My big ficus tree is spending the summer outdoors this year; I call it "plant camp". The tree needs pruning. For the first time in nearly 2 years I put my gardening gloves on, got my felcos out of the drawer, slathered myself with sunscreen and donned long sleeves. Out to the patio-

Snip clip snip snip- I filled a black barrel with ficus branches. The tree will be a more beautiful shape by fall when it comes back "home" to the living room from "camp". I even pulled some weeds out of real dirt by my epiphylliums and cactus! That's risky- Puncture wounds from thorny things growing outside are a no-no. It takes too long for them to heal- and they hurt a lot, too.

I was snipping back hydrangea branches shading my tuberous begonias when the phone rang. After I hung it up I realized I had been "out there" for nearly an hour. WOW. That's a good start. I'll leave it at that for today. I put the clippers & gloves back in the drawer, washed my hands, and plan on another hour in the garden tomorrow! What a happy thought...