Getting Back into a Routine - 8/06/2026
Today, I spent nearly two and a half hours in my flower beds, taking advantage of the covered sun and light rain. I pulled tons of weeds, laid down some garden fabric to cover unwanted growth, spread a few buckets of mulch, and transplanted a group of small hostas. Putting off prevention work in the spring sure causes me a lot of work later on in the year due to fast and invasive summer growth. I wish I would remember that. Below are some photos from this evening, showcasing my work in the flower beds and the beautiful sunset-kissed sky!
Last of the Winter Season - 2/13/2026
The 2026 winter season is drawing to a close as the snow starts to melt. Thankfully, I was able to go enjoy it for awhile on Sunday, the 8th. I spend my Sundays at my grandma's house. Below are some photos I took while enjoying the snow to its fullest, except making a snowman. The snow was too soft and too hard at the same time to be able to clump a few snowballs.
The Winter Season - 12/27/2025
I have a tough time deciding which season is my favorite, but I can't deny the beauty of the winter snow.
I grew up in the Midwest, so I see snow often.
The below attached images are from the areas I lived at and visit.
The first image is the house I lived in when I was a baby. We moved out when I was two years old. The second image is of my
grandma's yard earlier in November. I take pictures of this spot throughout the year, so it's nice to compare how it looks throughout the year. The third
image was taken this year as we left my parents' house for the evening. It was snowing, so we went home before the snow began to fall even more.
My Introduction to Gardening
My interest in gardening started at the start of the Covid lockdown in 2020. I had just moved back to my parents' after being moved to remote classes at
the college I was going to. It was at home where I picked up my interest in gardening. For a lot of people, this lockdown slowed down lives extremely and allowed
more room to spend time to oneself. For me, that time opened my mind to the environment and just how beautiful it was. It was that spring of 2020 where I discovered how
beautiful German Bearded Irises were. I found them fascinating.
I began asking my mom questions about gardening, how it worked, what the process was, and from there, I began my own research into flowers. I was more of a floral
gardener. I revamped my mom's flower bed into something larger, creating a layout of all the plants in it. I began to help care for it all. I helped clear the woods some,
creating more openness to the woods for easier access. I felt extremely happy.
Then I moved out into my own apartment for the first time. Naturally, my days in the gardens began to fall. Then I began working more hours at my job while going back to in-person
classes at the new university I had transferred to. Then I gained more and more responsibilties, found a girlfriend, and began dedicating more time at my own home instead.
It took a couple years, but I feel I have found a better balance of life to allow me more time outside again. I feel down at times knowing I don't garden as much as I used to, and
I feel like I have lost the green thumb I once had.
I have a task of getting my flower beds in shape for my sister's open house this spring, and I will see it done. I recently achieved my dreams of laying bricks in the flower beds,
creating a space for people to sit within that sacred space. I promise to take better care of it this Spring.