Dear Reader Column 05-26-06

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Dear Reader,

Today is my birthday. I had big party plans, but I couldn't get anyone else to RSVP that they would attend. Family members were willing to bake a cake, buy a card, pick out a nice present, and take me out to dinner. But what I really wanted was a birthday celebration in my flower gardens.

My birthday party activities involved driving to the nursery, buying mulch, fertilizer, 10 flats of yellow daisies and 8 flats of red geraniums. Then, we'd dig in--to the yard. I was even willing to supply party favors for my guests--everyone gets a new pair of gardening gloves, a sun hat and a bottle of water, so they don't get dehydrated. (It's kind of warm here this time of year.) But so far, it's a party for one--just the birthday girl.

There are seven flower gardens in my yard and I do all of the work myself: pruning, planting, pulling weeds, fertilizing, and keeping the bugs and scales under control. It's a year-round project because I live in Florida. I love the work, don't misunderstand, but sometimes, especially in the summer when things grow like crazy, it can be a bit overwhelming. Where does a gardening girl begin?

Well this gardening girl always begins with a few nice compliments from strangers passing by. I live in an older neighborhood and there's always a steady stream of walkers and joggers on the sidewalk in front of my house.

"I love your flower gardens," they call out to me. "It's always a treat to walk down your street. Your flowers are beautiful, just beautiful."

And that's all it takes to motivate me. Yank those weeds, plant some new daisies--I can't let my flower admirers down.

My family isn't helping me in my flower gardens today, but they did provide me with some motivation...and some unexpected party guests. To see what I got for my birthday, go to:

http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/party.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected] 
http://www.DearReader.com

P.S. I'm going on vacation in July. Can you help me out? Enter the Write a Dear Reader Contest. You don't have to be a writer, just tell me story and you might win 24 signed books from authors, a Penguin Classic and a book bag. For more information go to: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/master2/mweb/path7-5.html

READ THE CLASSICS: The Adventures of Augie March, by Saul Bellow, and enter the free Penguin Classic's Drawing: http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/path_go.cfm?x=815&site=18

Comments

[Nancy]

Happy Belated Birthday, Suzanne! I clicked on a link in your newsletter to check out the contest and found you deep in your flower beds. :)

I have my husband planting my flowers as we speak. I'm carpal tunneled out, so have to settle for what he thinks is enough sweat. LOL I bet your gardens are beautiful!