It is in turbulent times like these that I really appreciate gardening as a hobby.... [View all]

I turn on the laptop to check news, browse DU - and it's like the neighbors or kids or whatever are yelling and screaming and throwing things - or a knock down, drag out family spat - it is depressing, it hurts the head....

Sure, it is escaping - but I just came in from spending 4 hours working with tiny little helpless seedlings, separating them from their crowded germination conditions into nice big (relatively, anyway) 3 inch pots. There is a gentle rain falling....finally, spring is in the air - it has that fresh smell. The cherry trees are blossoming - forsythia, daffodils, quince - just lovely. There's no sound except for birds singing - pileated woodpecker calling, then bluebirds, as they explore the boxes we put up for them....a carolina wren scolds me for "relocating" the nest that they built in an old basket on some corner top shelf in the garage (about half of my chard and lettuce seedlings were mysteriously missing...I caught the wrens red handed!).

We all choose our therapeutic hobbies....for me it's been gardening - for many years now, and many to come, I hope.

Peace, all!