Escape Artist

Posted on July 22, 2025 by shobha

I am not a summer person. This fact surprises many because how could an avid gardener not enjoy the season when the garden is at its peak? Well, this gardener can happily leap from spring right into fall. The high heat and humidity of summer really does me in. I wilt and wither almost immediately so how could I possibly like this season?

Certainly the garden is growing exuberantly right now and there is much satisfaction to derive from the success of the designs and plants I envisioned months, even years ago. But, given that I seek the cooler confines of the indoors as soon as temperatures spike, summer, in my opinion, can be very easily skipped. I have so much fun planning for this time that that in itself is all the pleasure I need. Yes, I dislike summer. There, I’ve said it.

And because I’m not in the garden weeding and tidying as much as I’m required to, matters get out of hand rather quickly. I’m not above shamelessly appealing to family and friends to help out. I bribe with food and drink. If that fails, I lay on the guilt. That works quite effectively. I advice everyone to give it a try.

I escape from the disapproving gaze of my garden by sneaking into spaces that don’t require any exertion on my part. It’s much nicer to visit other peoples gardens when it gets too hot (and humid) to be in my own. Inexplicably, summer feels kinda pleasant wandering around with a tall glass of something strong and cool in hand, admiring the not-my-garden, I generously reserve judgment on any mess or weeds left in place ( I’m only hard on myself) and cheerfully put up with weather conditions I typically find intolerable. Maybe it’s the work I resent doing. Indeed, I do have a lazy streak.

Last week, I escaped to Ithaca. For a whole week. Except for one amazingly cool, dry day, the weather was not very different from my own neck of the woods. But, I was not doing any work was I. So, it was all very agreeable. And I did visit a garden on the Cornell campus that I like immensely. Each time I’ve gone into this lovely space, it has been devoid of all other visitors. Even though it is almost directly across from their popular ice-cream place.

I have no idea what the story is about this garden – there’s never anyone around to ask. No doubt overseen by one the several plant-based departments of the university, It is well tended and clearly planted thoughtfully. Looking beautiful in all seasons, this garden offers lessons in color, texture, shape and design. Annuals and perennials are selected and mixed together by someone(s) who knows gardening well. Abuzz with all manner of pollinators, it still feels calm and quiet. My kind of garden.

Now that I’m back home, I’m studiously averting my eyes from my neglected piece of paradise. I’ll get to it tomorrow. Maybe.

All the photos below are from this unnamed Cornell garden. Enjoy!

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Summer Wine, Whine, Vine

Posted on July 8, 2025 by shobha

July started so hot and humid that very little got done in the garden. Watering the plants that looked parched and miserable, cleaning and filling the hummingbird feeders with fresh sugar solution and topping the birdbath with fresh, cool water has been the extent of my labor. Even that limited time in the garden was enough to be devoured by greedy, vicious mosquitoes no doubt lying in wait for my forays.

BUT, the long weekend was simply gorgeous. The Fourth ushered in lower temperatures and even lower humidity. Hallelujah! A morning hike in a preserve nearby was glorious. Birds and bird songs abounded. After spending so much time in the cool of the indoors, it was liberating to move around. Feeling the gentle breeze, hearing the birds, inhaling the earthy smells of the lofty, green pillared cathedral was nothing short of being in a sacred space, My spirits soared. A reminder of how much we need to be in Nature.

Back home, it was pure bliss to simply sit in my garden and enjoy the sight of all the flowers that had been undaunted by the preceding days of heat. I delighted in watching the hummingbirds at the feeders, butterflies dancing in what appeared distinctly flirtatious and, a myriad happy pollinators in action. The Echinacea was a particular draw.

Later that evening, I was privileged to sit in a friend’s garden sipping wine, observing the brilliant sunset before the main attraction – fireworks of course! A very satisfactory day indeed.

Saturday was just as lovely. Between neighbors dropping in to see the garden and us driving over to friends for a garden party, I did exert myself to get a spot of weeding done.

At the aforementioned garden party, there was a brief period of grumbling about the pest du jour – the reviled spotted lanternfly. With no real control available, folks are resorting to neem oil. A good general, organic treatment but, not only must it be reapplied after every rainfall, it is important to remember that the good insects are also impacted by any general products. My own response is to crush the pests whenever I see them. The nymphs are more elusive. My Concord grapevine is a lanternfly favorite so, I’m watching the developing clusters of grapes with trepidation.

