Independence and Sliced Tomatoes

kiehart
Jul 3
1 min read

Ah, July 4th. A day when we celebrate liberty, justice, and our fundamental human right to eat way too many grilled red meats. But beneath the fireworks and watermelon chunks lies a deeper truth: democracy is a lot like a garden. Messy. Labor-intensive. And constantly invaded by weeds that refuse to take a hint.

Right now, our political soil feels...compacted. A little dry. Maybe even scorched. But guess what? That’s when gardeners get scrappy. We dig in with hope, compost a little frustration, and keep planting the good stuff: kindness, empathy, truth—heck, even accountability if we’re feeling brave.

Our founding folks planted liberty like it was a wild heirloom tomato. Gorgeous, unruly, and not always pest-resistant.

Now it's our turn to tend the plot—give it water, pull the weeds, and try not to step on the lettuce of civil discourse. So this Independence Day, let’s celebrate freedom like gardeners celebrating the first zucchini—awkward, proud, and slightly unsure what to do with it.

Let’s grow something together. Something bold. Something hopeful. And if it all goes sideways… well, we’ve got tomatoes!

Pictured: our little garden plat at our apartment complex. We planted cherry tomatoes hoping for a bumper crop in August as we battle chickweed (Stellaria media).

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Jul 08

Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Great and humorous insight Judy!

September Post

September isn't just a Month--it's a Mindset

Photo: Monarch Pass, Colorado, September

Let me begin with a quote that captures the quiet magic of this month: “September tries its best to have us forget summer.” – Bernard Williams.

There’s something bittersweet about September. It’s not loud with excitement and energy like July or with sparkle and shine like December. It whispers. It reminds us that change is approaching—and change can inspire personal reflection.

In the Northern Hemisphere, September marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and trees begin their slow, spectacular transformation. Leaves shift from green to gold, amber, and crimson—nature’s final fireworks before winter’s hush.

September teaches us that slowing down doesn’t mean stopping—it means preparing. Families switch into school mode. Farmers begin their harvest. Animals start their migration or gather food for the colder months.

September is a quieter month. The rush of summer fades, and the frenzy of the holidays hasn’t yet begun. There’s time to think. To breathe.

I’ve always found September to be a time of clarity--my 'chill' month. It’s when I take stock of my goals, reconnect with my values, and prepare for the final stretch of the year. For me, it’s about recalibration.

So what is September, really? It’s a month of balance, of beauty, of quiet transformation. Observe the changes that surround you each day. Be reminded that change doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

As we move through this month, I invite you to let go of what no longer serves you. And prepare, with purpose, for what’s to come.