Every year at this time, my dad has planted his Fall greens garden.  It’s like clockwork for him.  Once the summer garden is over and done, he gets his garden prepared for Fall greens and it’s a beautiful sight to see.  We know how important my dad’s garden is to him.  It keeps him going and we love that he is still so passionate about his hobby that has lasted a lifetime.  We do not want to discourage that, it truly does keep him going and living life.  We do, however, wish that he would  slow down a little and maybe stick to planting one garden instead of two.  We haven’t won that argument yet either and I’m quite sure in the spring, he will once again plant his Georgia backyard garden and their NC mountain house garden.  It might be time to slow down, but he is not owning it yet.
He amazes me with his stamina. Â I mean, I gave up trying to care for my yard and turned it over to professionals this year. Â Not him, he still mows his own yard and takes care of all the gardening and pruning around their house. Â They don’t make many men like my dad anymore, I don’t think. Â For his age, he keeps going and going and going. Â And we are happy and grateful for that.
Last week, I was over there for lunch and caught him outside doing something with the pruning shears. Â He’s always doing something out there.
His garden is planted with mustard greens, collards, turnips, kale, cabbage, broccoli, and maybe something else I’ve forgotten.
He knows how to grow greens, no doubt about it! And I think this is their secret for healthy living. All these greens add antioxidents into their diet, which no doubt keeps them healthy. Â I eat my greens every time I’m there too, with pepper sauce.
If you follow my Instagram or Facebook, you will see me posting lunch at my parents’ house pretty often. Â It always looks something like this. With greens on the table. Â I had NO idea how popular these quick phone photos would be, but they certainly are. Â You all go on and on about the food and what all is on the table. Â Southern cooking is contagious, I guess! Â My parents know that y’all enjoy them and get a kick out of that.
My entire life, if ever I needed a place of peace and a sense of belonging, I got it at my parents’ house and this table. Â I can be a little girl again and feel surrounded by their love.
We are so grateful that God has allowed our parents to still be around. Â They have lost many of their peers and we hope to keep them around for many more years to come. Â My sister and I try to eat lunch with them once a week when all our schedules permit. Â We have started taking them out to lunch once a month, to give mom a break from cooking. Â She enjoys it. Â Dad tolerates it. Â His favorite restaurant is still Iris’s Kitchen.
Thank you all for enjoying our parents too!
God bless them they look great and healthy!
What a wonderful tribute to your Mother and Daddy. Two of the most Godly people that I know. You are truly blessed to have them. I am blessed to know them. Much love to your family.
I am alwways so amazed at what people can coax out of the earth. I am HOPELESS in the garden. My dad also loved his garden and nothing made him happier than playing in the dirt. He and your dad would have gotten along famously . . . .
I love the updates on your parents! So inspiring and we all could learn something from your Dad’s wisdom about staying active.
My mom is almost 71 and she’s always working outside on her gardens. Sometimes I think she over does it and needs to rest more. But, I like to think her five acres is her sanctuary and brings her much peace.
Betsy Gordon
Love them both – they are a blessing to so many. And so are you for sharing them!!
I can truly appreciate your parents. My in-laws are the same way, and my husband and I make sure to thank God for them every single day. We always joke that, if we call them during the day and they don’t answer, they must be out digging a ditch or cutting down a tree. They have two gardens every year, plus fruit trees. It’s a blessing! Keep the updates coming.
Rhoda, I feel blessed to read about your parents. They are such an inspiration. My Mom is 83 and I keep telling her about them. She seems to brighten up when I share about how healthy they are and how well they are doing. She got tickled when I told her we needed to eat more greens. Seeing how well they are encourages her to keep going and it gives her hope. Your Dad and Mom probably have no idea how they have inspired so many through your blog.
Rhoda, do you think your Dad would mind sharing what he uses to keep his greens so healthy? Any fertilizing tips or ways to keep the bugs away? He should certainly write a book about his gardening.
Thank you so much for sharing with us. Hope you get to enjoy some of those greens very soon 🙂
Debbie, his normal fertilizer is 10-10-10, so I’m pretty sure that is what he uses on these too. He also adds mulched leaves and any sort of compost he can get his hands on to help with the soil in his garden. My BIL has been bringing him bags of mulched leaves lately so you can see some of those in the garden.
I’m so glad you are encouraging your mom, they need to keep on moving at this age.
Rhoda,
Thank you so much for sharing about the fertilizer, mulch, and compost.
I spoke to my DH about your parents and tomorrow morning we are starting a walking program! I want to be healthy and active when we get their age. God bless you and your family!
Rhoda
I do love reading about your mom and dad. I think I saw cabbage in there? Yummy!!
I keep begging my dad to give up some things as well (he is as active as your dad) HOWEVER someone told me that this probably keeps him going and to stop or slow down might be detrimental….so I shut up (sometimes!)
This is wonderful on so many levels. First…the greens! They look so delicious…bring on the fresh turnips (with some mustard greens mixed in. 🙂 ) Secondly, I am so happy your father is energized by his work in his garden. My father in law has been bedridden since April, and not being able to plant his gardens has certainly gotten him down. He had his sons do it for him, but it is obviously not the same. Blessings to your parents that they keep on doing what they are doing!
Thank you for your generous heart, Rhoda. I love that you share these pictures and stories about your lovely parents. They certainly are worth bragging about and we love to see the Lord’s blessings so evident in these two humble people. (The Parker pics are most welcome too-ha!). Enjoy your day!!
They have definitely been blessed with every gift including that of length of years. You and your sis are very blessed
Rhoda, you are blessed!
Rhoda, for a person like your dad who gets so much pleasure from digging in the earth…one day in the far future when the Good Lord calls him home, he would probably be happy if he was in his garden when the call comes. Your mom is beautiful with those gorgeous blue eyes!! You are truly blessed.
Rhoda – I totally agree – they do not make men like your sweet Daddy anymore…he is truly an inspiration to every one of us. And your beautiful Mom is also such a hard worker – preparing the bounty that your Dad has worked so hard to cultivate. God Bless them both – they are truly an inspiration……
Love seeing posts about your family. You have wonderful parents and its nice to see them in their day to day lives.
You are so lucky to have them and your Moms wonderful cooking. My Dad took his last great adventure (his words for it) in his favorite work clothes and a packet of tomatoes seeds in his pocket. More power to your Mom and Dad
Your parents are so special. Love the posts/instagram when they are featured. A blessing for sure!
I believe this is his secret to his longevity-he stays active, and what a beautiful fall garden!
You are truly blessed to still have both your parents.
This truly made me cry. I believe I may be your age and my parents have been gone for years. I was on the back porch this morning thinking of them and came in and read your post. “My entire life, if ever I needed a place of peace and a sense of belonging, I got it at my parents’ house and this table. I can be a little girl again and feel surrounded by their love.” Our parents are treasures.