The simple things in life mean the most

As a writer I can be a bit creative here and there, but in this life I long for a different type of artistry.

I've said it many times before and I'll say it many times again ... I love to garden.

I may not be able to draw, but I can write.

And what I lack in the math department is completely made up for in creating the garden.

I'm told I come from a long line of green thumbs. My Grandma Ferree always had a vegetable garden of some sort along with a few flowers to brighten the space up. My great-grandmother, Nan, couldn't kill a house plant if she tried. And then there's my mom who has a great artistic knack for decorating, art and gardening. She is also able to combine the three skills and create beautiful landscape.

It was only after Nan passed away that I realized I had a talent for nursing house plants. After her funeral I was given two planters that I carefully babied for years.

Fast forward 13 years and Nan would be so proud of me. I know that she would enjoy my dining room full of its greenery in the cold of winter time. And I would love for her to come and sit with me on the front porch -- where she'd enjoy the aromatic smells of spring time and be able to watch the cars go by.

It's funny because she never fussed with landscape or potted flowers, but she always had cactus and Poinsettias around. And like I said before she couldn't kill them if she tried.

As for Grandma Ferree, I'd sure love to get a visit from her as well. She always had an Aloe vera plant in the living room. I learned from an early age that the Aloe vera is nature's cure for a minor burn.

And then there's mom. I'm so happy to still have her. She comes over often and in the warm months I show her around my garden. And she does the same for me when I'm at her house.

We talk and dream about what we will do with this empty space or how to brighten up that dark spot. A pot of Impatiens here, a Hosta there.

Then there's also Momkoonce. She and papa Koonce always have a tidy yard with a very classic style of landscape. Their home always looks beautiful.

In a recent conversation with Momkoonce she mentioned some updates to her landscape. (Meaning she was getting rid of some of the old and bringing in something new.) And that means mom and I will also get to update our gardens with whatever she doesn't want anymore. I couldn't be more thrilled!

It's the simple things in life that mean the most.

Timberly is a staff writer at the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by e-mail at tferree@gcdailyworld.com or by phone at 1-800-947-4487 or (812) 847-4487.