Garden trends for 2020 are about sustainability

GARDENING Garden trends for 2020 are about sustainability

By Michele E. Buttelman Signal Staff Writer A plant trends study by horticulturalists with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences revealed gardeners nationwide, as well as the Santa Clarita Valley, will be looking for new and unconventional plant varieties, as well as a new found emphasis on sustainability in 2020. Among the hottest trends Dwarf hybrids

Dwarf hybrids require less pruning and less space. Popular dwarf hybrids include varieties of peaches, apples, plums, apricots and cherries. However, it is important to choose varieties that do well in our relatively mild winters. Purchase your dwarf hybrids locally for the best results. Local garden centers are familiar with which plants grow most successfully in the SCV’s unique microclimate.

There is only one true dwarf variety of avocado tree. It is known as Wurtz or by the nickname “Little Cado,” and is a hybrid of Guatemalan and Mexican varieties. Edible gardens

Consider adding fruit-bearing plants, ornamental vegetables and edible flowers to your landscape. In addition, not all edibles need be for humans, for example plants with berries can attract birds.

Edible flowers include pansies, carnations, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, roses and marigolds.

Everyone can grow food of some kind, you don’t need a sprawling back yard or acreage to grow fresh food. Container gardens of tomatoes and greens on a balcony can be a good way to unleash your inner “farmer.” The easiest vegetables to grow in the SCV are tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, green onions, radishes and beans.

Another option to consider is straw-bale gardening. This garden option is gaining in popularity. As the straw begins to break down, it turns into a rich, compostable planter that’s ideal for growing vegetables, much easier than trying to coax veggies from the SCV’s heavy clay soil.

Dark foliage

Many gardeners want to stand out with unique and different plants to replace cookie-cutter suburban home gardens. One trend is the idea of including plants with red, purple or black leaves. These striking plants can include purple cultivars of basil (Ocimum basilicum) and ornamental pepper (Capsicum annuum). Dark plants are most noticeable in full sun, so plant them accordingly. Unusual succulents

Water-wise gardening is continuing to gain in popularity, especially throughout the southwest. However, gardeners are increasingly looking for lesser-known succulents that offer interesting shapes, textures and growth habits. Succulents are also perfect for small-space gardening, on a balcony, patio or that unused “side” yard. With California now officially experiencing another drought, water-wise gardening is more important than ever before.

One suggestion is Aeonium tabuliforme, or dinner plate aeonium, which grows round and flat and makes a wonderful container plant. Bishop’s cap (Astrophytum myriostigma) is perfect for walkways because it has no thorns and Copiapoa tenuissima is a beautiful succulent, suitable for any garden.

For more information on succulents visit OASIS Water Efficient Gardens in Escondido, www.oasis-plants.com. Landscape for a changing climate In Southern California fire-proof landscape education has taken on new importance with the recent spate of wildfires. If you haven’t taken down that huge Mexican palm tree growing next to your home, the one that turns into a blazing roman candle during a brushfire, now is the time. If you won’t cut it down, at least keep it trimmed. Other tips: Don’t plant ornamenWith California now officially experiencing another drought, water-wise gardening is more important than ever before. PHOTO COURTESY VISIT CALIFORNIA

tal grass or high-resin plants — junipers, conifers or evergreens — close to your house, choose low-growing plants with a high moisture content that makes them less flammable. Attract butterflies and bees

Butterfly gardens have been a “thing” for a while. Now bee gardens are getting a lot of buzz. To attract butterflies and bees plant bee balm, cosmos, echinacea, snapdragons foxglove, hosta, zinnias, sedum, asters, witch hazel and goldenrod. Wilder gardens

Highly manicured lawns and gardens are a thing of the past. Longer lawns and wilder, more natural-looking gardens are gaining in popularity. Experts suggest these changes will encourage beneficial insects and improve the health of your garden. Instead of trimming or pruning shrubs, allow them to grow to their natural shapes. In addition, allowing a few weeds to flower is no longer a gardening taboo. \

Women’s Conference returns to Santa Clarita LOCAL NEWS

By Vivianna Shields Signal Staff Writer C ollege of the Canyons has announced the return of its annual Women’s Conference to take place on March 21 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

“This year’s conference will bring together exciting and diverse sessions for our attendees,” Rian Medlin, director of human resources, higher education at COC, said in a news release.

Rene Callahan, from the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, is this year’s keynote speaker. She specializes in hematology, oncology and internal medicine, according to the release. The presenters and breakout sessions will encapsulate the conference’s theme “Empowered Women: Health, Wellness, and Balance.”

