Porch Garden's Bounty

Like my Mother , and her Mother before her , I need to dig in the dirt ! We are gardeners ( and cooks and creators with fabric and craftors and... sigh...another story for another time ) . The call to order seeds , clean tools and ready the containers for planting is STRONG ! Shifting gears to accommodate my present home required planning , not a "truck garden" , but a Porch Garden ! Those three-lobed stacking planters sheltered various herbs , marigolds , re-grown scallions , ginger ! , lettuces and small oriental cabbages ! Added to the medley was an 18" pot for a small red potato , cut into thirds for each of three sprouted "eyes" .As the roaming deer like to snack on EVERYTHING , a cage of hardware cloth was fashioned to cover the emerging foliage . Fast forward to last week , said foliage's fading indicated it was time to harvest . That small planter yielded about three pounds of red potatoes !!! I AM DELIGHTED !!!

Another poem...(12/10/99)

" I love the sounds of storm - so sea-like , As winds surge through treetops And crash against the house , To recede and crash again . Strangely comforting to a land-locked shore-dweller - To be lulled to sleep by ocean's surf So far from the salty tang ."

" I Am More "

Uncluttering revealed several poems I'd written between 1999 and 2004...here's one : "I Am More " " I am more than the lines in my face , the grey in my hair , or the changes in my figure . I am more than Mrs.Somebody or So-and-So's mother . I am more than the car I drive , the clothes I wear , Or how big the stone is in the ring that may or may not be on my left hand . I am a Woman , with a capital "W" , A most precious , vibrant bundle of thoughts , talents and abilities . Able to lovingly rear two children on a $4 per hour job , To manage a household despite money that should be there , but isn't . To pursue creative goals with passion , to reach out to those in need with compassion and tenderness . Creating small pools of peace amid chaos , nurturing , loving , building , changing the world for the better , a little at a time . The beauty you see comes from within - sparkling in my eyes and flashing in my smile . I am Woman - a MOST precious bundle of thoughts , talents and abilities ! "