Sunday started out beautifully and I made the most of it by lingering outdoors but by noon the humidity rose as did the mercury. Sigh. Another week fraught with heat, humidity and thunder showers is forecast.

Why oh why must all good things come to end? And so quickly too.

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

A Case For Autocracy Or Tough Love?

Posted on June 17, 2025 by shobha

Did the title get your attention? Good. Allow me to spend the next few paragraphs making my case.

In trying to understand what we’re facing as a nation, my mind has been working overtime. As always, when faced with a life problem I turned to the garden for counse. The answers were not readily apparent. However, in going about the business of gardening, cogitating on what and how we humans readily behave badly whilst simultaneously declaring our goodness, I started becoming aware of just how explicitly the garden was informing me.

The very work of making and maintaining a garden is about Control. We act as boss and not so much partner with Nature. We apply our plans and designs to create our vision and in doing so, we often operate counter to Nature. What we plant and grow, the practices and methods we employ are for our own purpose – to make a beautiful, bountiful garden.. Even as we ‘welcome’ pollinators and beneficial creatures, we are doing so to our own advantage’.

Weeds? Pull ‘em by the roots and dispose. A plant (native or otherwise) gets thuggish and invades spaces not intended for them? Cut back ruthlessly or remove entirely. We cut, clear, coppice, confine and cage to suit. Train, tie and twist. Stake, suppress, spray. We do what we we want. You see? We’re a pretty bunch of horticultural autocrats!

Are we really this bad? Yes we are if all we focus on is getting our personal agenda fulfilled. The worst kind of gardener is one who uses methods and practices that damage/destroy indiscriminately and without consideration to the surroundings and those who live in it. Such gardeners do indeed exist but I’d like to think that there are more of us who are better than that. We make choices that do the least harm or none at all. On principals of coexistence, conservation and community, we create our gardens to be spaces that allow insects and other animals to visit. Pests are discouraged by encouraging their natural predators, companion plantings or the judicious use of organic applications.

Of course, we still prune, pull weeds and deal with invasives but we also compost to use as both fertilizer and mulch. Grow native and/or ecologically beneficial non-native plants that are resilient, hardy and less demanding of resources like water and labor. We keep in mind that we are but the privileged, temporary custodians of this, our precious piece of land for future generations to enjoy. As in parenting, we provide structure, boundaries and some discipline – with kindness, care, compassion, empathy and most all, with love. Tough love.

In the final analysis, it comes down to who we choose to be and how we choose to act. If we can look into the eyes of our children and grandchildren and justify our choices without reservation or excuse, with the full understanding that they led to better, healthier lives for them, then, and only then can we confirm that we chose right. From deep within our hearts.

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Pachyderms Pacing Purposefully

Posted on June 10, 2025 by shobha

There’s a new baby girl in my life. Please meet little Beejal – the Sanskrit word ‘Beeja’ means ‘seed’. The name Beejal is described as symbolizing creativity and adaptability, reflecting an innovative spirit. The connection to the word Beeja suggests themes of growth, potential and, new beginnings. Traditionally it is a name assigned to a male but, I’m applying it to my new baby girl from the Nilgiri Hills in southern India. Beejal is a member of a herd of elephants making its way across the globe and currently marching across the United States.

The Great Elephant Migration is a project with all the hallmarks of a message that transcends all geopolitical differences and unifies the world and all its residents to inform, educate and take positive action towards conservation, coexistence and community. You can read much more about it here.

Here’s a quick account. The Lantana plant, a member of the verbena family, is native to tropical regions of Central and South America. Vibrantly colored flowers attract pollinators, does well in a variety of climates, grows rapidly, drought tolerant and low maintenance, it has long been a garden favorite everywhere. Unfortunately, it has been way too happy in certain swathes of the world where the climate has encouraged it to thrive so well that it has become hugely invasive. To the point that it has completely out-competed other native plants. Lantana has literally taken over entire landscapes. Furthermore, it is completely toxic thus depriving animals of their typical native, nutrient rich plants. This problem cannot be overstated. An animal like the elephant, a keystone species, must consume a vast quantity of vegetation daily is dangerously impacted. Forced to seek food elsewhere, they must venture beyond their traditional terrain and this has often meant cultivated fields and consequently resulted in perilous conflicts with humans.

