It's been many months since I've posted thoughts here, but that's not to say I haven't had any thoughts! So much has happened -- I moved to north Jersey, Andover, up in Sussex County. I found a job, worked my &%# off for four months and then was laid off. Such is life. But still "life is good" -- I'm going to be a grandmother in one short month, which is the best thing that has happened in my life since my daughter was born. This is why I moved from the Jersey shore up to the mountains and farmlands of northern N.J. This is where I belong.

Yes, this is where I belong, despite the fact that I no longer have a place for my garden. I now live in a condo, on the second floor, with no discernable yard space. Since I had been planning to move, I replanted most of my perennials in pots and brought them with me. They looked very nice arranged outside my front door and along the side of the building, but wait. I forgot about the deer.

My herbs, for the most part, were safe, but the Bee Balm and Black-Eyed Susans were demolished. Score 1 for the deer, but I was determined to have a garden. So I found tomato fencing and chicken wire -- started my vegetable seeds inside -- trimmed some of the bushes in front to make room for more plants -- Success! It's not exactly the kind of garden I'm used to growing. It's a lot smaller, but I have pole beans, cucumbers and even a pumpkin plant growing beautifully behind the fencing. Now I just hope the deer don't discover how easy it is to push the fencing over!