret on to you and I want you to keep passing it on. To be blessed you have to be a blessing to someone else. This is going to be a great year, I can feel it.

Blessings and Miracles

Many things in my life went horribly wrong and also miraculously right all in this past year. What I like most about Advent is the anticipation of someone and something new in my life. A fresh start renews my spirit so I can only look back at what was a year of blessings and break free of that which caused me pain. January found me in Scottsdale AZ. gawking at the Camelback mountains and the amazing architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. That inspiration led me to the daunting task of taking an Algebra/Trig class which I got an "A". I told you blessings and miracles this year..it is what it is. April, my husband and I received recognition for having an historical farm agriculturally productive now for 115 years. There came a morning in June that I couldn't, no would not get out of bed. I was held hostage by self pity and despair. My childhood friend, Gwen Scott sat at the edge of my bed and made me laugh so hard I had to get my day started. I had gone to Gwen's funeral a few weeks earlier. Her spirit comforts me and her love surrounds me still. Again, blessings and miracles. I have formed a relationship with a group of very talented writers and they feed my soul. Another childhood friend drove from Beaumont to Destin Fl. so we could enjoy an amazing sunset and watch the ocean together. God is good! My writing is taking off. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow. I have not one present under the tree this year (not even for my 20 yr. old). I divided my Christmas club money and sent it to people that needed it more than us. For I am blessed and I want to be a blessing to others. That is what I anticipate most about the New Year, I want to be a blessing to others.