A story like this covers the importance of growing native plants, monitoring invasive and/or non-native species, the value of living in co-existence with all creatures respecting each others space and needs, conserving resources and, in the final analysis, each living member of this planet is an integral part of the global community.

The Great Elephant Migration was conceived to visually illustrate this overarching problem to the world, Using lantana stems, artisans of the indigenous people of the Nilgiris create sculptures of the elephants amongst whom they live. Each lantana elephant is created in the likeness of a real one. A herd of a 100 such pachyderms has been tasked with spreading this important message to the human world. All the monies raised goes not only towards paying the artisans but is also shared by numerous conservation organizations worldwide.

I first learned of this wonderful project about a year and a half ago. It is one that resonates with me deeply and at so many levels. And there’s one additional fact that strikes me very personally, right into my heart – my father grew up in the Nilgiris. The need to attach myself to this amazing effort was unquestionable. I’ve spent my whole life getting involved in many important causes but the pull of this particular one was as strong as well, a herd of elephants! I therefore made the decision to ‘adopt’ a baby elephant. Knowing the proceeds will achieve so much good gives me immense joy. Plus, I have myself one irresistible and adorably rotund baby elephant in my garden.

Win-win-win all around.

P.S. I hope you will be moved to support this wonderful cause in any way you can.

Introducing Beejal! –

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Welcoming The Stranger

Posted on May 13, 2025 by shobha

Opening the garden to the is fraught with trepidation and thrills. Preparing for it requires time and energy in abundance as one must get the garden to look its very best. Visitors, on their part, make the time and effort to come to it so it is imperative that every endeavor is made by the gardener to make it worth their while. That’s not just hard work but a demanding one as well. The way I see it, a visitor must be delighted, inspired, pleasantly surprised even and hopefully, learn something as well. That’s what I’d like when I’m the visitor. So, it’s what I strive to achieve with my own garden open day.

It’s important to give an authentic experience. After all, a garden ought to be a true reflection of those who tend it – their philosophical sensibilities on gardening, nature, the environment, design, as well as their lifestyle. “Get to know my garden and you get to know me” To deliver all that is the trepidation part.

The thrill is in meeting the diverse guests – hearing their reactions and observations, receiving feedback and best of all, seeing my garden through their eyes. Of course, while most are first time visitors, several arrive every year and finally, some friends who love my garden but also want to show support. Visitors arrive as strangers and leave as friends. For sure, gardens bring people together. I find it all positively exhilarating.

Open Day this past Saturday was glorious. After days of torrential rain ( and doing my chores through those challenging conditions), the garden sparkled in sunshine and radiated joy. What a relief! It was a near perfect event. I say ‘near’ because total perfection is a myth. Besides, as any gardener worth their salt soil knows, humility is a lesson learned very early in gardening.

I’m sharing some pictures taken from that day. Enjoy.

I do want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to all those who came – thank you.

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Open May! Open Day!

Posted on May 6, 2025 by shobha

I returned to the garden yesterday. Two weeks ago, my deeply loved father passed away. It’s been an emotionally charged time and I’m still processing my grief. I was blessed and privileged to be the daughter of a truly great man. Time heals it is said but I believe that working in the garden is the best therapy there is.

May has arrived in full glory – spreading color and joy everywhere. A

reminder that life must be celebrated. I spent the better part of yesterday gardening in the rain. While not the ideal weather by any measure, it still felt wonderful. With my Open Day just days away, there are a myriad chores to be completed and I must make up for the time I was away. I’ll certainly do my best to have the garden ‘visitor ready’!

