By LYNNE IRONS

I try to make the illustrations match the written word. I give Seniel a word or two hint and she comes up with something appropriate. It is always a surprise to me when I get the Gazette on Friday. She e-mails to the Gazette, while I, on the other hand, typewrite the content and someone is kind to pick it up. Two weeks ago I mentioned raking until my arms no longer worked. The picture did not make it until last week. I cracked up to see the rake with dismembered arms.

By Lynne Irons

Thank you so much — you know who you are — to all the callers willing to give me information about locating peanut seeds. Honestly, it is humbling to think you are all out there reading this. What I don’t know about gardening is a lot. I do make up for it in enthusiasm and love of the subject.

By LYNNE IRONS

Well, I squandered perfectly good advice by giving it away while failing to heed it myself. My ornamental grasses were never cut and now, as a result of the snow and ice, are strewn all over in a jumbled mess still attached to the plant. They are woven into neighboring shrubs and are hindering the just-barely-emerging snowdrops and crocus. I see hours spent on a stool making sense of the debacle. I love the word debacle. It can be used interchangeably with train wreck when describing one’s own garden.

By LYNNE IRONS

February is my favorite month. For starters, I share a birthday with Abraham Lincoln. In elementary school I was expected to memorize the Gettysburg Address and build log cabins for history projects. It has been fun this year being his 200th birthday. He looks good for his age, don’t you think? I love the fondness our new president has for the Emancipator.

By LYNNE IRONS