Dear Liza,
Last year I kept a garden journal, partly to take notes about the garden’s progress, and partly to have fun making art about the garden. I have found it very useful to look back at last year’s journal to inform this year’s garden.
Last year I didn’t pay enough attention to how much sun each part of my plot got, and ended up stunting my tomatoes in the shade while baking my lettuce in full sun. This year I have corrected these mistakes.
I have also gotten my plants in more than a month earlier than last year, since I ran out of season with so many veggies still on the vines. These insights were all possible because of my Journal.
I am working in my journal already this year, recording the locations of my terraces and tomato cages, noting what I planted and when. Since I don’t like painting or drawing while perched on a stool or sitting on the wet ground, I do my journal pictures from photos I take.
That means that every time I go to the garden and take a picture of something new, I can paint a new picture in my garden journal. For example, today’s picture of my garden Guardian, Mlesi, perched on my cucumber trellis.
I am trying to get more accurate in turning photos into watercolors, but it is a slow process.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 
Garden Guardian, Mlesi <— Is this new for me to read about? GREAT !! Good idea to photo what you see to keep vision close while you create your art.
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Hello! Girl, you wake up early! I posted that blog at midnight and you read it already! I found the doll that I call Mlesi on a side walk last year and adopted her. Her style of hair and dress appear west African, but I can’t be sure. Mlesi is a word from one of the west African languages ( I knew it last year but have forgotten) that means guardian. She sits in the garden, more interesting than a gnome and classier than a flamingo, and watches over my seedlings.
Have a great day!
Judy
Sent from my iPad
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