I have kept a gratitude journal on-and-off for decades. More off recently. But more on is coming, like the tomatoes, peppers, and flowers soon to be growing in my garden.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life..” ~~ Melody Beattie

Today. I am grateful for this day. I am grateful for the robins, cardinals, doves and bluejays singing in the trees. I am grateful for the sunshine. I am grateful for the rain. I am grateful and my friends and family. I am grateful for my dog. I am grateful for my gifts. I am grateful for my wife. And today, especially today, I am grateful for the arrival of my purchase from White Flower Farm.

A Dawn and Dusk Rose & Clematis Collection. “By pairing vines in our Dawn and Dusk Rose & Clematis Collection, stunning aerial liaisons can be arranged. We especially like deep purple Clematis ‘Etoile Violette’ with the blush pink, double-flowered Climbing Rose ‘New Dawn.’ The Clematis clambers up the Rose’s thorny canes and obligingly places its flowers next to those of its host. When the two are at their peak in early July, the display is pure magic, and both can be counted on for repeat bloom through summer. ‘New Dawn’ is sweetly fragrant and disease-resistant, especially to black spot, the bane of many Roses.”

A Sweet Pepper Rainbow sampler (3 plants). A set of 6 Heirloom tomatoes. One Celebrity tomato, famous for it large, tasty fruit. And one Juliet–sweet 1-2″ shiny red grape tomatoes perfect for salads.

And last, but not least, packets of wildflowers from Hudson Valley Seed Company and sunflower seeds from Burpee Seeds and Plants.

Here is a photo of my garden from last summer.