I was a “late bloomer” to gardening, only getting into it after I turned fifty, because I was busy raising a family, moving around the U.S. and well, keeping up with my responsibilities. I should have known it was in my blood. My mother was a gardener. My brothers and sisters are gardeners; so it only stood to reason I would eventually fall in love with gardening as well.

There is nothing that clears the head better than digging in the soil. While working away among the blooms, the oxygen starts flowing, my head clears and all the worries and cares of the day seem to slip away. Whatever is worrying me seems to fade into the earth, leaving me feeling relieved and alive.

When I’ve finally feel purged, I sit under my pine trees to relax and take in the day. My pine trees gently moving in the breeze, full of birds. This time of year it is the little black birds, mockingbirds and hummers that come a callin’. Gardening is the best medicine and if you are a gardener you know that. If you do not garden take my word for it. Oh, and did I mention that it’s a good workout, too?

Gardening means you do not have to waste time, energy or gas driving going to the gym. You can save money on clothes because unlike gyms that require a certain kind of “work out” clothing, I can just grab whatever I want and head out to the garden. Well okay, I require a great pair of gloves and a good sun hat. Both are used and soiled from use. I have no one to impress except that row of flowers that couldn’t care less.