AAAAHHHHCHOOOOO!!!!
Gesundhite!
Sitting on the front porch, listening to my wife, Carolyn, sneeze and clear her throat from the seasonal pollens, drifting into a few moments of Peace and relaxation, I am slowly transported back through Time…MORE than several years ago.
The year was 2000...the turn of the Century…late Spring, or, better yet, the early, early days of Summer.
I and Carolyn were sitting on the concrete area adjacent to the rear of our neighbor’s home…enjoying, with her, a glass (or two, or…well!) of her husband’s homemade wine. The three of us were relaxing, and enjoying the late hours of the afternoon…watching the birds visit our neighbor’s feeders, and listening to the cool afternoon breezes as they whispered sweet sighs into our ears.
As our visit neared its final moments, I offered a remark to our neighbor concerning the flowering vines which crept upwards along several areas of her house.
The vines were in blossom…each flower exuding a tremendous sweetness, which, when combined with the THOUSANDS of other blossoms, swept the human Spirit into complete comfort.
I had recognized the vines due to the fact that my maternal Grandmother also maintained a healthy brood of them in the backyard of her rented home back in Millvale, PA.
The vines were the fond HONEYSUCKLE vines which were well known throughout the Region and years of my childhood.
As I sang the praise of the Honeysuckle to our neighbor, and remarked how fortunate she was to have such incredible growths, she replied:
“Well, George, if you would like to grow some yourself, I would be happy to give you some cuttings.”
WOW!!! OF COURSE I said “YES!!!”
And so, she rose from her resting place, entered the house, and re-emerged with a jar or water and a pair of scissors. A few moments later, I was the proud recipient of Honeysuckle cuttings.
Later, arriving back home, I placed the jar of cuttings where they would receive the proper light in order to shoot forth roots. AND, a few days later…THEY DID!
Gradually, I separated the cuttings into two groups, and planted one group in the garden beside our studio; the other group, I planted next to a pergola in our main garden near the house.
NEXT
Weeks later…or perhaps a few months later, I was again visiting our neighbor’s home. This time, I was inside visiting with the male husband member of the Family.
Naturally, once again I was enjoying several glasses of his homemade wine with him.
The conversation gradually turned to the process of how he created such incredible, vintages. He explained and described in detail the entire process to me.
BUT…I wondered: Where did he get his grapes? He replied that he harvested them from the grape vines growing in the side yard of his house.
WOW!!! We trekked outdoors to the area, and he showed me the vines and the various grapes they produced. He even picked several grapes for me to taste!
WOW, AGAIN!!!
And then he said:
“Well, George, if you would like to grow some yourself, I would be happy to give you some of the plants.”
GUESS WHAT!!!! I GOT’ EM…PLANTED’EM…and GREW’ EM!
In addition, he also taught me the process of brewing my own wine…which I did!
TIME PASSAGES
Our beloved neighbors, MR & MRS. B, have both Journeyed Onward.
Mrs. B…left us in 2004. Mr. B, just a short time ago.
HOWEVER, the legacy which they gave to myself and Carolyn lives and grows more and more each and every year.
TODAY
As Carolyn and I sat on our front porch, we inhaled the incredible gift of the aromas produced by the Honeysuckle vines growing in our gardens.
Moreover, as I rose to fetch the ball to throw again to Hobbes, I approached the grape vines stretching along our property.
The grapes are beginning to grow and ripen. Soon they can be harvested.
Perhaps this year I will retrieve all my wine making paraphernalia from the studio’s second floor and will, once again, try to follow the instructions given to me by Mr. B.
FOOTNOTE
As with all things…Time Journeys onward…as do the People we Love.
HOWEVER…that LOVE and LEGACY can NEVER be erased. It Lives forward through all Eternity.
Those that contemplate the Beauty of the Earth
find reserves of Strength
that will endure as long as Life lasts...
the Assurance that Dawn comes after Night,
and Spring after Winter.
MAY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR EVERY DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE, PEACE, AND HOPE!
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