Solace in the Garden

I find solace in the garden.  My uncle died 7 days ago. I went home and walked the paths he walked. Attending the funeral surrounded by family I felt the love of family he had.
My uncle lead an amazing life. He traveled the world. Told amazing stories.  He and my Aunt loved each other very much. They set a precedence for my life forgiveness and love. One of his favorite places was the park near his house. In his memory here are pictures of the garden and the views surrounding it.
I love you Uncle Curly until we meet again.

The last few days

The last few days have been difficult. We have received word my Uncle is dying. He has been in long term care for the last several years suffering from Dementia. We have been losing him for a long time.  Uncle Curly was always an active man, an intelligent man, who danced through life and cherished it. He and my aunt Jane lost their daughter when she was 15. His strength got us through. He is a second father to me and my siblings.  He is a joker, a caring man, and my Aunts heart. He does not remember us. We have a few days his kidneys are failing. I am torn between the relief that he won't be suffering any more and the loss of not being able to see his face and hug him.
Say prayers for us.

Sometimes a picture is all you need...

Mother's Day

My first memories are of my mother holding my hand walking in tall multi-colored flowers. A lady we knew always had these tall zinnias growing in her yard. To this day I can't look at a flower without thinking of her, my Aunt Jane and my grandmother. I think that is the beginning of this passion I have for flowers. My yard is full of flowers from divided plants in her and my aunt Jane's gardens. These women nurtured me, taught me and loved me.
 I have memories of the raids on old house lots about to be bulldozed with a shovel and a prayer that the plant would make it. All the giggling as we dug into the soil and carried off our treasures. Laughing about being arrested for grand theft plant.  As you grow older you suddenly find yourself thinking about all the things your mother has done for you and with you. All the pain you have suffered together, all the joy and all the things to come.  My love of plants comes from a long tradition from mother to daughter,  aunt to niece...I can hold in my hands the plants that have been cultivated in my family for a hundred years. You may see just peonies and iris and tulips but I see my mother, my Aunt and my grandmother.  I see Family...

Day off Dirt Dawbers!

After having an allergy attack (which I think was heat induced in the 90's here) I decided today to just enjoy the day not plow head long into weeding, snail picking, watering and well you know. The last few weeks have been obsessive planting weeding plotting my next move, next plant. I'm thinking about trying to get up all my excess plants and seeds for a yard sale. I have dozens of things I planted from seed that need a home! Let me know if you've done this before. How it turned out and what I need to know before hand! Have a dirty day!

Weird garden rules...

There is this argument going on about bare earth gardening. Most people remove the weeds, leaves and grass cuttings when they garden. There is a man who uses the bible to garden. He thinks you should use wood-chips, leaves and compost. Check it out on you tube...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM_gtZb8qyk
Last year we noticed a decrease in bees, butterflies and hummingbirds in our garden. I read an article where the natural plants and  habitats were vanishing because people wanted lawns and often chose flowers that were hybridized to the point that the insects and birds could not access the nectar.  Pesticides were wrecking havoc on our environment, So this year our yard is less lawn and more natural plants and I am using insecticidal soaps, and picking bugs off instead of being spray happy. Yes Weeds! Violets, milkweed, dandelions and clover now riddle our yard to the dismay of several neighbors. We decided not to mow as often. It's only been a few short weeks of spring and we have seen more butterflies and bees. Although I have yet to see the hummingbirds returning to my garden.
I've stopped being neurotic about raking leaves and started putting them over areas I want to make into flower beds. There is now a pile of wood-chips composting on the side of the house and we are composting more and more. Weeding is still one of my daily habits but I am merely keeping them from over running my flowers and it really doesn't look that bad. Take a look...