What makes you happy?
What makes you happy?
That's the topic of my op-ed column in The Baltimore Sun.
In the column, I mention that gardening -- full-contact gardening that produces an honest sweat -- makes me happy.
There are some other things about gardening that make me happy....
The miracle of spring, and the emergence of plants you were sure were dead. And the appearance of plants you completely forgot about, and of the half-price sticks you bought in late September at the garden center.
Harvesting compost makes me happy. Sounds gross, but the miracle of all those kitchen scraps and leaves turning into rich, black dirt always amazes me.
(Keep reading, there's a prize at the end!)
And finally, the glass of wine and the hot tub at the end of a day of gardening. That makes me really happy...
Garden Variety readers, what makes you happy?
There are prizes available to those who comment, too! Now that's GOTTA make you happy.
Comments
I have to say that the smell of gardening makes me happy. All of the smells -dirt, flowers, tomatoes and of course, herbs.
I agree Kerry. The garden smells cold and muddy in April, but dry and dusty in August. GV readers, check out Kerry's container gardening blog on About.com. http://www.containergardening.about.com --Susan
Posted by: Kerry | January 4, 2010 12:04 PM
Reading Garden Variety! And the numerous other garden sites I have discovered these last few days because it has been too cold to go outside to tackle the NEXT garden projects! But, I am happy to have the time to read and plan for my next gardening day as soon as the weather breaks! This is what January is for.
Oh Michele! Garden Variety is blushing!
Posted by: Michele | January 4, 2010 1:00 PM
Planning and planting make me happy! The anticipation, the shopping, the plotting of where to plant the new aquirement, those are the most enjoyable parts of gardening to me. Needless to say, I am a collector!
Posted by: Donna | January 4, 2010 8:23 PM
The promise that cold grayness will not last forever!
It just seems like it will, Eve.--Susan
Posted by: Eve | January 5, 2010 9:19 AM
What makes me happy? The garden with its many wonderful and creative possibilities. Planting a young shrub or flower and watching it thrive and become more beautiful year after year. Observing the wildlife find food and shelter. Few things give me more pleasure and happiness than the creative possiblies that await in the garden.
You are so right, Mary. -- Susan
Posted by: Mary | January 5, 2010 9:41 AM
I know it sounds crazy, but I really like the way the soil feels in my bare hands. It's so alive.
My neighbor, Bob, says it grounds him, literally, I guess, to put his hands in the dirt after a day in an office. -- Susan
Posted by: Reggie | January 5, 2010 11:31 AM
My acupuncturist says there is something physically beneficial about playing in the dirt. I believe her!
I am not sure there is anybody who would say it was a bad idea. Except maybe mothers, on Easter Sunday.--Susan
Posted by: Dahlink | January 5, 2010 4:26 PM
Thank you for your article on "Happiness". I had no idea that there is a happiness project, nor that book is to be published about happiness! Did you read The Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2010 article by Carol Graham of the Brookings Institute? Susan Morrison
Nope. Didn't. Will it make me happy if I read it? (JK) Thanks for dropping by, Susan.
Posted by: Susan Morrison | January 6, 2010 1:00 PM