Changing of seasons.

As some of you might already know, I love flower gardening. It ranks right below reading. In the spring, I'm possessed; cleaning out the beds, getting my hands dirtied and running to all the garden centers to grab my bounty.

Then, all summer long, I go to my havens. I love weeding, feeding and watering. You gardeners know the feelings. You love the nuturing, the satisfaction of the beauty you created; and the peace.

Then, around September, my motherly instinct turns to something else. My "children" are getting on my nerves - always wanting water, needing more Miracle Grow, begging to be weeded. Plus, they're just not so cute anymore.

So, two nights ago, we had our first major freeze. I knew what I should have done; but that involved blankets and making space in the garage. I pretended to be too busy. I decided to let Nature do my dirty work. Here's a little of the carnage:

First: The Gerber Daisies.

Then comes the Mexican Heather:

Then there is my herb garden:

And that's just on my deck.

(Burial services will be this weekend.)

Start walking!!!

I love living here in Iowa. Both my husband and I were born and raised in the state; but couldn't wait to leave when we grew up.

Then, after living in Denver, Texas and Louisiana and adding  a baby to our family, we decided to moved back to Iowa to raise her. We have never regretted that decision.

According to the 2010 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index; Iowa is rated 19th in the nation for health. Our governor wants Iowa to be number one by 2016. 

I agree. Health officials have declared today's children will not live as long as our generation. How sad. We have become victims of our environment.

But it's never too late. The governor's office has started a program for us to come together to change this trend. It's called the Healthiest State Initiative. The kick-off program starts this October 7, 2011.

As we all know, the hardest part of any project is to just start. We are starting with "Start Somewhere Walk". A simple 1K (7 blocks) walk. This is slated for the whole state. Our 2 local grocery stores are even suppling lunch. Thank you, HyVee and Fareway.

To learn more about this program, go to www.iowahealthieststate.com and take the pledge.

Once again, Iowa will be "first in the nation".