I have spread all the mulch. Today I can rest. Thank heavens.

I’ve spent the past 3.5 days almost fully outdoors, shoveling, carting, and spreading 1.5 tons (12 cubic yards) of shredded tree bark across all the flower beds. I took breaks to move plants around, eat lunch, go to the nursery to buy new plants, stand panting to observe my work, and talk to my mom and dad on the phone. I just need to spread weed and feed on the lawn this morning while the dew dampens the grass, and then I’ll really truly be done. Well, done until May when I will be back in town and can go plant shopping, which I am very excited about. Sabbatical is the best!

It should be warm enough to eat my lunch outside in the sun today. I’m eager to sit on the deck and admire the plants I put in yesterday, especially the bleeding hearts which are just a marvel. Sometimes I look at things in nature, like a flower shaped like a heart, or the brilliance of the peacock, and my mind is blown. How did these things happen? How many mutations over how many millions of years? Why this? It’s staggering to think about. Incomprehensible. I feel awe that in my lap right now is a purring animal that’s not going to kill me, that posing around a resort in Punta Cana are iridescent birds with tail feathers that spread like a fan and are covered in eyes and rattle a rhythm as the peacock struts its dance, that in my garden is a plant with pink heart-shaped flowers.

As I eat my lunch and gaze out at the freshly mulched beds, my mind will race about what plants to put in when I return from a few upcoming adventures. There are a lot of empty patches to fill. I’m going to need to be careful with my budget.

Photos from the garden