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42 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MAY 2020 | What a beautiful time of the year. Spring is popping out all over. I'm thinking gardening should be your go-to quarantine activity. If you've got a garden, just get out there and enjoy it because and it's therapeutic, you're out there with nature. At this time of year as well, the birds are singing, they're mating and everything like that, so it's fantastic to be outside and enjoy nature. Less stress and a fun hobby. Small space, no problem. Try container gardening which is also fun. You can take a stab at growing your own vegetables, or blooming plants with little to no effort. If you planted an Amaryllis bulb it should be in bloom, or soon blooming, as should some of the spring flowers such as Irises, Peonies, Lilacs, Magnolias, Heather, Pansies, Johnny Jump Ups, and Freesia to name a few; some shade azaleas have also bloomed. According to Teleflora, the most popular plants in April/May spring flowers are Sweet Peas, Tulips, Gerber Daisies and Carnations. Remember during the lockdown, you still have many small moments to savor, e.g., the smell of coffee, the feel of the warm shower on your back and so on. When you stop to take in these moments, rather than let them rush by you on autopilot, you are giving your brain a chance to process the pleasure, which boosts your serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain that helps elevate your mood and makes you feel calm. By tuning into these small silver linings, you can potentially change your brain chemistry and build up your energy stores to help you cope with the other aspects of your day that have been made more difficult. Let's try having some fun: we challenge you, as you walk around our beautiful neighborhood, to see if you can recognize the plants that are in full bloom during May, or even some that are blooming in your own garden. Then take a picture and send it to Kretch48@ gmail.com or barbed1951@aol.com. We're starting a newsletter and will send it out to our Garden Club members sharing these beautiful photos. Tell us an interesting antidote about where the picture was taken and what the flower is, or if you don't know we'll ask our experts. If you want to ensure we have your current email address so you can participate, contact Barbara Elness our Treasurer at barbed1951@ aol.com. She'll make sure you are on the master list. The important thing is let's make this a fun adventure, like a Sun Lakes Garden Club scavenger hunt. Until we meet again at our Garden Club Meeting, stay safe and let's play our flower game. ~ The Garden Club Board Garden Club "If clouds are blocking the sun, there will always be a silver lining that reminds me to keep on trying." Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.