According to the COC news release, workshops throughout the conference will discuss a wide range of topics including: before and after marriage: the legal side of things; caring for aging family members; self-defense; healthy eating on a budget and more.

At the conference, local women-owned businesses will be present selling jewelry and self-defense items. Gyromania will cater the conference. Tickets are $35 to the public and $20 for students and COC staff. Tickets include access to all the activities at the event, breakfast and a raffle ticket, the release said.

Seating is limited, so registering in advance is recommended.

For more information and to register, visit the event’s web page or contact the Women’s Conference event desk at 661-362-3426. \

STANDUP Continued from page 5

late with all of the access that’s out there to the material.

“When you’re writing your own material, you take pride in it, you know? And so that’s why that’s one of the rules. Don’t steal when you’re doing comedy because you should take pride in your work, I think.”

Wynn is on Twitter as @TheFunny Asian and Instagram as @JohnWynn Comedy. Learning what’s funny

Julia Loken, who grew up in Santa Clarita, performs standup and cohosts a podcast — a legal requirement for doing comedy in L.A., she jokes — called “What’s Your Sign?” which combines two of her interests, astrology and humor.

Loken, who started doing comedy at age 24, said the first thing anyone who wants to do standup needs to learn is the mechanics of telling a joke, and being comfortable on stage with a mic.

After performing on stage for nearly eight years, she still sees herself as defining her voice, but you also learn a lot of lessons pretty quickly once you start getting on stage, she added.

“You find out what you think is funny about you isn’t necessarily what other people think is funny about you,” Loken said.

“I think there is a certain amount of decision to it,” she said, in terms of how a comedian can find their subject matter: “What do I want to talk about? What do I have opinions about? What are things that bother me?”

Paul Moomjean performs in to a packed house at J.R.’s Comedy Club in Valencia on Valentine’s Day. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

And then it’s a matter of getting on stage and practicing the timing until you get it right. You might not always feel like the person in power when you’re on stage, but Loken’s attitude is: Everyone’s “on the same team, and you just want to have fun.”

Loken’s podcast can be found at whatsyoursignpod.libsyn.com, and also on Instagram @julialoken, @ whatsyoursignpodcast. Roll with the punches

An enjoyment of being on stage is definitely an important trait for most standups, but just as important, said Easton Gage, a 26-year-old SCV native, is being able to roll with the punches.

“If you screw up with a joke you’ve been working on or a line, don’t stop it, try and retell the joke,” said Gage, a standup comedian who also writes for the animated series “The Tom and Jerry Show.” “You know, acknowledge it in your head, and say, ‘OK, we can find the funny in this. I butchered it, but we’ll find the funny.’”

In Gage’s opinion, even if someone who wants to try comedy gets up on stage, that’s basically half the battle won already. As far as joke-telling, there are no rules, but he did offer one bit of advice on things to avoid: Don’t use racial slurs.

“If you can’t say the racial slur, do not say the racial slur,” he cautioned. While it might seem obvious, it’s a scenario Gage had to deal with, indirectly.

“I did a show in Lancaster with a white comic who used the N-word,” Gage said, adding there were death threats from the audience before the comic finished his set.

“And then the host came up to me and he said, ‘Hey, you’re next,’ and I went, ‘Oh, no — no, I’m not.’ I said, ‘I think I’ll just watch this one. I can’t … I can’t be a part of this.’ He said, ‘No, win ’em back.’ I said I don’t know if you’re looking at me. …

“I won ’em back,” said the brownhaired, blue-eyed caucasian former model, “by saying, ‘Man, I hate white people.’”

Easton Gage is on Instagram as @ EastonGage.

J.R.’s Comedy Club in Mimi’s at 24201 Magic Mountain Parkway is hosting one of the many stages for The World Series of Comedy, an annual competition, from Feb. 26-29. \

Sky Blue Track 4 bedrooms 2 baths Covered patio 2-car attached garage Canyon Country View Home Gail Kopp Broker Associate DRE # 01059833 Realty Executives SCV 661-313-4062 19744 Merryhill Street, Canyon Country 91351 BUSINESS Potential passive income streams to make ends meet J obs may be how many people earn their money, but there are other ways to generate income that may not require the level of effort of a nine-to-five gig.

