Just Bring Yourself

This afternoon, another Swallowtail butterfly flew by the window. Seeing it made me think I should see what pollinators are hanging out in the gardens today. Each one has its own preferred blooms. Bumble bees are crazy about Fragrant Hyssop flowers. They are one of 5 native plants that I introduced to the gardens a few years ago.

I am guessing that the 3 Swallowtail butterflies that I saw last week grew up on the dill that has seeded itself in the vegetable and perennial gardens. More dill, more Swallowtails.

We are in the midst of a drought coupled with wildfire smoke. Poor growing conditions. This evening, I watered the vegetable garden for 3/4 hour. I hand-watered some transplanted flowers in other gardens, but the main perennial garden is showing signs of stress due to lack of moisture. I don't feel comfortable watering that garden. It will need to survive on its own.

Cherry tomatoes are starting to ripen nicely.

Borage flowers stand out strikingly in the surrounding greens and reds. They are a fun addition to summer salads.

The Healthkick salad mixture is very happy inside the greenhouse. They were planted around 16 days ago and another flat was planted a few days ago. Fall harvesting will only happen if summer plantings work out in a timely manner.

And, to end our tour today, here's another bumble bee and its flower friend. They seem to love each other.

Yesterday, I got to hug a half dozen friends and catch up with them. Sometimes I feel like good friendships are like pollinators and their host plants. They need each other and are designed to support and sustain each other. Their whole selves are welcome there.

When I invite you over, you always ask “what should I bring?”

And I always say “just bring yourself.”

But what I really mean is...

Bring your woes and your worries.

Let us talk them out if you want to.

Bring your sadness and your sorrows and

let me hold you whilst you cry,

if you need to.

Bring your heaviness and heartache and

let me lighten your load a little if I’m able to.

Bring your achievements and accomplishments and

let me celebrate your successes with you.

Bring your happiness and hope and

let me share your joy and listen to your dreams.

Bring your flaws and your failures and

let me accept you regardless.

Yes, when I say “just bring yourself,” what I really mean

is that I want you to feel so comfortably yourself with me that you can bring your smiles and frowns, laughter and tears, joy and grief, highs and lows.

So just bring yourself;

your whole self.

And be yourself.

Because your whole self is welcome here.

Becky Hemsley 2024