Monday Musings

Today I am thinking about seeds. As a gardener, vegetables begin as simple seeds. As an author, writing ideas begin as kernels and either blossom into successful work or fail to grow into a completed piece. In both instances, one must have the foresight to recognize what is within the seed. Just as a gardener plans her plot, an author sees not only the night sky but a vision beyond. [above poem published on Cold Moon Journal 5/26/23] But for either, the hard work must be done. The gardener tills the soil and plants the seeds, waters, and weeds. An author must be ever alert for inspiration, jot thoughts in an omnipresent pocket notebook, and sit for hours and days on end, writing on paper or inputting line after line in a word processing program. This summer has been incredibly hot and dry. Despite nurture and watering, some plants have failed to thrive, other hardier specimens are prolific producers. Despite buzzing bees, neither my zucchini nor squash have fruited. As an author, I mus...

This moment like every moment, is precious. Take a minute to stop and revel in the wonder. Are you at work, struggling to succeed? What do you really want; is it worth being away from your family and friends for innumerable hours? Is your goal possessions or happiness? Psychologists have examined the various facets that determine happiness. This  Brittanica link  describes their findings. True happiness comes from within. I have been writing and submitting to poetry/haiku journals like mad for the last few weeks. Already acceptance notes are pinging into my email inbox (as are rejections), but as some wise person recently said, “if you don’t get at least 100 rejections a year, you are not writing and submitting enough work.” Good news, more poems are on the way! I spent a few hours in the garden today; my vegetable garden is planted, and I can change my focus to perennial flowers. Time to head to my favorite garden center. Our small patch of land brings me great joy. What deli...

My gardening has been on a hiatus due to health issues last fall that extended into early spring. I am back on my feet and eager to return to vegetable and perennial gardening. But first, I had to do much overdue fall garden cleanup: raking leaves, picking up downed branches, and pruning overgrown perennials.  The front porch is tidy and welcoming for humans and birds alike, with bird and hummingbird feeders, and hanging flower baskets. All three Clematis are in full bloom, Jackmanii the most prolific. A bright pink and light purple vine are recent additions that gradually fill their trellises. At the Clematis feet, a small birdbath provides water for wildlife, and Cannas leaves are beginning to emerge. In the orchard behind the carport, the hardy Rosa Rugosa and its clove scent welcome pollinating insects. Three Lavender shrubs are leafed and budded, and the bees are buzzing in anticipation. Perennial herbs are doing well: chives, oregano, dill, and borage. The asparagus is in its...

We enjoy the music and plumage of birds on our front porch. The “pretty, pretty, pretty” of the scarlet cardinal, the song of the vibrant yellow finches, and the brilliant indigo buntings. Sparrows, chickadees, nuthatches, and doves join in harmonious tones and a hummingbird whirrs around our heads.  Then there is nature’s darker side: the ominous black cone tells of the ongoing battle with our nemesis, the squirrel. Below, the citronella plant gracing the table helps fend off blood-sucking mosquitos. Across the driveway, deer graze on the periphery of my elevated raised vegetable garden beds. Outside the dog yard, rocks outline a new garden bed. Hours of labor, a bird bath gifted by a neighbor, and sixteen new plants added to the existing infrastructure and greenery.  I wanted to share the photos before the deer and rabbits devour the flowers. The nursery claims my choices will not interest the nibblers; I’ve heard that story before. My wife set up her trail cam aimed at the ...

Since the first rumors, in December 2019, of a deadly disease spreading like wildfire in China, we’ve avoided infection. We stayed in social isolation for much of 2020, obtained both doses of the Moderna vaccine in early 2021, and even got boosted! We religiously wore masks during the high contagion periods. Now, we only don our muzzles when required, i.e., at medical appointments. Slowly we have increased interpersonal contact with neighbors, friends, and family. At first with outdoor visits, then with small groups of vaccinated individuals.  Last week we met with a local coffee klatch of nine ladies. Two days later, one was ill, and now four are COVID positive; of the remaining gals, one had a prior recent infection, three are negative, and one is an unknown status. Two of the positive attended another gathering before they knew they were ill. The further spread in our tiny mountain community is yet to be decided. My wife is one of the COVID-positive individuals, plagued with all...

This year, the first day of Spring is on Sunday, March 20th, just three weeks away. I’ve been getting garden fever: perusing seed catalogs and requisitioning supplies. FedEx and UPS have already made several trips up our long switchback mountain road with boxes of seed starting pots, seedling trays, and propagation domes [from  Johnny’s Selected Seeds ]. Last night I ordered a 2'x12' raised bed with an irrigation grid [from  Garden in Minutes ]. I’m adding another garden space, this one in an area with solely morning sun, for lettuce and spinach. Our southern sun has burnt out my greens in prior years. Tomorrow, I’ll make a pilgrimage to  Tractor Supply  for seed starting potting mix, and the components of my raised bed fill, compost, peat moss and vermiculite (recipe = 1/3 each): the first of several loads for my Jeep. Soon the dirt therapy will begin. Are you making your garden preparations? You can follow the Author at her  Website  or on  Twitter ....

It’s been a productive but hectic year. Many haiku accepted, the publication of my second poetry book, and the completion of the first draft of my post apocalyptic novel. While I await notes from my fiction Beta readers, it’s time to take a little time to recharge my creative batteries. And what better place to renew my imagination than between the covers of books. Every good author is an avid reader. Time for me. Reading and doing a fall garden cleanup. How do you recharge? Follow the Author on Twitter @JoanHuffmanMD Visit my website at https://jlhuffman.com