Homebodies - Today I chose to wonder

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Published on Sunday, July 26, 2015

By Rita Friesen

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There are things in my daily life that could, and sometimes do, irritate me. Today, as I tackled the day, one chore at a time, I chose to wonder. The yard is looking presentable, the grass short enough for me to spot the mole hills. 

It has been my policy to grit my teeth and remove the mounds of earth from the west side of the yard. Why not the east side? For starters, it is much larger, and rougher. Need a seat belt if you drive the mower too speedily. Today, as I removed a wheel barrow-full, a large wheel barrow, and very full, of lovely granular loam I chose to wonder: At the tenacity and intelligence of a tiny underground creature; at the vast amount of soil he/she/they are able to move in one night! Not unlike pulling a hole in a beaver dam at sunset only to see the place repaired and shored up by daybreak.

I pulled weeds in the garden. I have resorted to chemical warfare with the thistles. There are buckets in the garden for the portulaca that I pull out. One tiny leaf can create a new spreading mat. Like a sprig of quack grass can overtake an iris planting. I wondered at the divine design that created plants that can withstand drought and heat and active pursuit! I wondered as well about the marvel of planting tiny dormant seeds and harvesting succulent cucumbers and red cheeked tomatoes. 

My day allowed me to spend time online with a sister in Thailand and a daughter in California, time on the phone with a friend on the other side of this country, a chance chat with friends while out walking the dogs. All those were extras, contact above the errands and must dos. I wondered at the gift of communication, words and clicks and voices. I really stopped to wonder at the gifts of friendship that enrich my days.

 Without my determination to wonder instead of fret, I would have been annoyed that the lid of the chest deep freeze had not completely closed and ridges of frosted ice lined the sides of the unit. As I chipped the ice I recalled the wonder of the first freezer that my parents owned. It changed the way mom preserved our food. She still spent hours making tomato juice, pickles and jams, but many of the vegetables could be frozen. And not only did it save her time and energy in a hot kitchen, scalding jars and canning hundreds of jars of produce, the stuff looked and tasted better! 

 It is relatively easy for me to see things in a positive light. I am thankful. Every once in a while, it is good for me to have a wondering day. See things a little differently. And throughout my working in the yard and garden, I did not have to interact with a single snake. I did not have to test my wondering on that. I am thankful!