A World I Can Control

It seems to me that I live in chaos.  My choice.  I could manage my time better.  I could delete from my life some of the activities that keep me at a dead run. 

But then I start considering what I would be willing to give up.....last-minute trips to the beach, late-night laughter over appetizers, scripture study and class preparation for seminary, binge-watching my show du jour, children's theater costume designing and creation, walks with the dog, playing board games with my family, sharing thoughts with my husband?  Nope.  None of that is, as politicians say, discretionary spending of my time.  I need them.  They are required.

Then we move on to the list of things I don't like to do, that I would gladly label discretionary.  Laundry, sweeping, mopping, doing dishes, windows (yeah, right?!), vacuuming.  Again, no real wiggle room. I've pretty much already shaved those down to as little as is hygienic, I think.
Work?  Well, my boss is really understanding, but even he would notice if I didn't show up.  And would ask about it at dinner--since my boss is my husband.
So...the chaos continues and my time remains unmanaged.
However, I have found there is a small part of my life that I can direct.  A little, infinitesimally tiny corner, a speck, of the universe that I can control.  A fairy garden.

I made my first one a couple of years ago with the help of a crafty friend. I found some interesting plants and a large planter at my local big box "home" store and a few small scaled bits and pieces at my local craft store and I was ready.  An hour later, with dirt under my fingernails, I pronounced it good.  My own planet writ small.  There was a house, a stone path, over-sized ceramic mushrooms and dainty flowers.  A miniature garden chair half-hidden in the shade of a towering grass plant and a tiny grey kitten walking down the path.  My imagination exploded with the possible stories of the very small people who will live in that very small house.
Since that first garden, I have reworked it several times.  Replanted when insufficient summer rain (and my lack of watering) or winter's deep freeze rendered the garden desolate. Each time I enjoy the process of seeking out just the right plants and situating them just so....allowing for lines of sight to reveal signs of the tiny inhabitants' belongings, suggestions of their lives. 
This year, I have expanded my interest in that world of my creation and, as I decorated my own yard for Halloween, I did the same for my imaginary tenants, complete with a jack-o-lantern and graveyard behind a iron fence.
My life may not be managed; I may live in a state of constant "what do I have to do todays."  But my fairy garden is under control, organized, ready at any time for me to take a peek at, hoping to see someone resting in a chair or using the tools to plant something in the little flower pots.
I like fairy gardens.  They let me imagine I can control something.  Even if it is something very small.
Now I can't wait to get things ready for Christmas.  I think there's going to be deer visiting and signs of mini fairy children--a wagon full of presents, a tiny tricycle--I wonder if Santa visits fairies?