Discouraged that the early June snow had damaged so many vegetable seedlings, I went seeking solace in written words. I think I felt so upset about it because this year, different from all the other years that I have been through this identical scene, I really need the vegetables to supplement my food budget. I think many others in these difficult economic times may be in a similar situation.

I've been thinking a lot about creating a community food garden - the rural area I live in is a very economically depressed area and so many people one would never expect to see wait in the lines at our small Community Food Bank. The Food Bank itself is impoverished and quite often can only provide people with a bag of potatoes or a box of breakfast cereal. Even if I can expand my growing beds in my own yard and, climate/weather permitting, can grow enough to share with others in a little "Farmer's Market" in front of my house, I think that would help the community a lot. I am thinking on giving myself a challenge to do this within a set period of time.

Below are a few quotes from well known individuals that were comforting and uplifting to me and may offer comfort to others undergoing various degrees of discouragement in whatever area of life (gathered from multiple websites and books):

"Any man can work when every stroke of his hands brings down the fruit rattling from the tree … but to labor in season and out of season, under every discouragement… that requires a heroism which is transcendent." – Henry Ward Beech

"Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed." – Abraham Lincoln

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." – Dale Carnegie

"Disappointments will come and go, but discouragement is a choice that you make." – Dr. Charles Stanley

I especially like the quote from Dr. Charles Stanley about discouragement being a choice. It helps (me) to choose to not make that choice.

My guiding feeling has been always to enjoy the process rather than the result. This is so true in gardening. Enjoying the fruits and perfumes is a lovely reward, but the healing is in the process for me. A few hours of weeding, planting, creating and I have forgotten my anxieties and worries and I return with a mind much better prepared to create solutions!

So armed with some comfort for my soul, I went out and repaired, replanted, and replanned. We now have a period of warm weather promised by the weather prognosticators, so perhaps success is in sight.

Every year, despite setbacks in this so unpredictable High Sierra climate, I do end up with a gorgeous and productive garden; so I will this year too.