“What’s it all About Alfie, is it just for the moment we live?” Old song, good question. I know I haven’t posted for a while. I needed some time to really grieve my losses, to accept them and then move my collective memories to their places in my heart. It hasn’t been easy. One never gets over grief, one simply moves through it, taking the heartbreak and turning it into lessons akin to wisdom. For me the gardens are usually a place where I go and while toiling, work through challenges, problems, questions, and where I also happily expend creative energy. I cannot tell you how many rooms I have designed in my mind, how many garden ideas have flowed. Many of these have come full circle to actual fruition. Some dilemmas remain just that, and perhaps in a quiet moment over a cup of tea or a glass of wine and chocolate (chocolate can help a lot!), out of the blue a solution pops into my mind. Early on this spring, because of record rains and crazy weather melding into the issues surrounding grief, I decided not to plant many of the oversized pots that are placed around the many pocket gardens. When there was no break in the weather, I also determined that trying to plant annuals in the ground would be a waste. Unusual, because the gardens have always been a go to place for contemplation and quiet thoughts, but the weather seemed to pound my spirit flat. The continental U.S. had its hottest May and the third-hottest June, and for us constant rain as well. It ended up being a good choice. I lost some perennials to the constantly saturated soil. Yet others thrived in it, and new shrubs we planted just a bit more than a year ago thrived. Seeds dropped to the ground from spent flowers and missed by the birds over the winter managed to germinate and grow because of the constant rain. Seeds brought to me by the wind or with the help of animals flourished, as if nature was offering some healing grace. The ebb and flow in a garden reminds one of the cycles all life moves through. July and August brought even more rain and heat, but between the clouds opening up, I felt a pull back into the gardens, serendipity at work, as I began to notice the flowers growing and blooming where I had done no planting, so I continued to pull the remaining oak seedlings, and the weeds that seem to grow no matter the weather, while grateful for the flowers blooming that I had nothing to do with.
I also used the time away to do some writing for a couple of books, and I look forward to getting them finished. In a brief break in the weather we also cleaned and re-stained the deck, but the weather never allowed for utilizing it. All the other major home maintenance is waiting for cooler, cooperative weather and time that will let us complete them.
I also did begin writing many posts, and the list is long- from gardening to design of interiors to homes to color and much more. I still have much to share. To those of you new here, welcome!
Today I thought I would share some photos of my gardens. They aren’t as full and colorful as usual, but not bad for the kind of weather we have experienced. And believe it or not, every last one of the thousands of oak seedlings are gone from every garden space. No mean feat either. As I said at each successful tug and removal of a tap root….take that you darn ole acorn, or “yeah, I win”. Heh, you have to take the wins where you can get them!
On Saturday I first heard about Hurricane Florence. It has rained so much this summer that I just assumed it would continue so I paid little notice to weather reports. Well, that changed. We are in a direct hit line so preparations have begun. KBJ went and got a second generator to power the water pump as we most likely will loose power. Gathering important papers, and protecting items inside and outside the house. For our area the biggest threat at this time is flooding, as they predict a foot of rain to add to already saturated ground. Trees coming down will be a concern and as most of you know, I live in the woods with huge oak trees. All we can do is prepare and deal with it. I hope all of you in effected areas will take warnings seriously and prepare. I have dear friends with ocean properties and I am so praying that their homes can make it through without loss. If any of you, my dear followers, are also in the risk zone, please take care and stay safe.
Thanks, and so glad you stopped by. laters, charisse
I’ve missed you here, but understand the time you needed. I will be thinking of you over these next several days.
So happy to hear from u. You are an inspiration to me. Gardens are beautiful. Judy
Your gardens are magnificent! So good to hear from you.💕