Dirt

I suppose there are some people for whom dirt is not a major part of their life. They may think of it as something that has to be cleaned out of their houses. Some even have others do that for them so they are even more removed from dirt. But it's a major commodity to me. Gardening is all about the dirt. I love that part of it. Digging in it, usually barehanded because you can't feel the soil with gloves on.With raised beds, there is never enough dirt. I covet people's compost piles even though I have three of my own. I spend part of each day working on those piles making more dirt. Pulling up weeds, cleaning the chicken house, raking the lawn and emptying the food compost; it's all about making more good dirt.
Then there's good dirt and not so great dirt. I have the not so great kind full of hunks of clay, rocks and roots. But you can make it into good dirt by a little back-aching digging and mixing the good stuff in with the not so good.
Then one spring day things so unlike dirt emerge out of it; luscious vegetables and gorgeous flowers. It is something I find so remarkable that every time it happens, I still stand amazed.