TO EVERY THING A SEASON

Gladsome, hopeful meditations on nature and humanity by an Oklahoma newspaper columnist. She takes as her text the familiar observations of the Preacher, but does not share his conclusion that ""there is nothing new under the sun."" Among the new things Mrs. Hifler reveals are the face of spring (it has the ""smooth, smiling face of a child, glowing warm and bubbling with vitality"") and the power of optimism (""how can we know what abundance we may reap. . . if we plant the best seeds and expect the best that life has to offer?""). Many maxims; many rhapsodic encounters with soul and self. Delicate line drawings celebrate the trees and the breeze. For the reflective housewife who likes to cultivate her garden. . . with mulch.