May is my favorite month - I always feel uplifted watching the prolific growth of nature here in North Western Europe.

Last summer we did not have much hot weather, and my backyard tomato crop never developed - so this year I had a new plan. I decided to give my tomatoes a head start by planting seeds in a sunny east-facing window in early March. Then, moving them out to a cold frame 6 weeks later.

I was telling my husband, Stan, about my idea and he got inspired and built a small greenhouse above the cold frame I had dug out. Now, as of May 5th, the tomatoes have been outside for 2 weeks and are thriving. The little tomato house stands 3 feet tall above ground and has a roof that opens wide - can even be removed.

Each morning and a couple of times during the day I go out and adjust the opening of the cover to get an ideal mixture of sun and air on the plants. One of the first nights it was predicted to go down to the upper 30s so I heated red bricks in my kitchen oven and took them out and stacked them on the greenhouse - that saved the plants - they are thriving.

This project has given me pause to reflect that whether we're talking about plant growth or human spiritual growth, the nurturing and care are much the same. Given time and care, those we come into contact with regularly seem to grow and thrive when cared for well - especially with kindness.


And isn't that what our goal is - a harmonious mental state of being? That's my constant goal, anyway.

And so, I'll keep watering and caring for those tomatoes' every need, just as I act with kindness and care with people in daily living.