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Growing up as 1 of 7 children in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, "participated" in gardening (picking rocks, hoeing, weeding, watering, tilling, etc.) was a definitely part of my childhood. In order to help the familys winter food supply, we had to work hard and, unfortunately, I became disinterested in the whole area. Then I moved away to the city to go to college. "Freedom!", I thought. At the time I didnt realize there arent any "redos" when it comes to childhood.

Years have passed, Ive become "city-fied", and my hindsight is growing stronger. Im able to look back now on all of the hard work, and yes, I admit, I miss it. I also miss the opportunity to talk to and work with my grandmothers who were prolific organic gardeners: flowers, vegetables, ginseng, goldenseal, and other interesting things. I didnt realize, when I was younger, how many valuable lessons they taught me.

Now, I have a child of my own. I want to pass the love of gardening on to him. My husband has even begun to show signs of ~enjoying~ gardening, not for my sake anymore, but for his own. There is hope after all!

Currently, Im trying to "regain" my brain and health after chemo and radiation treatment (fighting breast cancer). I struggle to recover my memories, especially those lessons from my grandmothers. Gardening, in a sense, as become post-cancer "therapy" for me.