Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Give life everything you've got!


We went to French's orchard last week to pick peaches to freeze. I love this time of year! Fresh peaches, apples, corn on the cob, watermelon.... It just doesn't get any better when it comes to fresh produce. I love a tree-ripened peach. Wash it well, and dig in. Don't forget a napkin!

As we were pulling in to pick, I saw this little twig of an apple tree among the other full grown trees. It was right on th edge of the rest of the orchard, stretching upward with all its might. It reminded me of a little toddler trying to be accepted by the older kids in the family and saying "I can, too!" As I looked at this little tree in passing, I realized it had an apple on it. I stopped to take a better look, and there were two full size apples on it, and one on the ground under it that had fallen off! I had to admire that tree. It put all of it's energy into growing those apples, even though it had very little to give to begin with. It would have been acceptable for that little tree to go a few years with little or no fruit. Nobody would have cared. After all, it was so small. But that little tree didn't let its size or any other obstacle get in its way. Go little tree! Go!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Oh, to be young again


I was at the club with Shelli playing tennis yesterday, and there were 3 older men waiting for their 4th to show up for doubles. They watched us for about 20 minutes, then when they were in the breezeway between courts heading out to play, one of them said "Oh to be as young as them again" as he watched us play. It was louder than he intended, so I heard it clearly. It made me think to be grateful for my youth, my energy, and to be at this stage in life. It also made me look forward to about 50 more years of tennis and life! I hope to still be playing at his age!