The Gardens of Baghdad

We know how plants and gardens revive stressed-out New Yorkers. Just imagine what they can do for war-weary Iraqis. There's a story in Sunday's New York Times about the resurgence of gardening, especially topiaries, in Baghdad. As Muhi Mohammed Hussein, the man shown here manicuring the eagle in front of his home, explained, "Iraq has suffered for a long time, so now I'm trying to give a smile back to Iraq with beautiful plants." Another gardener noted that taking care of his garden allowed him to forget the war. His "refuge from violence" isn't quite so well maintained now. "When the situation is good, you're too busy with work," he said, an observation many New Yorkers can agree with.