Monthly Archives: April 2006

Dear Mom -

Yesterday I was made aware that wishes grew in my yard. My daughter Daryn explained to me over breakfast that she had to go outside to get a wish from the garden. Unsure of what she meant, grabbed my cup of tea and followed her outside. I found her squatting over several plants where she pulled her wish from the ground, closed her eyes as tight as she could, and blew all of the fuzz from the flower.

All I saw was a weed. What she saw was a wish. What I saw was ordinary. What she saw was magic. She is so incredible. I wish you could be here.

Love Susan

I need more dirt. It just seems crazy that one should have to pay for it. I am new at this whole gardening thing and it seems like a lot of dirt has eroded from my yard. Where does one acquire it? Do I have to buy it in bags and haul it myself? Surely I am smart enough to figure this out. Probably the first thing I should do is say ‘soil’ instead instead of ‘dirt’. That’s what real gardeners call it.

We spent more time in the garden yesterday – my daughter planting more flowers in her little patch of earth and me transplanting herb seedlings to their final growing place (until they are used for making wonderful end-of-summer dishes).

After we were done, she started digging hole in another part of the yard. She asked me what would happen if she kept digging. I said, “you will get to China – so when you begin smelling chinese food, let me know.”

Being that she is 7, she took this to heart, went in the house and got her jacket. When I asked her why, she said it might be cold there. I caught her later on poking her head in the hole to see if she had made any progress.

I wish I was 7.

It’s April 11th. I woke up this morning to my daughter’s smile in my face. She was asking me for a hug. We spent much of the day yesterday planting. I gave her a space in the back yard to make a garden. She picked out assorted plants and we prepared the earth together. She is SO proud of her space!

I spent the afternoon planting assorted herbs in clay pots. Basil, Oregano, Sage, Peppermint, Rosemary and Lavendar. I am hoping that my rosemary and lavendar grow strong so that I can plant them outside the front door. This way we can smell the fragrance as we enter and exit the house.

I love lavendar.

I am feeling better today – I don’t feel like as much of a prisoner. I think these past few days off of work have helped. I have also steered clear of the TV, ate mostly fresh fruits and vegetables AND I have given up my daily glass of wine. I also finished my book and have begun reading the second – AND I have been gardening and listening to beautiful music. I will try to do the same today.

Maybe I am on to something…