Dear Friends,

Last spring, I found a small plant sprouting from the flower bed on the side of the house. I had no idea what it was or where it came from, but I kept an eye on it over the next few months. Even though I never once watered it and the rest of our lawn dried out in the hot summer sun, the plant grew. It wanted to live.

There is hope in a garden, even that unsuspecting patch of dirt surrounding our house.

I used to have a brown thumb. African violets, orchids, and potted herbs all wilted under my care. No plant stood a chance. But then I discovered succulents, and I learned that they had simple needs I could meet. One succulent became three, three became five, and now our porch is lined with a dozen happy plants. They are thriving.

After conquering succulents, I introduced a couple of low-light loving plants into our home. I perched them on the piano beside the front window, and they seemed to like their new spots. As long as I remember to water and mist them weekly, they continue to stretch and lengthen in their pretty pots.

So when Rama told me a few weeks ago that he wanted to start a vegetable garden in our back yard, of course I said yes. Yes, let’s try something new. Yes, let’s plant tomatoes and cucumbers and peppers. Yes, let’s dig our hands into the soil and see what blooms.

Every evening when Rama returns from work, he walks out to the garden, inspecting each leaf, showering the plants with water. Some plants are struggling, to be honest, and I don’t know if they’ll all make it to summer. But I am holding on to hope. I’m not giving up, yet.

xo Christine

Good Things

• Spring is springing, and I am rediscovering shades of pink I forgot existed

• A cross breeze passing through our house

• Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens made my heart ache in the good way

• Nearby friends who lend a shovel at a moment’s notice

• Finishing taxes in the nick of time (and a state refund)

• Bub & Grandma’s Italian sub satisfies my craving for a Bay Cities godmother

• Jack Black’s infectious energy and joy

• Restocking pretty paper clip and tiny staples

• First DIY ped of the season

• A bowl of cuties

Good Poem

Today
by Billy Collins

If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze

that it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the house

and unlatch the door to the canary's cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,

a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peonies

seemed so etched in sunlight
that you felt like taking

a hammer to the glass paperweight
on the living room end table,

releasing the inhabitants
from their snow-covered cottage

so they could walk out,
holding hands and squinting

into this larger dome of blue and white,
well, today is just that kind of day.

Good Quote

Good Deed of the Day

Ask someone how they’re doing and really listen to their answer.