Passive income streams can be a great way to earn substantial amounts of money. Passive income can be earned through investing in stocks, money market funds, real estate, livestock, or savings bonds. Lending money also can provide passive income. Though such income streams are described as "passive," they require an investment of time and/or money to get started.

Passive income streams enable the average person to make some extra money without taking on a full-time job. Unlike active income, where the more you work the more you earn, passive income often generates a flat level of return over time without the same level of commitment.

Passive revenue streams are continually evolving. Modern passive investments are varied, and can include the following ideas. Home-rental service

Popular sites like Vacation Rental By Owner (Vrbo®) and Airbnb put interested parties in touch with potential landlords. Vacation property owners or people who do not spend a lot of time at a primary residence may find this is a lucrative way to earn some extra money. Properties located in popular tourist areas may garner considerable income. Digital products

Digital items, such as expert advice guides, books, informational articles, digital photography, digital artwork, and more can be sold online. The product only needs to be created once, and then it can be sold infinite more times to generate an ongoing revenue stream. Peer-to-peer lending

According to the financial wellness site MyMoneyWizard.com, peer-topeer lending (P2P) is the practice of lending money to borrowers who may not qualify for traditional loans. P2P is a growing market that removes large financial institutions from the lending process. Lenders serve as the "bank," and the consumer pays interest on the principal. The loans can be handled through an intermediary like The Lending Club, which is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Real estate investment trusts Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, offer the benefits of being a landlord without the hassle of dealing with fixing broken pipes or handling rowdy tenants. REITs are like stocks in real estate market. You purchase a share in a company that owns, manages or invests in various real estate properties. The higher the dividend rates the higher the risk, so investors must weigh REIT considerations carefully.

Passive income streams are another way to earn extra money and can be lucrative for those who take time to invest. (MC) \

BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN HOME!!! Anthony Bedgood DRE# 02006273 661-523-2564 Anthonybedgood@gmail.com Are you looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city life, whether its just for the weekend, or PERMANENTLY? Come and look at this home in Pine Mountain Club, Santa Clarita's best kept secret! !is 2,304 sq " Log Cabin home has rural charm mixed with practical layout and a LOT of STORAGE!!. Large Covered Front Porch! 3 Bedrooms plus a Bonus Room. 1 Full bath and 2 half baths. Master bedroom on the top #oor as well as a recently converted Master Bedroom on the bottom #oor. !e property is just over a Quarter Acre of USABLE land! Also, close to the heart of Pine Mountain Club where you will enjoy restaurants, the local festivals, golf course, hiking trails, and much more! FANTASTIC VACATION HOME, OR PERMANENT RESIDENCE!!! Come see for yourself!!!!

Beautiful Property ~ Beautiful Home

35356 Sierra Vista Dr, Agua Dulce 91390 $1,099,000

Country Estate on easily one of the most beautiful pieces of property in all of Agua Dulce! Single story, Hacienda style ranch house, 4,080 sf, 5 Bedrooms/4 bathrooms. Spacious kitchen with Center Island. Formal Dining room. Family-room with raised hearth !replace and wet bar. "e Master suite has a !replace & giant walk-in closet. Absolutely stunning park like 7.2 #at and usable acres is completely fenced and private. 3 car garage. Incredible views from everywhere on the property. "is property will not disappoint. Marilyn Garner State Lic: 01484482 Office: 661-904-1323 www.MarilynMerlotinSCV.com MarilynMerlot@sbcglobal.net

Let’s Make A Deal

4 beds 3 full baths~ 3,194 sq! ~11,217 sq! lot. Built in 1987 Single Family Residence. Magni"cent VICTORIAN one of a kind home with studio above garage could be yours. Exquisite detail from the moment you enter...

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4+5 – 2942 sq !, Gorgeous executive home behind the gates in West Hills. Lo! room with private bath could be 5th bedroom. Downstairs bed and bath with private entrance. $759,000 Gorgeous Executive Home

Dean Cox RE/MAX of Valencia CalBRE #01331788 661-644-6120

Beautiful Updated Estrella Vista home with solar! 4 bedrooms,3 bathrooms and a separate air conditioned Casita! Many upgrades. Entry with Custom Tile. Wrought iron staircase leads you upstairs to a huge loft. Formal living room and dining room. Kitchen updated with granite and stainless steel appliances. Downstairs bedroom and full bathroom. Beautiful views of the mountains. Wonderful back yard with a spa included. $749.900 28462 Redwood Canyon Pl Saugus, CA 91390

CARLOTTA LEVY “You deserve to be treated like Royalty!” Phone:(661)714-3559 bobandcarlotta@sbcglobal.net Dre# 01311715

