Potatoes and ponderings

My dad and I spent most of yesterday planting potato seed in the family garden. We utilized the potato planting tools that were passed down from both of my grandpas. They still work like a charm.....the only problem was that the newly tilled soil still has a lot of sod pieces in it. This made it a little tough to get to the 5 inch depth we were shooting for. I think that all in all we did a pretty good job though : )
Preparing for the farmer's market has unfortunately put me a bit behind my planting schedule so I happily accepted when dad offered to help with the potatoes.

As we spent the day working together I reflected on our past as father and daughter. Like any relationship, there were good times and difficult times....As a little girl, I remember dad throwing me up on his shoulders when my small feet were too tired to take another step....I remember him setting up the boy scout tent in our backyard so my brothers and I could sleep outside during the summer... I also remember the fishing trips to Hayden Lake, the long family bike rides at Farragut State Park, and the vacations to Penticton BC. Those moments I will never forget. I would however, like to forget my "trying" teenage years full of rebellion and chaos....but I thank both my parents for their patience and love and for always leading through example. My mom, of course, is no longer here on earth... but she's here in spirit and still guiding us all. I am grateful to both of them and all of life's lessons they have taught me.....And for the record....I was looking.... : )


This poem in "A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul" by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan says it all for me:

When You Thought I Wasn't Looking


When you thought I wasn't looking you hung my first painting on the refrigerator


And I wanted to paint another.


When you thought I wasn't looking you fed a stray cat and I thought it was good to be kind to animals


When you thought I wasn't looking you baked a birthday cake just for me


And I knew that little things were special things


When you thought I wasn't looking you said a prayer


And I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.


When you thought I wasn't looking you kissed me good-night


And I felt loved.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes


And I learned that sometimes things hurt but that it's alright to cry.


When you thought I wasn't looking you smiled


And it made me want to look that pretty too.


When you thought I wasn't looking you cared


And I wanted to be everything I could be.


When you thought I wasn't looking I looked...


And wanted to say thanks for all those things you did


When you thought I wasn't looking.