WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT BEING A FATHER!

     Yesterday was Father's Day. Fathers all over the country were honored by their families for all that they are and all that they do. No man becomes a good father instinctively. I certainly didn't! Men become the fathers that they are by being taught. They learn, I learned, from the example of their own fathers and they learn from the example of other fathers in their life. 
     It takes a "Man" to be a father. I know, some of you are probably saying "Duh! No kidding! Really?" What I mean is that any man can father a child. But, it takes a "Man" to be a "Dad", and A MAN STANDS UP! That's it in a nutshell...A Man Stands Up!
     A MAN STANDS UP when he learns that his wife is pregnant with his child. He loves her, supports her and lovingly cares for her. A man provides his wife and unborn child what's needed, physically and emotionally. A man marries the mother of his children. Way too many men walk away and abandon their responsibilities where their spouse and children are concerned.
     A MAN STANDS UP when his family is threatened financially and the bills pile up and there's more money going out than is coming in. A man stays and works through financial difficulties with his wife for the sake of his child or children. A man does what he has to do to provide for his family.
     A MAN STANDS UP when his family is threatened by the evils of this world. A man does what he has to do to protect his family from the evils of the world. There are so many dangers that lurk and threaten a family. Drugs and the evils that they cause, both inside the home and outside. Alcoholism and all the evils that it brings. A man exercises self control and keeps himself clean and sober so he can provide protection for his family.
     A MAN STANDS UP when sickness or death strikes without warning. Despite what he may feel, a man must remain strong and provide support for his family when a spouse or a child becomes seriously ill or worse, dies. He must reassure his family by being strong and in control of his emotions and he must continue to provide for his family whatever is needed  and to work with his family to get through these difficult times. 
     In short, A MAN STANDS UP! No one gets this done perfectly! Most of us are making it up as we go along. A man stays for the long haul and does the best he can. A wise man once said that 90 percent of life is just showing up. A man shows up!

"....BY THE SWEAT OF THY BROW"

     After Adam & Eve partook of the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden, the ground was cursed and Adam was consigned to getting his food by the sweat of his brow. Thus began the battle between man and weeds.
     For reasons that escape me, I decided to clear out the garden old growth and weeds and plant vegetables this year. I had the bright idea of constructing raised beds out of pressure treated wood. I had to repair the fence around the garden by replacing rotted/missing wood and rusted fencing. Between clearing the old vegetation from the garden and around the outside, roto-tilling the soil, placing the raised beds where SWMBO and I wanted them, hauling loam/compost mix from the front yard to the backyard garden, filling the raised beds and at long last planting/sowing our vegetables....whew! That's a lot of work! Who knew! 
     One interesting thing that made me go "Hmmm!" I found a dead hawk among the dead vegetation. One of its talons  had a death grip on the fencing. I have no idea how it died or how it ended up in my garden, but there it was. It was difficult extricating the talon from the fence.
     Here are some photo's or our handiwork...

Raised beds, weed block, before fence repairs.

Raised beds with weed block!

We put hay down to retain moisture and further block weeds.

...Well, the garden is in. I have gained an appreciation for producing food by the sweat of one's brow. We have planted Strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, beans,peas, carrots, radishes and onions.


      If anyone has any tips, advice, suggestions on how to be successful please forward them to me! I have a lot to learn! May God bless our efforts with a bountiful harvest! Enjoy the heat wave!