For those with more time on hand, here is the general to-do list for May –

Weed regularly if you want to keep the thugs in check.
Put stakes in place so that as plants grow it’ll be easy to secure them.
Deadhead spent blooms for a neat look. Some plants will reward you with a second wave of blooms. Of course, if you want to collect seeds, do not deadhead.
Water as necessary. Add a splash of compost tea to fertilize – about every 3 weeks.
Plant in summer vegetables, summer bulbs and tubers and, annuals.
Keep bird baths filled with clean water. Use mosquito ‘dunks’ to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. The same goes for fountains.
Start mowing lawns but do the right thing by keeping the mower blade high at about four inches. Leave clippings in place to replenish the soil.
Make sure all beds, shrubs and trees are mulched to retain moisture and keep weeds from proliferating.
To take care of weeds in areas that are paved or bricked, pour boiling hot water over them. The weeds will be killed and no chemicals were used!
Stay vigilant for pests or disease. The earlier you catch a problem, the easier it is to treat them. Always employ organic methods.
Stir the compost heap regularly. Keep adding in kitchen and garden waste.
Take time every day to simply enjoy the garden.
Visit other gardens through the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Program. You will be vastly instructed and inspired. Www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays

I look forward to seeing some of you this Saturday in my garden!

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Beyond Borders And Boundaries

Posted on February 25, 2025 by shobha

Well in the grips of winter, sleeping cozy under a quilt of snow, the garden is not waking up anytime soon. But this gardener’s spirit is very much yearning to be immersed in all things Nature. Soil, water, seeds, plants, flowers, heck even weeds! After all, the garden is classroom, sacred space and comforting escape all rolled into one. So, while the garden is hibernating, lets look beyond its borders, boundaries, walls and fences to consider the larger landscape.

Without mincing any words, there is at present, so much chaos, confusion, despair and dismay regarding what’s happening at various federal agencies, organizations and departments that one is hard pressed to feel optimistic and hopeful. It’s all too overwhelming. If there is anyone out there who is untouched by all the happenings, then perhaps they are happy living under a rock. They have my envy.

There is a great deal at risk right now.

For the purposes of this space that is typically dedicated to gardens, gardening and all things related to our natural world, I’d like to share my thoughts and doings accordingly. Even in this specific area I don’t know where to start. But here I go –

Lets consider the big reduction in the number of personnel in the National Parks Services (NPS). This means the mission of the service to protect, preserve and enhance our national parks is in peril. I cannot overstate the risk the current changes have created to what are our most valuable and cherished spaces in the country. All manner of life is threatened – the fragile balance must be maintained for flora and fauna to flourish. An understaffed park cannot keep up with the many different areas of oversight and necessary work. Forest husbandry and wildlife management require knowledge, skill, training and experience. Love and respect of Nature too. Our rangers are just as priceless as are our national parks.

This reduction in the NPS workforce is not about money as we are led to believe. The following which I came across this very morning confirms that –

In 2023, National Parks created 415,000 jobs – jobs in largely rural regions, supporting entire communities, and creating $55 billion in economic output. For every $1 of federal funding given to NPS, they generate $10.

The National Parks Foundationis the official congressionally chartered charitable partner of the NPS. They are paying careful attention to the present situation. They will be informing its membership as matters proceed on how we might support the NPS mission by way of donations and whatever else is deemed imperative.

Who knows, Volunteer Ranger Assistants might be called for!

If you are not as yet a member of the National Parks Foundation, now would be the time to remedy that. Your support is vital. We gardeners and garden lovers know fully well just how critical it is. Right?

Note: Nature heals, comforts, teaches, nourishes and elevates us to be better versions of ourselves. Here are some of my watercolors inspired from going beyond my borders:

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

February Fever

Posted on February 18, 2025 by shobha

‘Fever’? you ask? It’s been one fiercely frigid month after all. Snow storms every few days, ice, some hail, rain leading to more ice, powerful winds. It has been a very busy couple of weeks with more of the same expected this week. It’s become rather tiresome as most outdoor activity has been unpleasant if not impossible. We need options to warm up our spirits. Fear not. I have a few suggestions.

Last Friday, I went to the member’s preview of the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Gardens. This might well be my favorite one thus far. While it’s always fun to see a mad array of colorful flowers in the middle of winter, I’ve never found myself as motivated and inspired as I was by this one. Taking its cue from the designs of Mexican modernist architect Luis Barragán, the show transports you to Mexico where you feel the warmth, the vibrant colors and rhythmic music lift your mood. The orchids are arranged and grouped brilliantly – coordinated and curated colors that sing in harmony. Juxtaposed with walls in vivid hues, sculptural cacti and traditional pots, it is tasteful and artful. Indeed cacti and orchids require different conditions to thrive but there are design lessons to be learned nevertheless. I love this show and plan to visit it again soon. Do go see for yourself. At the very least, it’ll serve as a welcoming, warm respite.

