I am a Master Gardener, so I love tinkering in the yard. Heck, I love working away in the yard, and each year I experiment with something new.

One of my experiments this year was a batch of pumpkin seeds I planted in the spring.  I had visions of inviting neighborhood kids over in October to have their pick of a homegrown pumpkin.

The idea came to me as I remembered back two years ago when a vine sprouted near our front door.  I could tell it was a vegetable, from the leaves.  I was just tickled when I realized it was a pumpkin, growing right next to my front step.  It sprang, I imagine, from left over pumpkin seeds I had scattered for the squirrels the year before.  I was able to keep that self-sowed pumpkin there, on the vine, through Halloween and beyond. 

Just as that pumpkin was an effortless gift, each year I’m fortunate enough to get several wonderful tomato plants, without lifting a finger.  They plant themselves from tomatoes that fall the year before, then wait through the winter and spring until a warm summer day sets them sprouting.

So what strikes me about this photo is, this year I planted and tended to the pumpkin vine on the left, only to have it wither and die.  The wonderful looking tomato however appeared and thrives all on its own; a gift from the earth to us.

A fitting analogy I thought for many aspects of my life.  There are circumstances that I try to mold to my own desire; sometimes with good results, other times not.  And then there are gifts from the Universe and Spirit, which just appear.

My role is just to give thanks and enjoy.