I�m having a spring fever like none I can recall. It has been soooo beautiful in our little corner of the world. It actually is somewhat hard to imagine all of the bad weather up north. I usually write about muscles and body parts in general, but I thought I�d write just a bit on a great little experience I had.

Since it is my job to keep everyone stress free with massage, what de-stresses the "massager"? I seem to be happiest when playing in the dirt. I have been known to order tons of mulch and dirt and spend way too much money on plants. I had heard about a company called Earthbox near here in Ellenton. My friend and I often putz around over the Skyway to orchid farms and to Roy Amersons. I was interested in learning more and found that Earthbox has a class every Saturday at 10:00 AM.

I "putzed" over to Ellenton (Take the Mall exit but go Right to Ellenton-Gillette and go right until you run into Earthbox Nursery) and was absolutely delighted by the class. A 70 year old gentleman by the name of Blake Whisenant has been perfecting this method of growing boxes for more than a decade. When you pull up you�ll see that he has been very successful! Huge boxes of petunias and geraniums. Towering tomato and vegetable boxes make up most of the front of the nursery.

Mr. Whisenant is a natural performer. He has the class and the growing methods down to a science. It was a great way to spend an hour. If you are even remotely interested in plants, I highly suggest it. Many in the class had been there many times and more than half of the class were Northerners taking the boxes back home to wow their neighbors. What a delightful time. I�ll let you know how my tomato, petunia and herb box turn out!

Another great place to go if you are into orchids is Louis Del Favero�s Nursery in Tampa. Orchids become an obsession and this is a great way to feed it. The prices are great and Louis, his wife and all of the employees will talk to you about orchids until you have had YOU blossom. Its obvious that they are passionate about their flowers. The peacocks wandering about just add to the atmosphere.

Surrounding yourself in greenery and digging in the dirt is just what the massage therapist orders!

For more information on Earthboxes: www.earthbox.com

For more info on Louis Del Favero Orchids: 813-961-8277