The Best is Yet To Be

I was out yesterday...working in the cooler weather. Mother Nature had given me a respite from the hot days. I walked around the west side of the house, taking pictures as I went. I wanted to save these views for winter time, when I will be cooped up in the house. I tend to always look ahead in my thinking. Why do I do this? Why can't I just enjoy today? I've always lived by the philosophy that what you do today determines where you will be tomorrow.  

 That philosophy can be put to things other than gardening. Those who save for retirement ahead of time....have a better retirement with fewer worries. If a person takes care of his cars, lawn mowers, etc...they last longer. Planning ahead is also good for gardeners. As I sat on my chair and did some weeding, I thought about the coming season. It isn't that I don't appreciate today, I just have that look ahead mindset.

 Some of my gardens need thinning out...so that there is room to spread next year. A little space around plants will give them room to breathe...the smaller ones won't be gobbled up by the thugs.I checked my new climbing rose bushes and tied them for support. Doing this ahead of time will protect them if a storm comes and might flatten them to the ground.  I put supports around my cone flowers early in the year...to help them grow straight and tall and not flop over in the wind. 

 I looked beyond my chair to the woods. I do a lot of thinking ahead in this area. I like to keep the birdhouses on the posts painted a pale aqua blue...so that they are protected from the weather. I'll do that this week. The man who mows, is having a tough time going around my red bud tree. I'll have to trim the lower branches to make it easier for him. I've been planning to add some things to the woods for color. Digging a hole for a small tree...is easier done now when the ground is softer. I looked ahead at the weather report...wanting to wait till it rains to dig. 

 I ordered a few things ahead for the garden in the woods. Things that will be delivered in Sept. have been ordered. I'm on a list at a nursery to tell me when some plants that I want will be able to be ordered again. Looking ahead.

 I was using my garden loppers for some trimming jobs and thought of how I take care of my garden tools. I used to watch Martha Stewart years ago, and every fall she showed how to sharpen the tools and to put them in sand to keep them sharp. A good idea. I always straighten up my tools at the end of the season...to have them ready for next year.

 I guess that if  you put your mind to it....many of us are "look ahead" gardeners. Do you look at the weather forecast and see what the next week will bring? Do you plant seeds in the spring for blooms later on? Do you fill the bird feeders so that tomorrow birds will come? Do you plant a rose to see a new bud form? I love to look ahead...it means that maybe I'll be here tomorrow to enjoy it.

 Here is a quote that I love..

."The best is yet to be."

-  Robert Browning 

Well, it's 9:30 am and here I sit. Looking ahead to a beautiful day.

Balisha