Exploring the Garden's Wonders

Hey there! Take a moment to step away from your busy life and join me in the enchanting Lizard's garden!

I know you're swamped with deadlines and eager to finish your next article. However, even a brief five-minute escape to the garden can rejuvenate your spirit, ease your mind, and remind you how miraculous each day can be! Here are some reflections from my recent strolls in the garden:

1. The astonishing diversity and intricate details of every plant and creature leave me in awe. Is there a divine workshop painting the vibrant hues of artichokes, passionflowers, and milkweed blooms? If I ever find myself in paradise, I hope to visit that flower painting workshop!

2. I've imagined forming a bond with a small black lizard that basks in the sun on a particular staircase every warm afternoon. While I appreciate all the lizards in the garden, I believe this little guy recognizes me and ponders the activities of us taller beings in his domain.

   

3. I am reminded that by planting something, each of us contributes to the planet's health and shapes a better future; it only takes five minutes – we can do this!

4. The vital roles of plants in supporting insects and birds are evident; earthworms aerate the soil, bees pollinate flowers, nematodes feast on grubs, and hummingbirds help flowers thrive. I’m still pondering the role of mosquitoes, though I know bats appreciate them. Cheers to the bat community!

   

5. The breathtaking beauty of butterflies in early spring captivates me!

6. The joy of releasing a group of "ladybugs" purchased from the local garden shop brings delight!

7. I relish the unparalleled songs of birds on sunny afternoons!

8. We recently harvested glorious potatoes to share with friends and neighbors.

9. Last night, we enjoyed the crisp, earthy flavor of our first green pepper in a salad!

10. We eagerly anticipate the sweet, colorful tomatoes we expect to harvest in about six weeks.

11. I wrestle with my feelings towards the snails that sneak in at night to devour our basil leaves. Since we maintain a pollinator-friendly garden, we avoid using snail bait. However, these crafty mollusks cleverly exploit our concern for pollinators.

12. I find joy in wandering the garden with friends during the afternoon.

13. I also appreciate the quiet moments spent alone, listening and observing. As George Bernard Shaw once said, "The best place to find God is in a garden. You can dig for him there."
14. The intoxicating scents of lavender and alyssum fill the air. Do flower fragrances enchant the bees as they do me? Perhaps bees have a professional code against intoxication to ensure they gather honey efficiently. Or maybe they indulge in the floral elixirs that fuel their work!
15. Excitement builds as we anticipate blueberries from the bushes outside the kitchen and mulberries from the trees at the garden's edge in just a week! These berries are so delicious that we often find ourselves feasting right next to the bushes. I wonder if bears feel this way when they discover an apple or berry-laden tree.
16. I'm also grappling with the presence of tomato hornworms that threaten our tomatoes. We refrain from using pesticides, opting instead to plant marigolds and borage among the tomatoes, hoping to deter these pests. But who knows if the Society of Tomato Hornworms orchestrated the advice online to trick us into planting these flowers and leaving them unchallenged?
17. The delightful warmth of spring temperatures invigorates us!
18. The earthy aroma of freshly turned soil and newly planted herbs is uplifting!

19. Red-shouldered hawks soar above, keenly observing everything below. Their distinctive calls often make me ponder why they alert others if they're on the hunt. Perhaps they’re just sharing a laugh with fellow hawks about their existence and the plight of earthbound creatures.
20. As writer Jackie French wisely noted, "No single sort of garden suits everyone. Shut your eyes and dream of the garden you'd most love, then open your eyes and start planting. Loved gardens flourish, boring ones are hard work."

Did you take a moment to envision your ideal garden stroll? Did you picture the bees buzzing around the lavender and hear the gentle sound of flowing water from a nearby fountain? You are always welcome to return and explore whenever you wish.

Thanks to Jim Horacek, our friend and neighbor, for over a decade of garden wisdom, inspiration, and guidance.

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