Santa Clarita Valley

Beautiful Cra!sman Home in San Gabriel 125 Country Club Dr $1,788,000

5 BD | 3 BA | 1 HB | 4,475 SF Come live on the best street in San Gabriel! !is large, beautifully restored and updated Cra"sman home has (5) bedrooms, (3) of which are suites overlooking the San Gabriel Country Club golf course. !e family room has a #replace and view of the large deck, refurbished pool, and a park like yard with fruit trees. !e master bedroom has a dressing room and beautiful bathroom with a soaker tub, and great stall shower. (4) other large bedrooms are upstairs. (2) new HVAC systems, updated electrical, #nished basement, over-sized garage, raised boxed organic garden area and Koi pond make this home a must see!

Gary Wat THEAGENCY Cell: 626.236.2709 gary.wat@theagencyre.com CalBRE##01968039

26477 Fairway Circle, Newhall, CA 91321 ELLIE LACY - (661) 341-6226 CalBRE # 0040871 - EllieCLacy@yahoo.com

!is charming unit features upgraded kitchen and baths. !ere is Pergo style "ooring thru-out and plantation shutters as well as dual paned windows. !e delightful entertainers patio is accessed by dual opening sliders and the setting for summer parties is exceptional. Lush landscaping gives added ambiance. !is Senior guard gated community is patrolled 24/7 and has all the usual country club amenities including two golf courses. !ere are clubs galore and a little theater group, a City of Hope chapter is a great way to get involved in the community as is the community church. Senior lunch program at the church is an added plus. Come join the fun! You can be as active as you wish or just enjoy the quiet life style....$475,000

Located just 40 miles north of Los Angeles. 5 houses built on a high plateau with 360 degree unobstructed views of the Sierra Pelona Mountains and beyond. Built in 2009 the single story main house is 3+3, and is 2,908 sf of understated elegance. !e other 4, more rustic, houses range in size from 822 to 1,204 sf and are ideal for the ultimate family compound or corporate retreat. A huge resort style patio with pool & spa, Tennis Court, helicopter garage, airplane hangar, pond, mature trees and 3 wells are also included on the property. Sierra Bonita 80 acre ranch Located in Agua Dulce - $13,500,000 Marilyn Garner REALTOR® Lic. 01484482 Realty Executives Agua Dulce 661-904-1323 www.MarilynMerlotinscv.com SierraBonitaRanch.com

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MOUNTAIN AND VINEYARD VIEWS surround this beautiful home located in Agua Dulce, Spanish for “Sweet Water”. !is A-Frame home features a remodeled kitchen with high end "nishes, stainless steel appliances, and gorgeous granite counters with large center island. Other features include updated bathrooms, warm wood and vinyl plank #oors, and sand-blasted oak wood beams, to give the home a cozy cabin feel. Gaze at the majestic views from the private deck o$ of the second-level master bedroom. Enjoy year-round living with central air and heating. A workshop shed is out back for storage, home projects or hobby enthusiasts. Not included in the square footage is a detached bonus room measuring approximately 19’ x 10’ with 2 entries, upgraded electrical and equipped with cable and gas, and is perfect for guests, kids and pets. !is turn-key home o$ers a quiet lifestyle, yet is centrally located Northeast of Santa Clarita with easy access to the 405, 5, 210 and 14 freeways. Priced to sell! Hurry this home won’t last! Call for Open House dates, easy to show. $550,000 34718 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce 91390

Just minutes from SCV. Enjoy all 4 seasons on this 20+ acre ranch Home is 6247 sq. !. with incredible VIEWS $1,499,000 8072 Cuddy Valley Road in Frazier Park

23901 Windward Lane Valencia 91355 4 + 3.5 with 3,255 sq.ft, Fantastic Location/Community, Includes Spacious Loft and Office! Move-In-Ready! $848,500 Large Private Patio!!! Lake View Home in Valencia Bridgeport!

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Opinion

Unless otherwise stated, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of The Signal.

OUR VIEW

Election Is Under Way, So Don’t Miss Your Chance

By The Signal Editorial Board T he race is o!cially on. "anks to Los Angeles County’s new system of voting, it’s more convenient than ever to cast your vote in the March 3 primary and the special election for the 25th Congressional District. "at’s because the election isn’t only happening on March 3. "at’s right: Even if you aren’t one of those who prefers to vote by mail, and you’d rather opt for the interactive experience of casting your vote in person, you can vote now — and you don’t have to hunt down one particular location to cast your vote.

