I have a lot of dirt under my fingernails these days. This happens every spring, once the winter darkness gives way to the longer days, and the garden begins to awaken. My wife and I spend lot of time in the spring getting the garden beds ready. We weed, trim, spread compost, mulch, and make sure the irrigation is ready for the coming heat.

My father lived on a lake.Before he built his house near the lake shore, the wooded lot was a favorite picnic and party spot for trespassing revelers.It had a nice little beach for swimming and its location offered good views of the lake.