heart attack work...literally

when the Love of My Life was little, he found his dad working outside.
LOML: whatcha doin?
dad: hard ass work
mom, after LOML goes back inside: what's dad doin?
LOML: heart attack work

we've been doing a little "heart attack work" lately...literally. my FIL's bypass surgery went very well. he came home from the hospital yesterday and is doing fine. of course, getting your ribs cracked open is nothing...it could have been a lot worse. as a believer, i know there is a bigger hand in our lives than what fate would deal us. that my FIL would survive an abdominal aneurysm two years ago and catch a 70% blocked artery before it killed him is a total God thing. i had a conversation with LOML's dad the night before his surgery that led me to feel that he believes the same thing. that understanding brought a lot of comfort to my soul.

LOML's parents live on about 150 acres nestled in the foothills of the blue ridge mountains. his dad has the greenest thumb- he could spit and the most delicate rose bush would grow where it landed. the garden he has created is more than impressive. it's southern living worthy. the fence surrounding the 1.5 acre garden is about 13 feet high. the posts making up the fence are cedar tree trunks from the property. he has grape vines, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, pear, apple, peach, and plum trees, asparagus, strawberries, and rhubarb. that doesn't even touch the plain ole vegetable garden- peppers, tomatoes, snap peas, squash, bibb lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers, melons, and cantaloupes. he has built a "shed" that houses his tractor and every gardening tool you could ever need. it's not just any shed- it is a thing of beauty. he also built a gazebo right outside the garden. there is a fabulous view down the pasture and out over the mountains. i could sit in that swing for hours, just listening and watching.

i wish i could put you all in my suitcase and take you there to show you the beauty of God's creation...but since i can't, feast your eyes on these pitiful pictures that don't do it justice. (some where taken last summer when the fruits and veggies were really popping)