Legacy and Red Peppers

Yesterday and today, I called upon my Nebraskan ancestors as I tilled Husker soil and planted my small meager garden out in the back yard. I grew up in Illinois, but my grandfather's family is from Indianola, NE. The young ones gradually moved East and I think that I am the only progeny that has moved back to the heartland.

I have always been fascinated by the pioneering spirit of the people who came out here years ago to cultivate the plains. Just a dream and a vision and a lot of guts. They had to move far away from loved ones, relatives, and security just to have a shot at something bigger. They knew that they would face hardships: disease, drought, unpredictable weather, but the pursuit of a dream was a stronger calling. They risked their own lives (and sometimes the lives of their children) in order to achieve something bigger than "right now."

My something bigger is a whole heck of a lot smaller. I've got two tomato plants, one zucchini, one eggplant plant (Is that redundant?), some spinach and some carrots and one each of a red and a green pepper plant. I like to plant vegetables because I am always looking for a thrifty way of growing my own food. Red peppers at the grocery store last time I checked were like a buck-fifty each, and I am hoping I can get more than one out of my plant. (Fingers crossed.)

I also like to garden to show my kids how things grow. Really, God created amazing miracles in the way things grow. From teeny tiny seeds to wonderous green plants to fruit that we can take and eat and nourish our bodies. It is truly amazing. And to be sharing this miracle with my own little growing miracles is a pretty neat thing.

And I also like to garden because its a great way to get a tan. If you've read any of my posts, you know that I have been battling the "Unemployed So I'm Going to Pig-Out Probably More So Than I Should, Even Though I Know I Shouldn't Blues" and I have a friend who insists that tan fat looks better than white fat. Who am I to argue with a friend?

I am sure that my relatives of the past in no way could have been as 2010 superficial as I am. I'm not even sure if tans were "in" back then. (I don't think they sold Hawaiian Tropic at the General Store.) But I do appreciate their sacrifice. As I till the earth and crush it in my hands and teach Mia the best way to hydrate the soil, I am inspired by their tenacity and look forward to my own "Something Bigger." Whatever it may be. My Legacy.