When The Pretty is Gone

My kids asked me once, "Why do you still water even when the pretty is gone?"  I was doing some fall watering on my perennials, shrubs and trees and they were confused.  

"I want strong roots that will be ready to push up growth and make beautiful flowers in the spring.  Just because the pretty is gone doesn't mean that the plant is dead."  They shook their heads like I was nuts and kept playing.

In this time of drought, our plants are focusing on survival instead of reproduction.  They have been stressed, fatigued and beat up with this dry summer.  If it continues...it will be really hard on them.

I look at myself.  Having the flu and being restrained to my house has given me thinking time.  I feel like this in my life.  

The pretty is gone.

The energy bursting person is tired.

The fatigue, stress and load has limited my production...And I tend to get in survival mode.

I don't want to be still.

And yet...

 

The roots are still alive.

Now is the time to water and feed.  

To nurture.

To protect.

Spring will come again bursting with its life and energy.

When the pretty is gone is the time to focus on the roots.