Eternal hope

"Gardening is, by its very nature, an expression of the triumph of optimism over experience. No matter how bad this year was there is always next year. Experience doesn't count. Just because the carrots have been knobby, misshapen, and somewhat bitter four years in a row doesn't mean that they are going to be knobby and misshapen next year. No, sir, next year you will (1)work in twice as much compost and peat; (2) plant a new improved variety: or (3) get lucky. Or even better you can forget carrots and plant something exotic like blue cauliflower. Because each year starts with a clean slate, and because of the phenomenon I call garden amnesia, the garden ensures eternal hope."

William Alexander, quoted from The $64 Tomato