It’s startling how quickly time passes. One minute you are celebrating Christmas and New Year’s, and then all of a sudden, you’ve rip-roared through five months. Time does fly. When I think of the 1990’s, sometimes it seems like it was just a few years ago, and then I find myself shocked to realize it’s actually been a few decades. If you’re my age and you really want to feel the time warp, the Smashing Pumpkins released their hit song 1979 in 1995. If released today, the song would be titled 2006. My apologies for both the math and for everyone in my age group that I just made feel a little old.

Anyways, what really got me thinking about time was when I was recording the newsletter last week. You may not have known this, but each week I record an audio version of Life Lived Outside (click here if you want to listen now). My hope is that I can share our stories with you even if you need your hands free to do something else. If you are a weekly listener, then you’ve probably noticed our sign off. It’s Abby and Maddy saying “Happy Gardening, The Kerby’s Nursery Family.” I had them record it years ago now, back sometime in early 2019.

This week, while I was editing my recording and splicing in their sign-off, they both overheard me listening to it. The looks they gave me were hilarious, and their comment was “We sound like babies.” And they really do. It’s amazing how a few years has shaped their voices.

Today, I let them record a fresh copy, but it makes me kind of sad. Because they aren’t babies anymore. In the same way that this year has charged ahead and the decades have begun to slip by, Abby and Maddy are showing no signs of slowing their growing. Each day they get a little older and hopefully a little wiser. I’m not sure I’m ready for the tween and teen years, but they will be here soon and there is nothing I can do but embrace the fact that they are growing up. Sometimes it feels like I am just along for the ride.

So, here they are, in their more grown-up voices to remind you that no matter what age you are, it is easy to smile when you are in your garden.

P.S. We will be open our normal store hours on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, but we will be closing Monday at 2 pm. Have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

P.P.S. We are always looking for great people to join our team. Plant knowledge is a bonus, but not required. What is important is that you love talking to people and want to help spread Kerby’s values of success, beauty, honesty, happiness, and fun. Click here to learn more.

P.P.P.S. Keep an eye out for details about an upcoming Plants and Pets event, tentatively scheduled for August 20th. During the dog days of summer, we’ll have a Saturday where you can bring your pets to the nursery, and we’ll have some refreshment stations for them, as well as learning stations for you about which plants are pet-friendly, both indoors and outdoors. We’re hoping it will be lots of fun for you and your furry friends.