RicelandMeadows

Newly Planted Small Orchard

June 8, 2011

 

     Connie and I went to a local home improvement store to get weed eater string. They had trees marked down to 50% off. Many trees were the flowering and landscape variety, but on a pallet, partially obscured, were a few semi dwarf apple trees. I chose three Jonagolds and two Golden Delicious. The five passed over misfits  were in rough shape.

 

     Some of the trees had a few broken branches. All of them needed a drink and they all needed planted. Their containers were broken or torn, but looking past the flaws, I could see five very nice young apple trees. We bought them for under $12.00 a piece. They now make up our small orchard. We had two trees planted there from last year, but now have an orchard 😮

 

     I thought about those misfit trees on the way home. There was not a thing wong with them other than they had been neglected. They were the last ones from this season, passed over by other buyers. I have been the last guy picked for a baseball team or kickball game, perhaps that is why I brought them home.

 

     Life is not about perfection. It is a process that takes us through some awful places once in a while. We meet some strange , even unusual people along the way. Be the one who can look beyond a person’s physical faults or quirkiness. You will meet some very nice folks. Look for the good in everyone and you will find it, more importantly, it will find you!

 

     I have a good horse, Duke, who was born with crooked front legs. He hobbled around on those bent limbs for the first few weeks of his life. His mother watched over him, called to him when he strayed and protected him in every way. She saw the good in him. He is now a very personable draft horse who will do almost anything for me. I guess I saw the good in him too. His legs are now straight and his flaws mostly gone.

 

     My Lucy dog was a little too small for some, but her heart and ability was as big as a house. I am sure glad I didn’t let her imperfections make me pass her by.I would have missed out on many things, the least of which was a good friend.

 

     I have known some characters in my life. They were far from perfect. Some had weird hair , some talked funny, some had birth defects and one poor soul had the effects of a house fire melted on his face. These have been some of the greatest people I have ever known. A wonderful bunch, who overcame adversity and those in our society who think they alone, are perfect.

 

     I have been the shy kid in school. I was the kid who’s baby teeth rotted and fell out from poor nutrition. I wore jeans with patches on them. I wasn’t the best ballplayer and I was a kid who loved the farm. I was taunted and teased a lot when I was young. It hurt for a while, but when I decided that I was going to be who I was, no matter what other people thought … Life got a whole lot better 😮

 

     I have a strong personality. There are folks who probably don’t like me much. I am not the perfect guy who worries if my deck shoes have mud on them … Yea right, like I would wear deck shoes! I have been known to go to town with sweat stains showing on my tee-shirt, a hole in my bib-overalls and grease on my hat. Some folks would let those things bother them and avoid me.

 

     Those who take the time to get to know me and look beyond my flaws, find a pretty nice guy. I am knowledgeable about many farm and garden topics. I have a wealth of information about draft horses, woodlots and many other topics. I have a deep understanding of people, a quiet confidence and a “can do” attitude. I know about character , mostly because I am a character 😮

 

     The point to all of this is; each of us struggles with life. Some look perfect, but have broken spirits that may never heal. Others have lots of money and no cares in the world … until the money runs out … and it will. Some have lots of friends and acquaintances, right up until they fall flat on their face over something trivial. Then their plastic friends are gone…the very same ones who picked them first for the ball team.

 

     Be the person who values true friendship and looks beyond shortcomings. My mom found the good in me, conceived out-of-wedlock, born with gobs of unruly black hair and hands as big as my face. She, like Duke’s mother, protected me from life while I grew into it. I’m still growing. It’s the bumps and curves that build strength in a person. I say thanks to all who love me. Know that I love all of you with a deep bond that comes from being the imperfect one. I stand in awe at times over the people who have chosen to be my friend, my partner and my pals. I would choose each of you first to be on my team … Sorry family … you are stuck with me 😮