I have been trying to garden for some time, but never had the time until now to get into it seriously. 

I love being outside and am amazed of how complex nature is, with everything finding its place into an equilibrium.  I particularly love to learn  about insects and their role in the ecosystem. I am puzzled by the changes that have happened during my lifetime, with insects finding their way up north that we did not know of before.  This interest was probably triggered by my first summer job while in college, I was hired to supervise a research team on the cabbage worm and how different patches of cabbages were affected depending on the pesticide application.  Among other things I also learned how the potato beetle gives off a potent repellent when they feel threatened and how the asparagus pests are affected by a parasitic wasp and that I really do not like  cabbage worms.  I do not get tired of learning about insects, I even joined the mass Audubon survey for fireflies last summer.  

I play a little bit of piano, and I also enjoy drawing and watercolor painting, but I am a novice in both these fields as well.  

I am looking forward volunteering and meeting and learning from other gardener enthusiasts.  

Judith