December 1st: Hostas

It's hard to believe that this tired, dry bed was once lushly green.  But it was, just a few months ago.

Now the last of the drying stems are preparing to blow away in the next chill wind.  And the garden is beginning its winter rest.

Like most gardeners I know, I've got a growing stack of seed catalogs by the side of the bed.  And as I settle into my flannel nest at night I thumb through the pictures, in search of the perfect tomato; the striped zinnia which will look best in my vases; the cutest of the jack-be-little pumpkins.  And as the cold settles in, I console myself with the thought that it won't be long before I can start digging in the dirt.