The Garden Waits

My gardening is coming along slowly. Other priorities are pushing it out in time. Yesterday I did dismantle last year’s garden and clean up the area where my blackberries are growing. The berries have already gone through a blossom cycle and have little berries growing. A second blossoming is occurring now. I have two plants putting up new stalks that are about 3 feet long and growing fast. That area needs a trellis put in.

I’ve gathered all the containers for the vegetable garden and began making one self-watering pot—but that’s it. I spent the time today running Lou to the bank and post office, finishing laundry from yesterday and checking out the car in preparation for our next trip to Jax. Then I had to spend some time on a broken garage door opener. The door stopped ¼ way closed and the motor would run but not move the door. I took off the cover and found that the nylon drive gear had completely worn out. The opener is 10 years old so something wearing out is not unexpected. What was unexpected was finding that Sears doesn’t carry any parts for the opener. I spent a little time on line and found a place that sells the parts I need. I ordered 2 sets of replacement parts. Our 2nd garage door opener is now 8 years old and is the same design. I figured I’d be replacing the gear in that one soon anyway—and shipping costs were the same for 1 or 2 parts.

Brie actually rubbed Lou’s hand this morning and then walked away. She’s still nervous but is beginning to accept him.

I got a little worried about brother Lou today. I took him to the bank and it was as if he never was in a bank before. He has no understanding of how things work and gets confused easily when something is explained to him. Added to that is his lack of ability to plan ahead for anything. He only thinks of something he needs or has to do when he is at the store or business that does it. That goes for groceries, errands and today when we were at the bank I found out he needed information about how to set up a bank account as a non-profit or charity organization. When we arrived at the bank he took a piece of paper and went to a table in the bank and started his list of what he had to do there. Last week I had to show him how to use an ATM – it was the first time he ever used one. We suggested he have his ATT bill paid automatically but he doesn’t want to. It’s almost as if he were a little child out in the world.

We try to help him and he is learning some—but I still worry for him. Will he manage OK without someone looking out for him? His trust is that God will take care of him. We’ve seen him do some amazing things. Seeing Lou in the bank and post office today was just worrisome. Being out on the road he has to know how to work those basic services to communicate and manage his money. Keep him in your prayers.