Maggie,

Ain't it the truth! It is just soul-satisfying to feed people with food you've grown yourself--and the additional freshness, tenderness and sugar in the veggies because they really did just come off the plant DO make a big difference in flavor. Changes the simplest salad into a gormet experience.

And getting to know your neighbors....Half the people I know in Hillsborough I met because I was out working in my front garden. The woman who lives across the street from me feels very isolated. She is not comfortable out of doors, is phobic of dogs, and bugs drive her nuts. I am the only person on the street who knows her (because I am out in the garden when she pulls out of the driveway.) One afternoon we were at the end of her driveway chatting. Several people walked by or drove by and stopped for a minute to greet me.

She said "How is it that you know so many people here?"

I replied "For the same reason I know you. Because I spend time out here in the yard."

Janie