Despite still fighting off my cold, I spent a bit more time in the garden today.  I planted some annuals in the color bowls I have out front (they'd been looking pretty bedraggled), planted a larger plant in one of my pots, trimmed, cleaned, weeded.

As I was planting the Mexican Heather, a paticular bee became enamored of the fresh pollen it presented.  He and I had quite a tussle over which of us had "rights" to the plant.  No stinging took place, but there were some aggressive aeronautics on the part of the bee.

I don't know what it is about gardening that blisses me out.  The only other times I've entered the state that I get to gardening are:

--after Yoga class.

--sitting on the lanai at Hale Honu watching the waves break, the sun set, the fish chase each other, whales drift by, swimmers swimming, snorkelers snorkeling, paddlers paddling.  (Essentially, just sitting on the lanai and letting whatever happens, happen.)

Perhaps its the combination of solitude, labor and nature.  I enjoy watching the birds, butterflies, bees and even the ants at work while I'm working.  The work forms its own rhythm but it also allows me to be very creative in my approach.  I flit from task to task (something that would drive my friend, Lynne, to distraction!) but it all gets done.  And at the end of the project, something has been planted, cleaned or tamed (and often all three).

Pretty damn rewarding time for me.

Of course, my back hurts a lot less after a session on the lanai.  But you can't have everything.

(Photo by dardilrocks on flickr.com)

Slow news day.  So, I'll catch you up on my goings-on instead of ranting.  In terms of golf, I had an average 9-hole round today at the Lake Forest Golf & Practice Center.  41 for 12 over par.  But, I am not discouraged because of two things.

1.  It's okay to be average.  Especially at something as challenging as golf.

2.  I had an amazing opening hole.  On the green in one, two feet from the pin.  Sunk the putt for a birdie. 

Gardening was on the agenda for most of the afternoon.  I weeded, pruned, scattered "Critter Ridder" and planted two gardenia bushes.  I'm wiped!  No writing today.  I'll catch up tomorrow and Saturday (even Sunday if I need to in order to hit my maximum goal of 10,000 words for the week).  The good news is that I'm already above my minimum goal of 5,000 words per week.  Plus I've written an article for the Start Small Start Now website and blogged.  Phew!

As to good friends, I enjoyed breakfast with Renee' after golf and we had a great discussion about family, faith and recovery.  So much fun to have a woman friend nearby with whom I can relax and chat. 

Another friend thrilled me when she hit the "big time."  Ms. Kelly Bozza, recently published author, was featured in Borders "Rewards Shortlist."  Kelly and her writing partner, Matthew Emerzian, wrote Every Monday Matters and are spearheading a movement that's connected with the concept of making a difference every week.  Check it out.

I think Kelly and Matthew are onto something.

That's the description of the slow excavation progress taking place on my desk these days.  I made some good headway today, cutting the stack of stuff in my in-box by about half.  That's progress!

I also hit the gym for an hour today, wrote 1300 words on the novel and finished the laundry.  Phew!  (Oh, and made a very interesting soup from the YOU on a Diet book.  Tomato based, spicy lentil.  Yum.)

Out from under is apparently also what needs to happen with the grubs living in my planters--according to research last night that's what the crows are after.  So later this week, I'll take a little jaunt to the hardware store, figure out how to get rid of non-jungle (I hope) grubs, thereby hoping to get rid of crows.

Although I appreciate the offer of Hal's dog, it's just not practical for a front yard crow infestation.

Saw an excellent interview with Fareed Zakaria on "A Daily Show" (which is, I guess, what they're calling it during the writer's strike) today.  If you get the Comedy channel, it's definitely worth tuning in to see Jon Stewart (even sans writers) during the silly season of Primary Politics.

Personally, I'm still leaning towards Edwards.  Me and 10% of the other registered, likely-to-vote, Dems in California.  But there's still a few weeks to go.  I probably won't vote until next Monday (mail-in ballots are THE way to go).  In the meantime, however, I would LOVE it if the proposition ads would stop!

They're more annoying than the crows!