Today's posts from James and Lesley

Today we have another joke from James and some words supplied by Lesley:

In a Monastery Garden

A man who had been an active member of his local Green Gym wanted, for some reason,  to become a monk and decided to join a monastery where he thought his experience would be valuable in looking after the gardens there. The man went to talk to the head monk.

The head monk said “You are welcome to join us and to join the garden maintenance group but to be a monk you must take a vow of silence and you are only allowed to say two words every three years”.

The man agreed and after the first three years the head monk came to him and said “What are your two words?”

“Loppers blunt” said the man.

Three more years went by and the head monk came to him again and said “What are your two words?”

“Bowsaw rusty” the man exclaimed.

Three more years went by and the head monk came to him again and said “What are your two words?”

“I resign” said the man.

“Well” the head monk replied, “I’m not surprised. You’ve done nothing but complain ever since you got here”.

 -James

Meanwhile Lesley has supplied some words that she has copied from a friend's Facebook post:

It was March 2020 ...
The streets were empty, the shops closed, people couldn't get out.
But spring did not know, and the flowers began to bloom, the sun shone, the birds sang, the swallows would soon arrive, the sky was blue, the morning arrived early.

It was March 2020 ...
Young people had to study online, and find occupations at home, people could no longer go shopping, or go to the hairdresser. Soon there would be no more room in hospitals, and people continued to get sick.
But spring did not know, the time to go to the garden arrived, the grass greened.

It was March 2020 ...
People have been put in lockdown. to protect grandparents, families and children. No more meetings or meals, family celebrations. The fear became real and the days were therefore similar.
But spring did not know, apples, cherry trees and others bloomed, the leaves grew.

People started reading, playing with their families, learning a language, singing on the balcony inviting neighbors to do the same, being supportive and focusing on other values. (Some learned how to do housework!!)

People realized the importance of health, of suffering, of this world that had stopped, of the economy that has plummeted.
But spring didn't know. the flowers gave way to the fruit, the birds made their nest, the swallows had arrived.

Then the day of liberation came, people found out on TV, the virus had lost, people took to the streets, sang, cried, kissed their neighbors, without masks or gloves.

And that's when summer came, because spring didn't know. He continued to be there despite everything, despite the virus, fear and death. Because spring didn't know, he taught people the power of life.

Everything's gonna be fine, stay home, protect yourself, and enjoy life - but mainly remain confident and keep smiling!