Though most of our acreage was cleared when we bought our cabin almost two years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long!), I really wanted more trees. I didn’t want so much open space. The idea of moving to the country was trees, woods, forest – a relief from the longing.

And flowers, too. One can never have too many flowers.

So Norm and I let about two acres go – gave it back to Mother Nature, so to speak, and said to her, “Hey, do with it as you wish!”

I was hoping she’d want to sow some blackberries, which grow wild all over the bayou if you just leave them alone.

I was hoping she’d dot the landscape with black-eyed Susans in the summertime, too.

And most of all, I was hoping she’d offer more trees – whatever kind she saw fit. I’m not picky. I’m an equal-opportunity-tree-hugger.

Lo, and behold, Mother Nature delivered all that I had hoped for, and more.