Gorgeous weather this morning. Brilliant sunshine, clear skies, soft rain-washed air. Southern California at its sparkling best.

About 10 days ago the seeds went into the ground, and here and there I see tiny feathery seed leaves poking into the air, in pairs (which is why they're called dicotyledons). It's strange to see this extensive bare patch of ground populated (if you look closely) by the bits of green, here and there.

The red ones are beets, of course. Mostly red, anyway. Nearly the same color as the dirt, they are really hard to see.

I get so excited at the promise given by tiny plants obeying the commands of the cells in the seed to form leaves, stems, etc. The promise of growth, the promise of photosynthesis, the earth's promise of renewal. I am thankful to be alive, part of the web of life.

I can't be blase about the most basic process of all; I find myself wanting to respond in kind. (Is it spring yet?)