These zinnias are the first flowers I’ve ever grown from seeds planted directly in the garden. Next year I will plant lots more. Definitely my favorite garden bouquet bloom.

I was thinking this morning about how much of my life has revolved around an American academic schedule: 9 months of school, including various holidays, plus 3 months off in the summer. It started when I was 5 years old and continued until the end of my 5 year college plan. There were precious few years after college in wh...