The Garden Conservancy’s Open Days directory arrived over the weekend. Thumbing through it is jolly exciting – so many interesting and beautiful gardens to visit. I know I won’t have the time to visit them all but it’s gloriously fun to consider the possibility. The final list will be shorter of course. Now is the time to make plans, schedule them into the calendar and make reservations in a timely manner. It’s the best way to ensure I get to see new gardens and revisit old favorites all of which will no doubt keep me enthused all through the gardening season. February affords one the time to peruse and plan at leisure. Take full advantage. Note: My garden has it’s Open Day on May 10. Come on over!

Finally, starting this coming Sunday, February 23, there’s a new show on NBC. The Grosse Point Garden Society is described as an “American drama television series set in a wealthy suburb where everything appears to be perfect on the surface. Four members of the local garden club get entangled in a scandalous murder… with mysteries, drama and deceit growing like weeds …!”. I learned of it quite by chance – it caught my attention right away! Since I adore both gardening and murder mysteries, I’m eager to check it out. If anything, it’ll be fun to see how hoticulturally accurate or inaccurate it will be!

And in less than 2 weeks, March would’ve arrived.

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Getting The Juices Flowing

Posted on February 11, 2025 by shobha

I firmly believe that over the years, both garden and gardener need to evolve. We must keep up with the time as new horticultural introductions come to light, the latest scientific understanding shows us how to adjust or alter the way we garden, climate change forces us to adapt to different conditions, our age insists we seek to downsize, get some extra pair of hands or simplify our gardens. Our aesthetics and preferred styles evolve. We lose plants to weather related crises, pests or owns own negligence. The point is, it is up to us to determine how well we ourselves grow and consequently, how our gardens do so as well. With the right attitude, it is an exciting process. After all, maintaining a status quo is not only humdrum and tedious but can be detrimental. Without actively making positive change, taking a chance on trying something new, welcoming opportunities and enjoying the progress that is made, one is in peril of letting the world pass us and our gardens by.

For me, February is the ideal time to think about ways I can tweak my garden to make it more interesting and/or exciting. Sometimes the tweak can be substantial as was when I decided to create the vertical garden or something much smaller as in the case of having a ‘display’ by the curb to give passers by something to lift their mood as they drive or walk by. In any event, I derive enormous pleasure from it all and inevitably learn so much as well.

This year, I’m dreaming of creating a proper collection of citrus plants. Mostly varieties of lemons with some types of oranges in the mix. Nothing too ambitious as there is much to understand. For some years now, I’ve been successfully growing calamondin oranges, Meyer lemons and regular lemons. They all live in pots that go into the greenhouse each winter. In addition, after seeing the hardy orange (suitable for my neck of the northeast) at the NYBG, I acquired 3 very young trees of the same from Hortus Gardens. One day, when they’ve reached a reasonable size, I will have to find them a suitable site in my tiny garden. They’re slow growers so that time is a few years away. But already in my mind’s eye I can see this trio looking mighty fine in their fullness.

My source of inspiration and motivation is a book I’m currently reading. ‘The Land Where Lemons Grow’ is one that must be read slowly in order to fully appreciate the history of citrus cultivation in Italy. I’m picking up several nuggets of wisdom and simultaneously escaping from the harsh winter here to the romance of Italy. I’m savoring this book as one does a fine glass of chilled limoncello.

Soon I will research and source types of citrus I’d like to grow. Consider my budget before placing orders, acquire appropriately lovely pots and then, launch into squeezing a ‘lemon house’ in my already crowded piece of paradise. That last one could be a pipe dream but why should that stop me from dreaming anyway?

My juices are definitely flowing.

Note: All fruit (except the 3 showing the NYBG hardy orange and label towards the end) in the following images were homegrown!

[do_widget “Blog Subscriptions (Jetpack)”]

Stop! Breathe! Engage!

