A Time to Plant

Just a week ago it was quite cold and the yard was covered in snow. Today the sun shone, the temperature pushed 70 and I saw the first robin (not the first robin anyone saw this spring, just the first one I noticed). A bad mood seems impossible.

Our little community garden opens next week. It's still a while before we can plant anything less hardy than peas or spinach up here in the northwoods. But somehow that makes the gardening season even more precious.

I've been thinking about our long, dark winters and how much I treasure the warm weather when it comes. There's a metaphor in there somewhere about valuing things more when they're rare - like good friendships, exquisite meals and true love. I wish you all three, and the feeling of gratitude that comes from knowing just how precious these good things are.