Just as I was entering the season of harvest I arrived to check on the garden and saw three of the Zucchini plants decimated and prostrate, yellow and brown and full of bugs. June bugs! Hundreds of them.
I didn’t get any good pictures of the bugs because when I saw what was going on I quickly began to pull the plants out of the soil and get them out of the garden. I was ill. Hundreds and hundreds of them were busy making their home there in my garden. Eating and mating and laying eggs to provide for their next generation. I remember why they are called June bugs now. The plants and the fruit was ruined. My intention and vision for that pace was taken over and used for another’s purpose. They did not ask or say thank you or even kiss my ass. They had their own purposes and set about to accomplish them. After I calmed down during the clearing of the mess I remembered seeing some small signs of them last week which i did not attend to. By not acting then I in effect gave my leave for them to do as they willed in my garden. With no deterrent from me I guess they felt they were entitled to whatever suited their needs. There are some people like that. Those who seem to just take what they want as though their needs, wants, whims, should be addressed simply because they are. The problem is that many times they intrude into others’ gardens to satisfy them. If they are not deterred there is a risk the garden will be ruined. I was raised in the Christian faith and from childhood was taught that I should be kind. I agree with that. The problem is that many times that sentiment is not correctly interpreted. It is taught as though the command is to “be yea nice.” But kindness and niceness are very different things. Nice always says “yes” even when a “no” is required. It can be sweet and gentle but it can also be weak and allow predators in with the sheep. Kindness is based on a true response to a given situation. Kindness seeks the yes but can if need respond with an unequivocal hell no. It was not the June bugs fault that they wanted my garden. It was beautiful and lush and rich. An ideal place for them to reproduce. It was my fault for allowing them to get a foothold and then not acting after they did. I saw a short video which may be instructive.
I am guessing the boy went home and perhaps rethought his life’s path. What ever was the result I am guessing he did not attempt to put down roots in the big boys garden anymore. I think there are times in a person’s life when god’s will for them is a swift ass whipping. I think that it is most likely the only hope for stupid. I am not promoting violence but force is the only thing a bully understands. It may just save their life later on. A skinned knee and a knot on the head won’t damage a boy, but being allowed to continue down a predatory path may just lose their soul. Even Jesus gave some folks a good country ass whipping with a whip he made himself. He was clear, decisive, and used appropriate force. I don’t think the money changers harbored any doubt about his intention and willingness in that matter.
Are there people in your life who have been allowed to bully, and take, and intimidate, and set up shop in your temple? God’s will for them and you is that they do not inhabit your garden. They need to cultivate their own. And it is incumbent upon us to tend and protect what was entrusted to us. No, or even hell no, is also kindness.
Lesson remembered. So I looked around and found that there was a Yellow Squash and one Zucchini that I doctored and trimmed and may yet salvage.
I planted a young Zucchini and two purple Russian Heirloom tomatoes in the empty space. The young Zucchini will probably last through the late summer into fall and the tomatoes are something I have never grown before. So, it’s all good. I planted watermelons in the large container and they should be pretty spilling down onto the hay in a month or so.
The cool thing about all of this is that in spite of the little setbacks the garden continues on producing its fruit. Perhaps not my original intention but this may even be better. I was going to have way too much Zucchini anyway and the Cucamelons in this container were stunted because the plant in front blocked the sun. Now they have full sun everyday and can grow. Plus I can have some watermelon to go with the cantaloupe.
Just remember that bugs nor bully’s give a shit about you. If there is going to be a shit given about your garden or your temple it will need to be you who gives it. Cause if you don’t no one will. And remember that grace sometimes comes in the form of a knot on the head. Be redneck Groovy! 🙂
It is quiet now. Days since the storm, and I creep out from within the hollow of a nearby tree. All seems to have passed, and I do not see much damage as hands have made things right, and it is safe to emerge into the sun.
I look at the garden. She is beautiful, light playing peek-a-boo from behind passing clouds. I feel a smile emerge, from my heart, and touch my lips, as I look around. Serenity is upon us.
I wonder when I will see Sir (those school girl days, of telling tales, and biting nails are gone…) My Sir who tells stories, and dwells in the Realm of Both, always just upon the threshold of becoming. I have been away too long. I hope he will return again soon.
Following the path of a Flutterby as she darts from bush to stalk, to a single blade of grass, I flip up into the air an follow… waiting.
I love you. You are back. I have been away conjuring a spell that I hope will break the bonds of black magic practiced upon one of the Creator’s children. The Dark Sorcerers never rest. Her name is Anna.
And you are loved back! It is always good when you are at work bringing your stories to the world! I saw, and it was grand!
You are grand. I have missed you.
“My Sir who tells stories, and dwells in the Realm of Both, always just upon the threshold of becoming.” Oh, Fim! That’s so beautiful and so Plato! Lovely…
This was brilliant writing. Talk about a head twist with lessons to be learned.
I am so glad you were here. Thank you!
I loved the way you wove your ideas together–gardens and ass whippings! I’ve only been in one fight, got my ass whipped. But I got other ass whippings, other lessons that hurt much more than the pain of a fist in the face—big lessons learned. Your words brought these lessons back to me.
Hey brother! I hope your place in the world is as cool as it looks.
Are you speaking metaphorically, or literally?
About what brother?
my “place in the world”
Both. Your search internal and external makes you a pilgrim and not a tourist. I traveled a little when I was younger (1983-84). Been raising kids and chasing the $ since. Now the last baby is getting grown. Reading your stuff reminds me of those advertures many moons ago. 🙂
Right…a pilgrim at heart.
And apparently, you are too. “Adventures” seem to come in various modes. Yours is family mode…for me, a real scary, adventurous mode.
The bush in Zimbabwe was not as scary as some family stuff. 🙂 keep writing about what’s going on. We like it brother.
I really liked how you used this to make a conversation about not tending to things when need be. Tough love is what we all need at times.
Boundaries, healthy boundaries around our temple, our garden.. needed to hear that. Thanks, Plato.
Even the zen monks could kick ass if needed. 🙂
You forgot to say what you have to do when you’ve let the “bugs” get too big of a foothold! (Like years!) I guess I won’t feel like such a horrible ass for losing my temper then. I’ll try to remember to be “patient” and see what comes of it. Yes? Thanks for your wisdom, O Zen Master of Both… (palms together, Calen bows courteously as she backs her way through the temple, gratefulness filling her heart…) <3
Write this down and remember. “Sometimes the lord’s will in someone’s life is a country ass whipping and it can be the kindest most loving option available.” 🙂
Yes, O Zen Master. I will remember. 😀 😉