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A woman writer explores how she sees the world through her interactions with a newspaper photograph and her garden. She seeks order through her garden but recognizes the true value of the task is because the idea to create, replant or move the garden around is sparked by herself, making the maintenance tasks less trying. The woman keeps the photo, of a Rwandan woman picking up a baby that lies next to its mother, because it reminds her of the value in pictures and images that cannot be found in writing despite the woman's keeping of a journal.

He who plants a garden plants happiness. If you want to be happy for a lifetime, plant a garden.--Chinese Proverb March seems the perfect month to turn our faces toward [...]

Few studies have examined the potential value of nearby nature for elderly adults. In the current study, elderly residents of two apartment complexes were interviewed about the availability of and the importance of different nearby natural settings. They were also asked how involved they were with various 'nature compensations'--indoor activities, such as growing houseplants or watching nature programs on television, which might substitute for more strenuous outdoor activities. The results indicate that elderly adults consider access to nature near their homes to be very important. Nature compensations were frequently pursued but did not affect satisfactions. Satisfaction levels were significantly higher among residents whose apartments overlooked natural settings, and among those who lived closer to certain kinds of outdoor settings., Although there is a great deal of literature on the environment of the elderly and how it affects their well-being, little attention has been paid to the importance of the natural environment. What literature exists is limited to the aesthetics of the neighborhood, or else the environment is defined very narrowly. The elderly spend a great deal of time at home; therefore, the area surrounding their homes is very important to them. A total of 48 residents of housing for the elderly were interviewed, 22 lived in a high-rise building with common sunrooms, located in a commercial area, and 26 lived in a low-rise building with balconies and patios, a pond, a fountain, large lawns with benches and paths, bordered by fields and woodlands. The results showed that nature was very important to these residents, especially nearby flower gardens and places to relax. The importance ratings for the questions on the general importance of nature, such as having a yard or balcony, or having a good place for walks, were significantly higher for those living in the low-rise building. The nature contacts and the availability of natural settings affected the subjects' ratings of residential and life satisfaction. The residents of the low-rise building expressed more satisfaction with their housing, and their window views were found to be important. In practice, site landscaping is often given little attention, and balconies are often considered too costly, even though the latter were found in a national survey to be associated with higher levels of morale. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

The joys and pleasures of working in the soil and reaping the harvest are discussed. Gardening the best way to shine the world, to bring the pleasure, satisfaction, nutrition and promising have better tomorrow is highlighted.

The author describes his lifelong interest in gardening, which he maintained at all the varied properties where he lived. He believes this impulse has declined and is pleased to not have to battle with natural forces to produce food he can more easily and cheaply purchase.