Eco-friendly gardening is sexy – Valentines Day and Every Day

I can think of few things as sexy and romantic as lying in bed early in the morning and having my husband reach over and gently nudge me awake and whisper those words that always give me a little shiver.

"Hootie's outside," he'll say. And a huge smile crosses my face as I snuggle back into his arms and listen.

Hootie is the name that we have given to a large barred owl that lives on our property. The sound is often so faint through the windows, that I don’t know how my husband hears it. But he does. And knowing how it makes me feel, he wants me to hear it too.

Sharing the wonders of nature together has become a very special part of our relationship. It has made us more aware of our surroundings...more tuned in to the sights, sounds, smells and tactile sensations of the world around us. And of course, those feelings have spilled over into our relationship.

One of my favorite things in life is spending time in the yard with my husband. It’s not just that I enjoy watching him nurture and care for the plants. But he always takes a break from whatever he is doing if he finds some “wonder of nature” that he thinks I should see. Every time he shares something like this with me, it is as if he is giving me a gift, because he is reminding me of all that is special and wonderful in our lives.

We garden specifically to attract these wonders of nature. Our yard is very natural, filled with native plants and free of all chemicals and other dangers that would discourage the wildlife.

Albert Einstein once said “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Perhaps that is the secret to all of life's relationships. Never forget to be amazed by the wonders around you. Hold on to that incredible joy that you felt when you first saw your newborn infant, that heart-racing rush of love when you first kissed your spouse, and the incredible sense of wonder that you experienced when you first heard the call of a wolf late at night while camping under the stars or first saw a tiny iridescent hummingbird fluttering around your gardens. And remember, remember, remember that none of those things will last forever unless you make an effort to protect them and nurture them and let them know you care.

So next time you are in your garden, look for the wonders. Soak them up, savor them, and then share them with someone you love.  

Happy Valentines Day!