Gone are the precinct-speci#c polling places, with their limited hours and ultra-speci#c geographic availability. Now, you can vote at any one of a number of voting centers countywide, on any day within the 11-day window leading up to March 3. To #nd those centers and their hours, visit lavote.net — and get out there and vote. TTT For your consideration, below we offer a reminder of "e Signal’s endorsements for the primary and special election. Our endorsement editorial, elaborating on some of these recommendations, appeared in last Sunday’s edition.

Now go out there and be good Americans, and make your voice heard — wherever and whenever it’s most convenient. \

OUR ENDORSEMENTS

The following are The Signal Editorial Board's recommendations on the March 3 Primary Election ballot. We are recommending both Republican and Democratic candidates in some partisan races. Republicans • U.S. Representative, 25th District (Primary and Unexpired Term): Mike Garcia • State Senate, 21st District: Scott Wilk • State Assembly, 36th District: Tom Lackey • State Assembly, 38th District: Suzette Martinez Valladares Democrats • U.S. Representative, 25th District (Primary and Unexpired Term): Christy Smith • State Senate, 27th District: Henry Stern • State Assembly, 38th District: Annie E. Cho, Kelvin Driscoll Non-Partisan Races • Los Angeles County Supervisor, 5th District: Kathryn Barger • Los Angeles County District Attorney: Jackie Lacey • Judge of the Superior Court No. 76: Emily Cole • Judge of the Superior Court No. 162: Scott Andrew Yang Ballot Measures • California Proposition 13, School and College Facilities Bond: No

ETHICALLY SPEAKING

In Search of Beauty, and Its Meaning for Us All

By David Hegg I n the academic arena, the study of philosophy is usually broken down into the areas of metaphysics, ethics and aesthetics. "e last of these seeks to understand the area of beauty, its nature and its bene#ts. We all understand at some level the need for ethics in order for society to move along in some ordered and managed fashion.

Ethics are the norms we share, to which we submit, in order to live together in a way that bene#ts us all. Of course, some engage in unethical behavior and so the need arises for laws and those who enforce them.

But if ethics allow for the ordering of community life, it is beauty that makes life enjoyable.

Beauty is to life what taste is to food, and color is to art. Beauty infuses gladness into the passage of time and reminds the heart that life was certainly intended to be more than mere existence.

When we think of beauty, we most o$en consider something pleasing to the eye. And certainly that which is visually pleasing can be beautiful. But here is where we run into the dilemma around which the study of aesthetics o$en winds itself. Just what constitutes beauty?

And once we determine this, what other areas of perception are capable of assessing and perceiving beauty?

Certainly the ear and the nose and the tongue can #nd the notes, aromas, and tastes of life beautiful. And isn’t it also true that our minds and hearts can be the recipients of beauty in the form of thoughts and nuances that even those deprived of physical senses could know?

It is not my intention here to take us all down the deep, dark hole of aesthetical theory. But I can suggest that, if we did, we would #nd that beauty is, indeed, “in the eye of the beholder.” "at is, each of us assess beauty and bene#t from it in our own way, according to our own standards, motivated by our own unique set of life experiences.

Simply put, what I think is beautiful may not be so to you. And a trip together to a modern art gallery would probably be all the proof either of us would need!

Of course, the pervasive cultural norms of a society will in some measure set standards for what may be considered beautiful.

An example is the way the feminine form has been portrayed down through the history of #ne art. What was beautiful to Reubens is a far cry from the models in the latest fashion magazine. And something as simple as dress styles demonstrates that the broad conception of beauty changes year by year.

What looked great at the party three years ago would be mocked today. But, hold on to it because in 15 years or so your kids will think it's rockin’ retro.

Given that beauty is, to a large extent, determined by the beholder in concert with some of the trends of the day, what can we say about the very nature of beauty? Does it exist? And if so, what is the connection between beauty and the enjoyment of life, if any?

My view is that beauty does exist, but it is not to be found in the object considered beautiful. While we think that snow-capped moun

Contact: Tim Whyte, Signal Editor Phone: 661-287-5591 | Email: letters@signalscv.com Mail: 26330 Diamond Place, Suite 100, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

BLACK& WHYTE

A Tale of 2 Men, 2 Guns, and 2 GoFundMe Pages

By Tim Whyte Signal Editor T he men started their days di!erently on Feb. 2. Nick Durghalli went to work at his small business. He didn’t plan on that day changing his life.

