Having grown up in an apartment, I did not get to experience the joys of planting, although both of my parents knew how. Daddy had a great knowledge of vegetables and Mama, flowers.  And so I have been trying my hand (or green thumb) at both in the eight years since I have been married and lucky enough to own a home.  It took me until a couple of months ago to muster the courage to try planting an organic, raised bed for tomatoes, basil and onions.  We had a little ceremony and all planted them as a family.  Frankly I had no hope of anything really appearing despite my research on sun and planting positions, regions, time of year, and companion plants.  The other day Burk came in and excitedly announced we had our first tomato.  “What?” I said in disbelief.  “Mommy let’s go see!”  Lo and behold, in all its glory was a tiny, orange tomato about the size of a quarter.  But it was perfect — and we grew it!  I am embarrassed to be so far removed from how food is cultivated and I want our daughter to learn along with us.  I reached up to touch the little thing and it plopped to the ground.  But she seems to have some bigger cousins coming in that are still green.  And so we wait and watch with hope and wonder to see what the fruits of our small labor will yield.  I found this quote by the English poet Alfred Austin which I really liked:

“The glory of gardening:  hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature.  To nurture a garden is to feed not just on the body, but the soul.”