Arrrgh!!!

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in
order.
- John Burroughs

I'd like to be out working in my gardens now, but it's a cool, gray day under threatening skies. And, too, there is still work to be done in the office.

There are times when I drag my feet about my gardening chores. Usually that tends to happen when we are in the high heat of summer and the mosquitoes are out in force. But usually, after a good session playing in the dirt, I'm revigorated. The pleasure of gardens that are once again neat, and of a job well done always soothes my soul, and it's worth the achy muscles.

My father visited his fruit trees and vegetable garden each evening during the growing season. I thought it odd that he wanted to see them each day, until I became a gardener, too. Now I understand that he was seeking to put away the difficulties of the day and bring peace to his mind. Most likely, he was also giving thanks for the joy of having a garden.

Some of you lead such fast paced lives that you don't have the time to garden. I've been there, done that. When you find that pace to difficult to maintain, or when it fails to keep your interest, think about gardening. There's everything to be gained: the delight of growing your own food, or the pleasure of creating a beautiful landscape that reflects your personality.

For me, summer is wasted unless I have the chance to eat a tomato warm off the vines in my own garden. Nothing tastes as good as homegrown tomatoes!
And color has a huge influence on my life. This year I plan to plant verbena along the walks and paint the landscape with a beautiful hue of purple. If scent is important to you, walk through my herb garden, brushing the plants with your finger tips. Inhale. I not only get to perfume the outdoors, I can bring the scent into my home.

Gardens soothe the soul, delight the eye, and bring order to our lives. Go plant some seeds, and if you have children, teach them how to plant seeds. You'll both be better for it.