Playing with Mother Earth

This morning the Pond is totally still.  I do see a new tree (not noticed before) reflected in the far side between the labyrinth and the Pond.  Odd, Ray planted three weeping willow trees near there a couple years ago that didn't survive my inattention during the drought  And now, God has planted a red maple that will surely survive.  I have learned living here that those that God plants seem to be guaranteed to survive - those I plant probably won't.  But, if they are gifts from friends, they do!  For example, Liz gave me a  tiny shoot of an American Beautyberry last year that I put in a pot.   It went leafless very soon but now is loaded with beautiful live leaves!  Now the question is, where do I put it? - time to get it out of the pot and into the yard.  You may have noticed two small trees near the labyrinth?  They are persimmon trees planted by God several years ago (There is a large one in back of the labyrinth.)  Even though I cut the smaller one down two years ago, it is coming back....Red maple seeds have sprouted and I've dug holes along the drive for 6 of them.  Started holes and had to fill them with water and wait for the soil (red clay) to soften a bit to dig more.  I have no doubt the red maples will survive (if I remember to keep them wet a few weeks).  We found their beautiful bright red seeds on the forest floor while a group was walking the trail some weeks ago and Philip and I stuck some in potting soil - and now we have leaves. ......Do you ever put your fingers into the dirt?  If you have trouble meditating, try it.  There's something about playing with Mother Earth that turns off the monkey mind and turns on the inner voice we wait to hear in seated meditation.