THE GARDEN CENTER'S GRIP

SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENS when gardeners enter a garden center. We change. Suddenly, somehow, we're overcome with this vague yet powerful, transcendental feeling of liberation, and we become aware of money we probably have and hopefully won't otherwise need.

- Tom Beuerlein

It's like, mentally, we become much richer people. Embraced by racks and racks filled to the gills with beautiful and amazing plants, entranced by nooks and crannies crammed with globes and gizmos, wowed by walls of tools, potions and pottery, we wallow in wonder. And we see visions, and dream dreams.

We see a new and better future of great beauty and comfort, good health, ecological abundance and balance. Admittedly we also might see ourselves at the center of fabulous garden parties-in our own damn garden!-with dozens of dazzled guests. So why would we, or even how could we, possibly resist a few impulse purchases?