Grapes
Our family has always worked together to bring in the fruits and vegetables. I remember doing this as a young child at my grandma’s house. Back then, it was either corn or purple hull peas. Our treat at the end of the work session was cold, homegrown, ripe watermelon. Grandpa and Grandma always had a big garden–that’s how they put much of their food on the table–and any family who lived nearby came to help. Family helping family has always been one of our priorities. Yet we don’t think of it as a priority, even though we make it one. It’s just something we do, like other families who attend football games together.
Our children have grown up with this tradition of helping as well. When we had an apple tree, all of the kids helped with the apple harvest; they helped make applesauce, apple pie filling, and apple jelly. Last week we worked on the grape harvest at my father-in-law’s. It was hard work, but many hands made light work. It was incredibly hot at 102–August in Oklahoma is always pretty hot–but the grapes were good.
After lunch, we loaded up and headed home for more work in the air conditioning. We juiced the grapes and placed the juice in the freezer, where it is now waiting until we are ready to make jam. It’s going to be so good!
Crocheting
Crocheting (another one of my priorities, of course!) has been fun the past week as I have finished up an afghan and also several fingerless gloves. The pattern writing was hit or miss, but thankfully more hit than miss. These particular designs are fun, quick and easy, which will make them perfect for the Fall. Watch for their release in a week or two.
Priorities
The end of summer has come all at once in a rush, and BOOM! school is starting soon. The get-ready-to-start-school meetings have begun, and they keep me out at night, which means less time at home to crochet. Yesterday I spent time mapping out our weeks, trying to make sure that the necessary and important times are listed first. Â Rather like the jar of rocks story. Have you heard that story? It goes something like this …
The teacher stands in front of the class. He has in front of him a pile sand, Â a pile of pebbles and a pile of larger rocks next to a jar. He fills the jar with rocks until it is full. Â Then he turns and asks the class is the jar full. They all nod yes, the jar is full.Â
Then he adds the pebbles, and they slide in around the rocks until no more pebbles fit in the jar. He asks the class is the jar full. Yes, they all nod.
He then takes the sand and it slides in around the rocks and the pebbles completely filling the jar. Is the jar full he asks his class? Yes, they all say.
They are surprised to see him pick up a bottle of water; he then pours the water in the jar over the rocks, sand and pebbles. Now the jar is full he says.
The rocks represent things that have real value; the people in your life, Â and your health. The irreplaceable things; we must make sure to make time for them.
The pebbles represent things like your job, house, car, etc…
The sand represents small stuff–laundry, dishes, returning the library books, errands–things that will always be there.
The water represents the spirit or attitude that we have when are doing everything else. It will color our lives and make or break relationships and jobs. It will touch every grain of sand, pebble and rock in that jar, just as being happy or grumpy can affect everyone we meet.
This story is in my mind as I go about writing a schedule for our school and work. Rocks first, then the pebbles and finally the sand. All encompassed in a spirit of prayer.
Talk to you later,
Karen
PS: How do you get ready for school? Leave a comment and share your planning tips with me!