Labyrinth

“Interesting title today,” said Thalia.

“I stole it from The Midnight Library. Labyrinth was the name of a band in the novel,” Tal replied. “The hose-strewn aisles of the greenhouses Donna and Typist explored yesterday could be considered a labyrinth?”

Nia read from Merriam-Webster. “A complicated irregular network of passages or paths in which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze. Who can use it in a sentence?”

“I got it!” Thalia transformed into an eager student, raising her hand and waving her arm. “Typist’s mind is a labyrinth…” The Muse of Wit inserted a pregnant pause while tapping her index finger on her chin. “So she invited three beautiful, bright, and babbling muses to help her find her way.”

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Words from Typist:

Spring at the Boenning house is a cross between — holy-moly bare feet in grass is delightful and — jeezalu there is so much yard work to do. The weeding, deck staining, and brush hauling have a tendency to worm their way into negative passageways inside my labyrinth. I had a conversation with my friend JR who asked, “What might help you see the work differently?”

My response, “A friend to share! Donna… She loves to get her hands in the dirt. I could ask her to help me and inquire as to how I might reciprocate the favor. Her love of gardening will certainly spark a light in me.”

I asked Donna if instead of bowling, golfing, lunching, or walking… Would she come help me weed? (#cancergift… audacious requests allowed)

She said yes. As the day approached, an orchestra started cacophonous warm ups in my labyrinth. You can’t really ask Donna to pull weeds and push the wheelbarrow! What a silly idea. Maybe you should call her and suggest golf instead?

The morning loomed hot and humid. I had no desire or ambition to pull weeds. Standing still… sweat bubbled under my headscarf. When Donna pulled into the drive and got out of her car ready to dig and tote I said, “Oh my goodness… It’s soooo hot today! How do you feel about a tour of my perennial beds? I welcome a second set of eyes. After, will you come to the greenhouse with me to get annuals for my pots?”

And that’s exactly what we did!
We had a great time.
I felt satisfied in an awareness that I was doing my real work.

As I planted a few pots last night with a few varieties of flowers I’ve never used before — a black petunia with flowers that look and feel like velvet! — I remembered the concept of beginner’s mind. What if I look at our yard as if we’ve just moved into this space? I feel a glorious shift in my perspective at the thought.

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C news… in a few hours we’ll find out if the shots have assembled a strong army of white cells supported by meaty platelets. We’ll let you know tomorrow!

The engagement in the comments section of 3mm continues to grow like a weed-free, flourishing perennial bed.

Thank you!