Dear Reader:

We usually think of the word pruning in connection to a gardening technique. As in to cut off an useless or damaged branch, limb, stem or even bloom. For the past few weeks I have been pruning back most of the bushes in my garden that looked too bushy or overgrown for the garden-bushes like my Chinese Fringe, magnolia, gardenias and tea olives.

But lately I have come to realize that I needed to do some pruning inside too-to get rid of useless clutter that stifles my creativity and healthy mental growth.

Specifically I knew last Monday a week ago that my happy place/ blog post writing room needed dusting, moping, cutting back on the stacks of books that filled two desk tables-it was suddenly just too much-a distraction at the least and a thought blocker at the most.

I was going to need my wits about me to learn all the in’s and out’s of a new computer program-not visually bogged down in piles of notes and books.

I needed a crisp clean polished look before I even placed the new chrome book on the adjacent desk.

I also needed space to think… admiring my flowering baskets with the sounds of birds chirping … life’s “extras” to inspire me … a reminder that life is beautiful and should be shared with others!

*The only problem was… if one removes clutter from one room and drops it off in another-you have just exchanged “clutter zones!”It took me two days to lug bags of books and miscellaneous items to the car to drop off at different charity centers!

But oh what a sensational feeling of accomplishment ones has when decluttering is complete… until it sneakily builds back up again and it’s time to prune again !

Maybe that is why my garden appeals more to me each year-it stays cleaner longer and I get to follow secret azalea paths, welcome new plants and watch Bliss, the little wide-armed statue become immersed by colors of the rainbow!

So until tomorrow … God is good all the time-His will be done in ‘ 21!

Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh