Sunflower Seeds in Setting Sun

When it comes to seasons, I definitely prefer spring over fall for one very specific reason – more sunshine. A standing quip of mine is that my favorite day of the year is December 22 when the days start getting longer. But there is something to a warm, sunny September day that begins and ends with that feeling of crispness heralding the oncoming autumn.

The critters are definitely mindful as well that the seasons are changing. Yesterday, we were sitting on our back deck lingering over dinner as the sun set. One of our giant sunflower stalks started shaking, almost violently. Then I noticed a squirrel trying to navigate the less-than-stable stalk.

In China, I often ate sunflower seeds with fellow travelers on the train or when stopping by to visit one of our local friends. Now I grow these giants for the fun of it, a gift of seeds from my sister. But they also make a great addition to the feed supply of our hens – just cut off a whole sunflower head, even part of the stem, throw it in the henhouse, and watch it disappear over the next few days, seeds first.

As the heads ripen, we’ll cut them off and save them for the hens and wild wintering birds. Gardens really are for sharing – the poor, the neighbors, other creatures, all as a means of giving thanks to the Creator. It is in growing a bounty that we learn to recognize the handiwork of the Master Gardener. A gardener is how God first appeared to Adam and Eve and how Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene on that resurrection morning. Something to be said for staying close to the food cycle – reminds us of the Source of life.