A household has to be tended to flourish and grow. Housework is never ‘done’ in the same sense that gardening is never done or that God’s providential involvement in the world is never done.
Margaret Kim Peterson
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my aversion to cooking in, The Joy of Cooking or Not. This is a sequel to that post. My disinclination to cooking is followed by my lack of enthusiasm for gardening. I have never had the proverbial green thumb. I grew up in The Northwoods of Wisconsin where the growing season is over in the blink of an eye. That along with a lack of patience does not lend itself to a fiddly pastime such as gardening.
My friend Barb, https://inbarbsworld.com, on the other hand, is an accomplished gardener. She has a magical touch for transforming sad, forlorn plants into astounding examples of local flora. Consequently, I am eager to show her my one remarkable gardening achievement of this season. A couple of summers ago, I had discovered the success of using Begonias on my shaded porch. This year, I decided to combine them with Coleus. While it was more a stroke of luck in finding the right plants for the location than a true green thumb, I still take pride in any accomplishments I can make.
I don’t want you to think that I’m a total failure in representing the women of my generation. I genuinely enjoy and believe I excel at housework, which is often overlooked but crucial for maintaining a happy home environment. While cooking and gardening may receive more attention, I believe that housework is a valuable skill that deserves recognition. I find satisfaction in tasks like polishing furniture and tidying up drawers, transforming messy areas into organized spaces. I believe that maintaining a clean and organized home contributes to my overall happiness and productivity. I feel compelled to advocate for this often-undervalued skill. I don’t like to cook and I’m not good at gardening. It appears my skills lie in polishing and straightening. There you have it.
Peace be with you.
Aging with Grace 
10 responses to “Gardening and Housekeeping”
Your plant is beautiful.
I agree that cleanliness and order do bring many pleasant feelings into our lives.
You have every reason to be proud of that, too. Being an excellent role model can be added to your sense of pride.
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My dear friend, thank you for your kind comments. Is there a patron Saint of order and cleanliness? I wonder. 😊
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I will look it up and let you know if there is a Patron Saint of Cleanliness and Order..
if not, I will nominate you for Beatification and the Higher Ups will take it from there.
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Thank you for the email informing me about Saint Ziti. The Patron Saint of Cleanliness and Order. That takes some pressure off. I don’t feel ready for sainthood. ❤️
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I imagine you being wonderful at organizing and keeping the home running smoothly. I love your Begonias and mixing them with the Coleus is such a lovely contrast! As long as we have that one pot that brings us joy, we’re fulfilled. Thank you for your sweet words, my lovely. Most all of my plants are ongoing experiments that offer a diploma in patience. 🧡
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It’s that patience thing that I get a failing grade at. I have tried talking to my plants, but they don’t seem to listen. Since I am having a love affair with Coleus this season, I put a large pot on the terrace. I have tried to accommodate their preference for shade by putting up the umbrella when the sun is bright. It’s a work in progress. ❤️
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Hahahaha…the patience thing is a work in progress for us both. The Coleus appreciates that umbrella! They enjoy morning sun, but that’s about it and they multiply and will spread in the pot, so you’ll have even more next year! 🙏🏻
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⭐️❤️
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💚👌
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❤️
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