I don't know if it's the tranquility of green and growing things or the calming trill of the many birds who find food and shelter there, but I am able to forget the stresses of daily life for a time.

     As an artist, the fodder for photography in the garden is an everchanging smorgasbord of flowers, shrubs and vegetables.  It is especially beautiful after a rain shower, when water beads glisten on the leaves and petals.  Take a moment to view the Nature photo gallery to get a sense of what I see there.  Every day the pallet of colors changes as the seasons come and go, and I never tire of watching the metamorphosis around me.

     It's been a crappy year for tomatoes, but a surprisingly good one for zucchini.  My squash plants have somehow managed to fend off the usual early death from vine borers and continue to produce perfect fruit.  Mint and basil perfume the air as I try to keep up with the ever-present crop of weeds that spring up wherever they see an opportunity.  Next year I plan to use more mulch to try to keep them at bay.