Brandon Burris, 25, started his day with a di!erent intent. He was going to rob a liquor store — the one owned by Nick Durghalli. Burris entered the Golden Stop, at Sierra Highway and Golden Valley Road, armed with a handgun. But things didn’t go as planned for Burris, because Durghalli had a gun, too. What ensued was a shootout that wounded the store owner and le" the robber dead, shot six times.

When deputies arrived, they found Durghalli, bleeding, trying to crawl out of his store. A deputy dragged him to safety, not immediately knowing whether a shooter was still inside. Sheri!’s o#cials say the store owner acted in self-defense. When I $rst read our news story, my gut reaction was: “Good for him. %is was a proper exercise of his Second Amendment rights.” As has become de rigueur a"er a fatality, GoFundMe pages went up. As you might expect, there was one for the store owner, who su!ered injuries and, I’m sure, some business losses, too. %e page for Durghalli set a goal of $10,000, and the intro reads: “Let’s rally around our friend Nick... He had a gun pulled on him and someone attempted to rob him not only of his livelihood, but of his life! %ank God my friend exercised his Second Amendment rights and was able to save his customer and his own life! Let’s wrap our arms around Nick, and let him know Santa Clarita supports him and he is a true hero!” %e page has raised $1,610. %at’s $5,596 less than what’s been raised on the GoFundMe page for the family of Burris, the robber. %e intro to that page reads: “As this was very sudden to our family, we are asking for any help that can be provided to us in this devastating time. Brandon leaves behind his parents, a praying great-grandmother and grandmother, a son Elijah Burris, a host of brothers and sisters, as well as many family members! Due to Brandon’s untimely death, the family is struggling to provide him with the proper burial. Please assist us as we lay Brandon to rest at his $nal destination. Rest in heaven as well as peacefully, Brandon ‘G Monk’ Burris! We love you unconditionally.”

When I saw the totals, I was taken aback: $7,206 for the robber, and $1,610 for the man he tried to rob. %ere’s an incongruity to that. I don’t begrudge anyone for helping Burris’ family. I don’t know what demons he battled, or what led to his fateful decision. None of those answers would make his loss any less devastating for his family. %e people who loved him, unconditionally, are hurting, dealing with unexpected loss.

I get it. It’s similar to how I felt about the GoFundMe for the family of the shooter who killed two classmates at Saugus High on Nov. 14 before killing himself. He wasn’t the victim, he was the shooter. But he had family members who loved him and were grieving. And yet... while I hate to reduce such things to something as cold as numbers... $7,206 for the shooter’s family, and $1,610 for the man he tried to rob, who su!ered physical and $nancial wounds, and will live the rest of his life knowing that, even though it was justi$ed, he took a life. %ere’s just something “o!” about that.

Opinion

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS JEFF STAHLER

HEGG Continued from page 38

tain is beautiful, it is so because of the way it excites our vision, stirs our passion, and brings a sense of wellbeing.

Simply put, beauty is what exists when I respond positively to something that plays on my senses, my emotions, or my memory. It is my response that creates the sensation we call beauty, and further, it is this sensation that is vital to the enjoyment of life. %e search for this sensation is a driving force in our lives. %at trip to the mall, or an evening at the symphony, and any other kind of leisure activity in between all may be seen as a determined, intentional search for beauty.

Whether it is found in that new sweater, or the magni$cent interplay between the sounds and timbre of the orchestral instruments, we know beauty when we $nd it. And when we $nd it, we feel it. And that feeling reminds us that life is to be enjoyed, and not just lived.

It is also my belief that, fundamentally, we are addicted to beauty. I mean this in the sense that lives that are deprived of beauty become narrower and shallower and lose

that vibrancy that is essential to what we might call a full life. %is also means that we are incomplete in ourselves, for we cannot provide the very things we need for life. Like food, water, and air, beauty has to be supplied to us from outside of ourselves.

Turns out we are not independent, but very much dependent on an outside source for all of these essentials. I suppose that God could have created a universe much di!erent than this one. He could have le" us with only two &avors, or only six colors, and maybe only $ve notes and one octave.

He could have done this, and we would never have known.

But, graciously, He has lavished on us myriad colors and sounds and combinations of &avors. And beyond this gracious display, He has also granted us the privilege of relationship with one another, which is the greatest beauty, and the promise of eternal beauty in relationship to Him through Jesus Christ. Now that’s a beautiful life.

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