As the earth warms and wildflowers begin to bloom, gardeners know it is time to ready the ground for seeds and seedlings. A garden can be extensive enough to feed dozens or hundred of people while the one next door could be a few small pots of vegetables. How wonderful that each of us can decide just how many plants we want to grow and what variety. I have to be extra watchful during this season for my desire for growing and harvesting organic produce is often larger than my ability. We created raised beds for vine berries, corn, and a few other vegetables. The strawberries went into an old wading pool several years ago. Shallow root plants do well in that type container and their spreading will be confined.

To use a wading pool or similar container, punch holes in the bottom, place a layer of small rocks or gravel, fill to just below the top of the sides, and plant your seeds or seedlings. Water in the cool of the evening, being careful not to wet the leaves, and watch your plants grow. Such shallow containers will not work for deep root plants such as potatoes but work extremely well for herbs, strawberries and other shallow rooted plants.

Before too many weeks pass, you can harvest fresh herbs or berries to enjoy and share with your family. There is absolutely nothing like fresh picked produce of any kind when it comes to flavor. Growing some of your own will decrease what you spend at the store and by using organic methods you can also be sure your family is eating the healthiest food available. From your garden to the table is a short distance. Everything can be eaten ripe and fresh picked, unlike produce picked green and shipped hundreds or thousands of miles.

A few seeds, some organic fertilizer, water, sun, and human effort will bring an abundance of healthy food to your table with a taste surpassing anything you've ever eaten. Gardening can be an intimidating exercise for some. Don't be afraid, take the plunge, and ask for help if you aren't sure about something. Resources abound at libraries, County Extension offices,and on the internet.

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We sometimes think we need more food or a greater variety than what our budgets can afford. Consider the difference between what a family in Chad eats during a week when compared to the average American family. The family in Chad survives on a diet much like that shown in this picture.
Picture all the food items served in one week in your home. I'll wager the amount and variety are much bigger than what a family in Chad has available.

Count Blessings Not Irritations

We all know that high fructose corn syrup is not healthy even though it is an ingredient in most items on the grocers' shelves. Even some recipes, such as divinity, call for corn syrup. An easy way to eliminate that unhealthy ingredient is to substitute honey for corn syrup. The freezer jam recipe I use called for corn syrup so I substituted honey. It not only is healthier, the taste is better. Bees are a real blessing to us. The honey they produce is delicious and a healthy alternative to corn syrup and, in some case, sugar.

Children love to count. They count trees, flowers, clouds, just about anything and everything they see. They smile and laugh for the joy they feel is complete. We adults also do a lot of counting. However, ours is often the bills stacking up on the table, the irritations we feel at work, the times our spouse did not do what we wanted and other things that bring sadness instead of joy. I have learned to count my blessings rather than aggravations. Now, I'm not saying turning our inclination to count upside down is easy. Far from it. It takes patience and practice. Above all, practice. When a vehicle cuts you off in traffic, change your anger to one of joy that you were not involved in an accident. When I turn from counting irritations to joy, my blood pressure drops, a smile appears on my face, and my day is suddenly filled with contentment and happiness.

What do you count every day? If you count blessings your day is joy filled. If you count aggravations your day is one of anger and discontent. Each morning when you wake from your night of slumber, you choose what kind of day you will have. You can be happy or unhappy. You can be filled with joy or overwhelmed by sadness. No matter what life throws at you, your attitude, chosen every day, determines how you will feel. That chosen attitude also has much to do with your health. If you owned a blood pressure machine and took a reading after becoming angry or irritated, you would see a rise in your blood pressure. Change your attitude about what happened, take another reading, and watch the numbers fall.

This week I plan to view the world through the eyes of a child. I will watch the antics of the birds and squirrels with delight and pay no attention to dreary skies. When I eat a home baked cookie I will savor each bite. Sniffing the aroma of a pot of soup on the stove will remind me how blessed I am to have food to eat. What attitude will you have this week? Remember, each morning is a brand new beginning and your attitude that day is your choice.