Gardening - Idaho style

It's kind of funny this time of year here. We have a couple of good, spring-like days with temperatures in the 60's and people go NUTS. They're flocking to Home Depot and the nurseries, buying all kinds of plants for their gardens.

(I confess, I'm guilty....)

Then it snows. Just like it did on Sunday.

And the funny thing is - we act like we're surprised about it! It's like, People!! How long have you lived here!?

Which is why my little tomato plants were placed in portable, inside-friendly containers. Like a topsy-turvy. I've never done a topsy turvy before, but since I am a tomato freak (the greener the better for frying), I decided to try it. What I didn't realize is how doggone heavy that little topsy turvy would get with all that dirt in it! So, when I brought it in from the patio I had to figure out a place to put it. The only place I could find that would hold it was the front room closet. So, there's a tomato plant hanging in the closet in my music room.

And that, folks, is how you garden in Idaho.

"It's only a cat....."

This is Shirley and yesterday, we had to put her to sleep.

We had a hard time knowing what to do. She's been blind and mostly deaf for about 6 months, but got around just fine as long as we didn't move the furniture. She was quite happy curled up on the heater vent or sitting on someone's lap getting her ears scratched. We mashed up soft cat food and added warm water so that she could eat easier. She had a happy old age.

But then, a couple of days ago, she got sick and we knew she wasn't going to get better. We didn't want her to suffer but, wow - that decision of putting them to sleep is hard, hard, hard. We got her as a kitten in 1994 and we've had her for so long that it's hard to remember a time in our family when we didn't have her there. Intellectually, I knew exactly what we needed to do. My heart, however, took a little longer to decide. I'm still not sure it's completely on board with the decision.

We took her to a dear friend that we've known for over 20 years - Dr. Reed Hanson in Rexburg. We didn't want her to have this experience in the hands of a stranger. He was so gentle and tender with her. And he understood my puffy eyes and uncontrollable emotion. Shirley and I both were in good hands.

He examined her, said he might be able to give her I.V. fluids to help her out a little but I had made the decision. We couldn't postpone the inevitable, much as I wanted to. No....we had the ability to release this little spirit from a body that was nothing anymore for her than pain and suffering. And, after all, isn't relieving the burden what friends do for each other?

I was very nervous. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I had to stay with her no matter what. As it turns out, I didn't need to worry. He helped her out so quickly and tenderly that it was almost a spiritual experience just watching it happen. He even gave her a little pink bandage for her arm where he had shaved off her fur to find a vein.

It didn't seem right leaving her at the vet, so we brought her home and buried her in the back yard, close to the house.Perhaps this summer I'll plant a little tree there.

I've heard people say "well, it's just a cat". How do I explain to them that a little animal who shares your home for 15 years is more than just a cat? How do I express the love our family has for this creature who has taught us to love and care unconditionally? She never failed to come when called and always purred in our presence, even if we weren't petting her. She just liked being around us.

I don't think Heavenly Father would allow us to form these loving connections with animals if we weren't going to resume those relationships later on. So, for now, we say a temporary goodbye to our little Shirley and thank her for a kitty's lifetime of love, fun, and sweetness.

Easter Gratitude - and why I like Easter better than Christmas

1. Peeps. Sugary sweet little treats that should adorn every Easter basket. I can't eat a whole box like I used to (well, I could but it wouldn't be pretty) but I still love them just the same. There's just something about a grainy marshmallow that can't be topped.

2. 60 degree weather on Easter Sunday. In Idaho!! Amazing. I don't think I remember an Easter Sunday in Idaho this pretty, which is why we have......

3. Indoor Easter Egg hunts. Three minutes of absolute, hair-raising chaos caused by very large children running about madly gathering plastic eggs off the top of picture frames, out of the piano bench, under the sofa. Great fun. Dangerous....but fun.

4. Easter music. Better than Christmas music....any day, any time. Who can top "He is Risen" and a rousing rendition of "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" with all of its Alleluias?

5. An easy family get-together. No presents, no snow, no stress. Pork roast tenderloin in the crock pot, garlic roasted potatoes, fresh steamed asparagus, and Mama's Squash Casserole. Perfect. Top it off with lemon pie and go take a nap, knowing that there's no tree or decorations that await attention.

6. Kids that feel the spirit of the day and happily wear ties (and bunny ears) without complaint.



7. Dying Easter eggs. OK - so my kids are old. Kent asked me why in the world I was buying an extra carton of eggs and he got the "what planet did you just drop off of?" look. Of course we dye eggs - age of children notwithstanding. It's tradition. And we had a great time doing it, too.

8. Memories of Easters past - Easter breakfast between church services served by the Lutheran Men. Nobody scrambles an egg like they do. A church full of Easter lilies (I can smell them now) and fresh flowers everywhere. Singing in the choir with my family. Family get-togethers with loved ones who have now passed on.....which leads me to the most important....

9. A knowledge of the resurrection. We have only said temporary goodbyes to those we love that are gone, thanks to the atonement and resurrection provided for us by our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have so much to share with my grandmother - I will hardly know where to start.