vegetables Archives - Diana Derringer

Grow Like a Weed

August 8, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 4 comments

My youngest relatives grow like a weed. One day, they are knee high to a grasshopper. The next, they stand as high as my shoulder. Now, most tower over me.

It takes longer than three days for that to happen. However, they do grow fast.

To grow like a weed means to grow quickly.

If we have a garden, we have weeds. We pull the weeds. A day or two later, we have more weeds. Tall weeds. The battle never ends.

To grow like a weed also means to grow well.

We want our vegetables or flowers to grow well. When we bite into tomatoes, still warm from the vine, we almost burst with joy. Yet, to enjoy those tomatoes, we must deal with pesky weeds.

Weeds grow almost anywhere.

In addition to gardens, we find them in:

Yards
Fields
Parks
Cracks in sidewalks

Many weeds are beautiful.

People in Kentucky try to keep dandelions out of our yards. Yet, a first-time visitor from South Korea loved our beautiful yellow flowers.

Considered a weed by many people, goldenrod is Kentucky’s state flower. It turns a bare field into an ocean of gold.

All of us were created to grow.

We may not grow as fast or as well as a weed. However, we can grow and bloom where we are planted. Let’s make the world a more beautiful place with our presence.

“We are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field” (1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Stick to the Ribs--platter of roast beef , potatoes, carrots, onions I recently said I thought gravy was for the birds. J.T. Henderson commented, “Now gravy I like – ‘stick-to-the-ribs’ food.” My dad often said the same thing.

We usually like foods that stick to the ribs.

We describe them as:

Good to taste and good for you
Long lasting
Energy giving

They keep us going, even on cold, snowy days. They offer comfort. Sometimes they make us think of home.

Foods often described as stick to the ribs include:

Chili or thick soup (especially in cold weather)
Biscuits and gravy (even if I disagree)
Steak and potatoes

My favorites include:

Roast beef with potatoes, carrots, and onions
Corn from my garden
Coleslaw
Cornbread
Chocolate covered almonds (or almost anything chocolate)

Many favorites are not really good for us.

We simply like to eat them.

We know we should eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Yet, we say, “Forget the salad. Give me something that will stick to the ribs.”

Perhaps a better description for them would be stick to the belly. Getting food to stick there is easy as pie. However, when we try to get it off, we have our work cut out for us.

“Therefore, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV).

Thanks to J.T. Henderson for the idea. What is your favorite stick-to-the-ribs food? Comment below.