People seem friendlier. Colors are brighter. Food tastes better. The world is transformed with shimmering newness.     What causes the rush of good feeling we call romantic love?

For the best harvest, plan before you plant. Crowded plants that have to compete for light do not produce a good crop and often have disease and insect problems. Here’s how I plant my garden to give each plant the best chance.     Sweet corn should be planted in blocks, not single rows. Four to five short rows of sweet corn sown six to eight inches apart in two-foot-wide rows will produce higher quality ears due to better pollination.

Balloons were fresh on my mind when the Heart Healthy Foundation sent the press release announcing a balloon release to kick off Heart Health Month.     The Annapolis-based foundation was releasing 200 heart-shaped balloons spaced at 33 second intervals. That’s how often an American dies from heart-related diseases.     A few weeks earlier, I’d written about balloons in a very different context: as killers of sea turtles. (Read the story at http://bayweekly.com/node/15208)

  Kim Forry calls dances to the electric music of Broadside Kinetic for American contra and square dancing. No experience or partner needed. Bring snacks to share. Introductory session at 6:30pm; dancing 7-10pm at Annapolis Friends Meeting Hall, 351 Dubois Rd., Annapolis. $10 w/discounts: 443-540-0864: www.contradancers.com/atds.