"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace." -Mary Sarton

I have started a vegetable garden. Well, vegetable garden is a bit of an overstatement: I have started digging up a chunk of my yard with the intention of planting a vegetable garden. It is slow going to say the least, but an excellent workout since it is all being done by hand. A few months ago I went on a seed buying spree--as soon as they appeared in stores--and I have been eagerly anticipating getting them in the ground. Mostly lettuces and hardy vegetables-including onion and red potato sets-that can withstand a bit of cold.

Here in southern Ohio, as with much of the country, we had an unusually mild winter and early spring. However, if you talk to old timers,  they will warn: "Dont plant til Mother's Day...cause you just never know." It would appear that they are right and that global warming is a finicky mistress. First is was a mild winter, and then an exceptionally warm February/March, now it's cold and rainy in April. Hopefully May will bring with is more sunshine and more heat....just in time for Mother's Day.