Wow, CMK, the thought police are out in full force tonight on the GW. I tried to post a reply, but they did not like it.
We don't need to make everyone happy with every comment, or so I've been told. Every time you put your little feelings or thoughts out there, someone may come, with big boots, and stomp on them. Doesn't mean either is right, or for that matter wrong, it just is.

There are 3 threads OT that should be conversations. No stop, don't move anything, I'm just saying.

So, let's have some happy thoughts, God forbid, even some non-PC happy thoughts, you know, like my c@@ppy neighbour got arrested.

And CMK - I like it all, and I'm sorry if I hijacked your thread, but enough with the PC!!! Can we please get along, with meaningful interaction???!!!!

Cheers, Nancy.

1. I like the promise. The promise stored inside a tiny seed. The promise of a new plant from a "dead" twig stuck in dirt in the middle of winter.

2. I like that my garden is mine. No one else designed it, even if there are plants left from a previous life. But the finished product will be all mine.

3. Gottagarden: I love her color combinations and textures (red bed anyone?). Frogview: I love the sheer volume of plants. Foxesearth: I love the twig structure and your climate. lvtgrdn: I love that something you saw in an alley encouraged you to find more ansomnias. Wonbyherwitz: I love that you're able to adapt your gardens in spite of all the deer, rabbits, and critters.

I hate to leave anyone out, but these were the 4 that popped into my head first. There was no way I could name just one.

Should we sing? ;)

Libby

Before we sing, let's wrestle!

Here is a link that might be useful: Wrestling Match between Friends

I don't know Nell, That cat doesn't seem to be "friends" yet. LOL

What makes me happy in general: June, July and half of August!

What makes me happy about my garden is that I grew 99% of it from seed.

I have seen so many wonderful gardens here that there is no way that I can pick just one.

There are so many things in general that make me happy I couldn't pick just one; I know how very lucky I am. Garden related happiness is enjoying beautiful flowers, especially the old fashioned, wonderfully scented lilac I "rescued" and rooted from the old plant on my great-grandparents farm. In others' gardens I admire the gorgeous combinations of plants with beds which are just bursting with flowers and which are so well planned and complimentary to one another. Thanks for the positive thoughts CMK!

I have lots of reasons to be happy - first is my loving husband and fantastic kids. And room for all my gardens.

I like the variety and combinations in my own garden. I am forever moving things so they will have complementary neighbors.

I like so many gardens here on the forums. Nell's always have a heartfelt simplicity, Libby's have joyous songs of color, Cameron's have elegant, sophisticated style. And so many more. Locally I admire Mulchy's garden paradise and many I admire from the road as I drive by.

Token, thanks for the kind words!

I am happy that today is mine, mine, and I can plant to my heart's content. I am thankful for our mild winters, even though we have hot summers. I am glad Okra and Peppers love it HOT!

I am pleased with my mate, who helps me in whatever I try to do, and is always my anchor and cheerleader rolled into one.

I am THRILLED that I have a gardenia BLOOMING, and many more buds on it! I am going to take pictures this morning...

I am happy with this angel who fell, and happy that we could repair her and give her a place in our garden.

Janie

Here is a link that might be useful: My Fallen Angel

Kumbaya...

1. My cat- only when she's not precisely timing the mad 'swoops' of a hummingbird whose territory she's entered and knocking it out of the air like King Kong. Stupid cat. Rest in Peace, little hummer.
2. The satisfaction that is gleaned when one is wrestling with a butt-ugly plant that one no longer wants in their garden that has a tap root that goes to China, and I win! HA! Dammit! Off to the compost heap with you!
3. Knowing that there's always some other gardener to whom I can offload my extra plants, and who I know will take care of them.

Kumbaya, indeed!! Let's join hands!!!
Nell, that is hilarious!!!

Nancy.

I am happy because spring is near.....snow is nearly a distant thought....
I am happy because I have a wonderful family and an adorable grandson...(Yep, I am bias)
I am happy today especially because my new cottagey dining room furniture came today and I love it..
I am happy because my bichon will be having pups in a month..the miracle of life and spring together are just a win win combination...
I am happy because spring break is just around the corner..
I am happy because Michaels offers 50 percent off coupons and I got two today from girls at work!!! yea yea yea...that means two more cabinets closer to organization and easier scrapping...
I am happy because I had the most wonderful chopped salad for dinner...ooohhhh la laaaaa!
And last but not least...I am happy because I dont have to work until 8 am tomorrow..I can sleep in!!!!

So much in my life makes me happy starting with my helpmate of over 42 years who quite happily helps me with the garden and all my projects.

My garden, while always a work in progress, is mine. I planned it from the very beginning when it was nothing but a hill and a hole from house construction. I've made lots of mistakes and changes but I can do whatever I want within my climate's restrictions and a bit of common sense. I love looking at it in any season, even now when it's buried in snow.

I thoroughly enjoy looking at other gardens and could never choose only one. There's always some part of every one that inspires me and gives me ideas.

This is a nice thread, making us stop and think about our lives.

Here are my answers.

1. The love of my DH.
2. That I don't have to go by anyone else's rules as to how my garden should look.
3. There have been so many happy, flower filled gardens in this forum that I couldn't just pick any one to say something about. Every garden is a labor of love by each individual gardener, an ongoing progress that each gardener learns from. We are all unique, with different personalities and it comes out in our gardens.

I am thankful for this forum, for all the kind words about my simple, tropical cottage gardens. You have encouraged me to keep on doing what I'm doing. You have shared seeds, cuttings and information, as well as gorgeous pictures of your gardens that have left me oooohhhing and aaaahhhing, and sometimes a tad green. I am learning to be content with my plot of land, to grow what I can and enjoy the beauty that comes forth out of the ground.

FlowerLady
In green old gardens, hidden away
From sight of revel and sound of strife,
Here I have leisure to breathe and move,
And to do my work in a nobler way;
To sing my songs, and to say my say;
To dream my dreams, and to love my love;
To hold my faith, and to live my life.
Making the most of its shadowy day.

Violet Fane, 1843 - 1905, In Green Old Gardens

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Every aspect of gardening makes me happy, but I get a special kind of pleasure and contentment when I look out over the vegetable beds when everything is up and green and just beginning to produce.

Flower beds filled with color (and no hoard of insects munching away)

Seeing the new plantings survived the winter and are budding out.

My mornings at the computer with freshly brewed coffee (Yuban preferred at this time) and finding someone out there in gardening computerland has posted pictures of their beautiful gardens! See you all have the ability to make my day. This morning I have to thank Flower Lady for the wonderful poem and fabulous picture of the rose hanging in perfect Cottage Garden form over the window.