My mom marked the change of seasons by looking out her picture window to see what was growing around her. She sent emails about the crab tree flowering in spring. About her overflowing bubblegum petunias and the tiger lilies in her summer garden. About the neighbor’s cornfields ready for harvest. About the long winters where nothing grew at all.

When I was in the throes of raising four kids, I thought mom’s attention to flowers was odd. Who had time for flower pictures?

I never saw the deeper meaning, the gift my mother demonstrated with her life.

My mom’s life was a rooted life. Not just in people and relationships, but in the land and place where she lived. She paid attention to her surroundings. Those annual markers called her to a deeper sense of belonging, a deeper sense of home.

In Christie Purifoy’s new book, Seedtime and Harvest, she writes:

“A rooted life is not a life in which we never move, never say goodbye, never begin again. Change is inevitable, even for a deeply rooted tree. But a rooted life is opposed to the superficial life, in which we are always skating over surfaces, our way smoothed by an ubiquitous consumerism….

“…But it does not take much to crack open the perfect bubble of a superficial life. Only attempt to grow a container of herbs or flowers by the back door, and you will begin to watch for rain, you will fear the wind that knocks your container over, you will notice the angle of the sun as you adjust your plant for more light, you will observe the smallest bee who comes to visit, and suddenly it matters that you are exactly where you are.

“And—before you even know it—you are rooted.”

This month you are invited to crack open the perfect bubble of a superficial life as you pay attention to the world where you live, in all its unexpected beauty. It matters that you are exactly where you are!

As always, there is a giveaway at the end, so keep reading!

Welcome to Wonder*FULL May.

INVITATION 1

Be a Witness to Your Own Surroundings

We re-did the landscape in our front yard this past fall, replacing the grass with desert plants. This spring, I’ve enjoyed watching the flowering of my globemallow, lantana, and aloes. Last week, my prickly pear cactus (we planted three varieties) had its first bloom.

The month of May is the time of flowering for the cactus plants here in the desert. Just about the time we hit triple digits—killing off the wildflowers—the cacti have their moments of glory under the desert sun.

Last May, our daughter, Katelyn, and I spent a perfect desert evening photographing the prickly pear cactus and other cactus friends at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. We had gone to search for nests and baby birds and ended up witnessing almost every cactus with flowering invitations to step closer. To say longer.

But not too close…you know…thorns!

Soon I will go searching for the annual fruiting of the saguaro. Like my mom, these annual milestones root me to my own place of belonging. Of being home.

What roots you to where you live?

INVITATION 2

Go on a Rooted Treasure Hunt

In your own rooted life, take time to notice the beauty and wonder of where you live. I have three of my own treasures to share.

First, the sweet peas are blooming in my garden. I almost didn’t plant them this year, because I have had no success in the past. I decided to give them one more try. Winner!

In the language of flowers, if you give someone a bouquet of sweet peas, you are wishing them blissful pleasure. Even their scientific name sounds like happiness: lathyrus adoratus.

Second, while out walking our dog, Mollie, I spotted not one, but three, Western kingbirds in a neighbor’s tree. I’ve lived here three decades and have never noticed this bird before. A new bird for my Life List!

Kingbird seems such a grand name for such a little fellow, but the birds are named for their aggressive, take-charge behavior. They fearlessly defend their territory, even taking on hawks if they feel their nest is threatened.

Now I know.

Finally, speaking of birds, my yearly count of vermillion flycatchers is up to twenty-three. (Yes, this is my typical bird photo!) Their brilliant flash of red is such a moment of joy.

Having a garden (or a house plant), getting out in nature, bird watching, and adding a spot of color to your world are all simple ways to add happiness to your life and enhance your mental well-being.

In her book, Nearing a Far God, author Leslie Leyland Fields writes about how faith practices—when she was growing up—centered around acquiring knowledge. Emotions and bodies were considered of less importance than what was put into our brains. Theology and an intellectual pursuit of faith were paramount. I grew up like that, as well.

And I don’t negate the importance of those pursuits!!

But neuroscientists (there are even neuro-theologians) are discovering the importance of getting our whole selves involved in loving God. To love the Lord our God with all our hearts, mind, soul, and strength as commanded in Mark 12:30.

Our five senses serve as a boomerang to lift and rotate us back to God.

Are you ready to go on a Rooted Treasure Hunt? Go ahead. I invite you.

IIN

INVITATION 3:

Carry a Verse in Your Soul’s Backpack

A verse to carry in your soul’s backpack:

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love…

Eph 3:17 AMCP

INVITATION 4

Giveaway!!

This month I am giving away three copies of my book Under a Desert Sky, along with five original photo cards of desert beauty. I like to honor this book’s birthday every May. Under a Desert Sky made its way into the world seven years ago!

Many of you already have a copy, but I am also happy to mail it to a friend if your name is chosen.

Click on the link below and send me a short email saying you want a chance to win! I will choose three random winners on May 8.

Congrats to Maggie, Nancy, and Bev for winning last month.

Photo Credits: Unless indicated, all photos are taken by Lynne Hartke. My mom’s bubblegum petunias, Albert Lea, MN. Taken in 2013. Tiger lily from my mom’s garden. Corn - Albert Lea, MN. Front yard cactus bloom - Chandler AZ. Desert Botanical Garden cactus pics by Lynne or Katelyn Hartke. Sweet peas from my garden. Western Kingbird from Merlin bird app. Vermillion flycatcher at Arrowhead Park, Chandler AZ. Heart-shaped prickly pear cactus and Palo verde tree in full bloom at the DBG by Katelyn Hartke.