Hollyhocks

Looking at all the beauty, all around, restores my soul

May 26

My Hollyhocks are blooming! This may not seem to mean much, but I first planted hollyhock roots two years ago. I was really excited to see them grow. I planted them on the side of the house with plenty of sun, and lots of room to grow nice and tall. My husband was also working on irrigation and drainage issues around the house. He was working in the yard, a lot needed to be done. The ground needed to be leveled, weeds killed and grass seed planted. That is the simple explanation. It was more work than you can imagine. Since we had no grass while all the work was going on the sprinkler system didn’t water my hollyhocks. They would grow a little and that would be it. They never grew more than about a foot tall. This year, with everything in place they are getting plenty of water. And they are growing! Earlier in the season, my husband noticed little yellow spots that turned int big yellow spots that were destroying the leaves. He found the solution and started treating them. We had to cut off a lot of the diseased leaves, so we were hoping for the best. Today, my husband took me to the side of the house and we have our first hollyhock bloom, with more on the way. We also planted Rose of Sharon on the side of the house and they are about to bloom. So much beauty. Looking at the beauty that God provides every day, everywhere I look, reminds me of His goodness and His love for me. A few minute walk around my house looking at all the beauty that God has provided restores my soul. It lifts me up and fills my heart. It is hard not to smile when you see such beauty, and smiling brings joy. I have joy, bubbling up, and overflowing.