Posted on January 28, 2025 by shobha

It’s a quiet time in my garden – under a thick blanket of snow everyone is asleep. I’m almost envious because my own mind is filled with all sorts of things, many of which are keeping me restless if not awake at night. Amongst my garden dreams of how I want this upcoming growing season to unfold, what new coveted plants to introduce to the current residents when they awaken, schedule the myriad chores, get tools, supplies and seeds ready, other projects to plan and prepare for like art shows and the annual Lyndhurst Flower Show in April (I’m ‘doing’ the Servants Dining Room this year!), a big house project (still in the envisioning stage), all of which are exciting, it is the news both national and international that has me worried, angry, frustrated and saddened. It is extremely overwhelming to say the least. I suspect I’m not alone in feeling this way.

I’ll admit that some days have been rough, others more normal and a few where I’ve been blissfully transported to a world of joy and laughter. Clearly, I need more of the last kind. On examining the different sort of days and how I specifically felt, I came to some obvious facts. The rough days were when I read or watched too much news. Subconsciously all the information found its way to my muscles and tensed them, it saturated my thoughts so I was unable to focus on what I wanted to do or create. Without that creative work, I became irritable, agitated and absolutely no fun to be around with. At the end of such a day I was left quite annoyed with myself and also exhausted. And sleep was elusive.

The normal days were the ones where I followed my to-do list for the day. Purposefully attending to each item – working out, reading, creating by way of painting, designing, writing or developing a project, getting in a walk to catch some sun and enjoy nature, catching up with the news at days end, some kind of movie or show and keeping regular sleep hours.

The best days were those where I completely tuned off the news and instead, I connected with people. Creative as well as mundane but necessary work still got done. Workouts and walks happened. Reading was given due time. But, instead of scrolling on Instagram or checking my news feed, I chatted with friends who lived far away and caught up with what they’d been up to and shared my own doings. Unfailingly, such conversations left me uplifted and motivated to get on with my own work on hand, Often, I scheduled a walk with a friend and we discussed what we were reading, planned on reading, shows we’d watched, goings on in our town, our families and our work, brainstormed ideas if either one of us needed it – stuff only friends can help with. Or, I met up with a group to try out a new restaurant for dinner or see a movie at an actual theater and then discuss it over drinks.

One of my most favorite things is game night – playing Charades, board games or anything else that involves getting silly and/or friendly competition invariably generates lots of laughter and camaraderie. It’s often cross-generational. For the full duration of such an evening, all the gravitas of the world is forgotten. The spirits are buoyed so much that the good effects last well beyond that single night.

Now, I might wear several hats but I am ultimately a gardener at heart. So in winter when my garden is in repose, I still crave to be amidst plants. A bit of time spent in the greenhouse is lovely but space is at a premium in there – one cannot hang out beyond an hour. The temperature that feels cozy when one steps in from outside quickly reminds me that the it is set at a number that keeps the plants alive but not conducive for humans lolling about.

I fix this need by indulging in some floral therapy. I buy myself orchids, fresh flowers and pots of hyacinths and other bulbs. Often the bulbs are ones I’ve had cooling for many weeks and are ready for forcing. But, I’m also a sucker for those temptations at the grocery store – right about now there are pots and pots of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and such waiting for me to show up. I cannot express how happy it makes me to have them at various locations in my home. The hyacinths send their perfume out simply to seduce me – I will give them company and close attention till I suddenly become aware of what I should be doing instead. Like finishing this article or a garden design for a client, making progress on a painting or getting dinner going. What a wonderful distraction!

Between engaging with community and plants, the most enjoyable days are to be had. Less Facebook (maybe none) and more face-to-face time. Less gossip, more games. By no means should we ignore the news but, lets partake of it judiciously. Then, do something about it – communicate thoughts and requests to our senators and representatives in Congress, sign-up to volunteer/support/donate as needed. Lets use our voices, our skills, our positions to make a difference to effect the change we’d like. Lend a hand to the vulnerable and be a force in our respective communities. This is empowering to ourselves as well as each other. Sitting around whining and complaining will achieve nothing. Instead, in the words of the late, great John Lewis, “lets make good trouble”. Get involved. Be useful.

So, take frequent deep breaths and be fully engaged. We are all community and stronger together. And be sure to sniff a flower or two.