![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZ9WylgFqZwYXau9uSh9ZYxW_hImViBJocfw_vQuLuKcZNnvF6fg5TaSgHN0BE02-m3hnOt-luxaGDsQw1Sgcse_kzns3bVGAk8YGH_k88PWvjF5BZwGaoUUCTAuiZ9LEtKR-WWbQMzs1/s400/zoo+040.jpg)
This was my garden a few days before I left, lush with beans, basil, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, flowers, lettuce, chard and more.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkqhjAQl6o06yIY3kpw0Um2Ed6Neu6sn-5SdYMIVj3Gc5h2o5hSMICXAYud1M7_CyN_WuAr1LbPRVz2U8Z9CiZrcwdWNysHxPN52vPunTxoW-Wc_luZupHJYAu9Bzp590kkH0O7X1X6sK/s400/illinoistrip+001.jpg)
This is the same, although sadder garden upon my return. In my absence the house was hit by a devastating hailstorm that literally stripped the trees of their leaves and laid waste most of our lush and beautiful yard. Look at the flower bed in this picture posted a month ago
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOEJ9aqYZxQ_GJj9uNftrSQllYyXXnZvB3BW1H_cWXnsZcQTFDpp1q_rojAaW2AQhOkR9F5b67TtExmDSK-3pbygBxij039NeHDXuQVKjT4JFRVBGtIrUr4u2DO4QKV1EzwlJdF4E6csN/s400/2andahalf+007.jpg)
and this is the same bed today.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrFWe5mSP34dUnW-v030T5TmSTck7Mrs8_6lc09D2eKh1xmYu4P-oJlywruwYNPqLB-4hHhKWKMwTtTDFfSW5exV5EoPT4B80hdY7p493_7WXCytpF6JWcKD33iHT8l1lv7EMgHQTXGsC/s400/illinoistrip+002.jpg)
I can't tell you how much sadness this inspired on my arrival. I plod through winter with the anticipation of the glorious lushness of the warmer months. It is a hard feeling to stare out at a barren yard, a ruined garden and leafless trees. And yet mama earth will revive, she always does, and I will be here to watch and wait and hope.
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