Holly Hocks and Turtle Rocks

One of my favorite things about our new property is finding treasures in unexpected places. Not treasures like Hollywood offers but treasures in nature. I love searching and looking for those treasures but it's simply stunning to have it surprise you.

I was tying up my tomatoes in the tiny little garden when I heard a splash in the pond just a few yards away. I saw at least two turtles all wrapped up around each other in an angry tussle. I've seen a lot of little turtles sun bathing on the rocks lining the pond but these were huge. They plunged in and out of the water looking like a round turtle ball. My attention was captured for a good while until they put aside their differences and slipped back into the water. I was mesmerized by what I witnessed as I returned to my tomatoes.

On another day it was beauty that surprised me. Tucked away behind the corn crib there were gorgeous Holly Hocks flowering and towering over me. I couldn't help but notice the backdrop of rusted old metal roofing against the bright pink flowers shouting their message of cheer. The contrast was so symbolic to me of how opposites truly compliment each other: young and old, bright and dull, vibrant and weathered. My friend captured a picture and I found the strengths of both even more noticeable.

Side by side is so much better when you're different. After so many years of resisting what's different, I'm finally seeing the treasure in the contrast. That surprise has become my greatest treasure.