March 12, 1998 -  Everything here is natural and free. If you could only see it now! The gardens are ablaze with hundreds and hundreds of flowers in bloom. It is a GLORY of color. The fruit trees are in blossom and my wild "pet" duck found a mate that is exactly like her. They, along with the wild geese are setting up 'housekeeping' to raise their young. This weekend I expect to receive the grape vines and raspberry plants and I hope to get them planted. This place is my sanctuary and I thank God everyday for giving it to me. In appreciation, I have dedicated the land to him, to serve his purpose. I intend to keep it as he intended.....as a living prayer.

March 13, 1998 - The chickens are fat and happy. Soon they will roost (sit and lay eggs for 30 days) and I will have baby chicks! We had hard frost last night and it got the magnolia tree. All the blooms turned from pink to brown. But the 600 daffodil bulbs, which I planted last month, are just starting to appear, so they should be o.k. When they all bloom I will take a picture of that! The peach trees in the orchard were in bloom, and the frost got some of the blooms, although most still look pink and healthy. It is only the first year they are in and I really wasn't expecting any fruit from the orchard this year, although I just may get a little. I wish I had more time to enjoy HeavenEarth. Unfortunately, my job (I had to work late two days this week) and the rental business (3 problems this week) consume all of my time. But every chance I get I try to plant at least one thing. This week I planted some English ivy on the sloping hill near the boat house. I also planted some spinach seeds (they like cold weather). My parsley is doing great and this week I made parsley, garlic and pasta for dinner. It was absolutely delicious!!!! The parsley and garlic were from my garden. My goal is to be able to provide almost all my food from my garden. I was thinking of growing rice (to replace the pasta, which has to be made). I have a good spot for it, a low land area which is always wet (rice needs to be in water). Sound good?? The more I read about what 'they' are doing to our food supply, the more I want to eat what I grow.

March 18, 1998 - Last Fall I planted about 300 bulbs and most of the crocuses have bloomed already. Some of the others have green tops and will bloom within the next several weeks. In total I have planted well over 1000 bulbs and I can't wait to see them all bloom. My very favorite flower is the Bearded German Iris (ruffled variety), and over the past four years I have planted (new ones, and subdivided older ones) over 40 of them.

May 6, 1998 - I love gardening! I think I got my share of sun today, since I spent most of the day gardening. I started 14 pots of basil, parsley, tomatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, beans, and coriander. If you like spaghetti and sauce as much as I do, I recommend that you grow your own basil and put it in your sauce with fresh garlic. I know a garden is hard work, but I think it is worth it. It provides healthy, outside exercise and fresh, pesticide free vegetables.

Earth brings us into life

and nourishes us.

Earth takes us back again.

Birth and death are present in every moment.

- Thich Nhat Hanh