There are two things I love to do when I’m not conducting or singing–planning my garden, and gardening. There is lots of time for planning here in the Midwest! When the weather finally lets up so we can garden, I barrel in, sometimes leaving my best laid plans in the dust. …..This year, the planning and the barreling in have merged and I have the best, prettiest garden I ever have. Things I have planned for years have finally reached their maturity and many of my hair brained last minute inspirations don’t seem so hair brained with success. My herbs especially have done well and I have already begun harvesting and freezing so we may have some their sunshine when the snow replaces the plants in a few months.

Sitting under the maple tree with a cool drink the other day and enjoying the garden, I thought about all my planning for the Midwest Motet Society, how much it’s like planning for the garden. Some of my ideas have reached maturity and have shown sense in them when I felt unsure initially. My research, planning and sometimes, my barreling in have proven worth the time I spent doing it. I “pulled weeds” that seemed to be clogging the group, have tried new things and have gone with my gut, just like I have with my garden. And “herbs” have been preserved to enjoy and use later in the dead of winter, when all is dark.