Pruning

I decided this week that I think fall is my favorite season.  Maybe it's just because it's a nice change from the baking summer sun, or maybe the coziness the makes me want to make soup and craft at night by the fireplace.  Or the color changing leaves (though that's quite to a minimum here in California), or the feel of school starting.  I don't know what it is, but for some reason it gets me happy.  

This year I am especially excited to plant a fall and winter garden.  My seeds came in the mail yesterday for all my cold-hardy vegetables.  I will soon be planting onions, peas and beans, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, beets, potatoes, winter-hardy lettuces, sugarloaf radiccio, and many others.  This is my first time, so I am not sure how it will go, but I am excited to try.  The idea of planting in fall brings new excitement to a season which is typically reserved for pruning.  Actually, I love pruning as well.  It always makes me think of the bible verse, "Every tree which does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matt 7:19)"    Most people probably don't think this is a very cheerful thought, but I do.  It always comes to mind when pruning, as I am pruning out the weaker branches (maybe not the whole plant!) and knowing that even though my plants are about to look pretty chopped up and bare, the plant will be stronger and healthier for it, and I will see the benefit come springtime when it explodes with flowers or fruit.  And, of course I love compost, too.  (The very word has come to take on a refined and luxurious connotation whenever I say it... compost.  Mmmm.)  I get to take all the trimmed and pruned branches, and feed them back to the dirt, so my garden will benefit from it with the next planting!  

Today I am thinking that I need to do some pruning of my life.  Maybe there are plenty of things in my life that I do for fun, or because I have always done them, but what should I really be doing with my time - with what adds up to my life?  Yes, it's a good time now for me to re-assess, take out the clutter and energy-suckers, and get on with the business of living.  Anyone else?

Ah, and another thing about pruning... the best part is that I get to take whatever remnants of flowers are left, and fill the house with giant bouquets, the garage with drying herbs, seeds, and lavender, and my table with the last of the vegetables.  Bountiful life!  I'm not sure why I am getting so deep this morning, but I can't think of anything better to do........  on a foggy morning in fall!