THE GARDEN

      Plenty.  Plenty is often the illusive word which seldom accompanies the description of the contents of my wallet.  Plenty does describe the space in our backyard appointed to a garden.  Last week, 17 year old Want asks my husband, Ern, why we plant a garden.  Ern's boldly stated answer comes swift, "to save money!"  Almost choking on my last bite of dinner, I manage to keep the amused smile to myself.

      The inevitable 17 year challenge shoots back rebounding from the parental proclamation.  "How does the garden save us money Dad?"  "We save grocery money of course," replies Ern, still confident in his position.  Out comes the mental calculator.  "How much do you spend in seeds and plants. . .Mom?"  And I am instantly thrust into the center of the discussion vortex, not a spot I particularly enjoy as both tried to use me to support their point of view.  After itemizing the costs including soil, water, fertilizer, rototiller rental and my own labor costs which become a point of dispute; Want drops the ax.  "How many vegetables do you think we got from the garden last year?"  "Uh," last year was a drought.  "Well, the vegetables gave us lots of vitamins that we didn't get from store bought food,"   I offer.  "So, we saved in medicine and medical bills!" smiles my husband, triumphantly.  "Actual expenses and income make this garden a financial disaster!" Want announces on his way to the refrigerator to begin his after-dinner dinner.  "It still saves us money," mutters Ern as he heads off to balance the checkbook.  Yes, the garden saves us. . .well, I'm still thinking on that one!