Do you sometimes think you must be about the only one thinking about certain things? Is it right or wrong to feel this way? What do you do about it? You may have rightly guessed that these statements were made in view of our current world situation which covers a whole mountain of issues. I keep thinking that if everyone stayed with telling the truth we would be in a much, much better place in our daily lives. Wouldn’t it be amazing to know that the things you hear on all types social media, the words you hear from all the political people, and information in general, were words of truth? Humans do not have a track record to show that there is any possibility of this happening and in fact life is getting more and more messed up. The 2020 election, past and current government leadership and Covid 19 have been and continue to be hot fire events.

I was very surprised to see the Saturday issue of the Minneapolis Star Tribune had a front page article on “Spring Cleaning For Your Mouth”. If you have a chance to see that issue, it is very worthwhile to read the whole article. It’s about a 30 day challenge called “Clean Speech Minnesota”. It is spear headed by the Minneapolis Jewish Federation and 30 other local Jewish organizations, but it’s also in other cities and countries. It is stated that the goal is to focus on mindful speech for the betterment of humankind and to respect each other’s differences. The Jewish know it as “Shmirat Halashon”. Their hope is to find common ground to interact with civility instead of hostility. This starts at the roots with ALL our families and hopefully works it way to those in high places. I was pleased to read this article as it has a way of putting so many of my thoughts together and I see that many others are feeling troubled by the way our lives are headed. I thank the writer, Julie Kendrick, for helping me express my feelings. Maybe this would be a good follow up to Lent? Maybe, could Emily’s Bakery do some special treats after this 30 day event?

The cleaning and organizing hormones are still on the slow side but the gardening hormones are showing promise. Husband Larry has been updating me on the progress of my fall plantings of all the spring bulbs that I put down right after our first big snow storm. It gives him something to do when he gets his daily newspaper from the mail box at the end of the drive way. Of course, I have visions of it looking like Martha Stewart put them in place but we will see how good the frozen fingers placing them in the ice cold earth worked out.

I have retired from starting thousands of tomato plants, but it was fun to do a very, very small amount of tomatoes and peppers for Neighbors Rose and Tony. Ah, the good old days. I really look back and wonder how I did it. I did 120 different tomato varieties, about 20 different eggplant and many kinds of hot and sweet peppers plus many more flowers, etc. at my peak of crazy garden starting times. It really did keep me off the streets once I got the potting soil and other necessary things ready for use. Many happy days were spent in my greenhouse transplanting and talking to all of “my babies”. They also got to listen to classical music to help them start off a grand life.

I was lamenting the fact that my Hot Chocolate Bomb production may have to take a break until the fall season as cold drinks will be taking over the show time. I did come across something that may keep me running with the big dogs and that is Gelatin Art. Starter kits are available on Amazon and a few books have been written on the subject. This is a few steps up from the days of Cabbage Jello salad with Miracle Whip made in the Tupperware green mold. That also may see its day again!