Her heart was a secret garden and the walls were very high.” ― William Goldman, The Princess Bride “For you little gardener and lover of trees, I have only a small gift. Here is set G for Galadriel, but it may stand for garden in your tongue. In this box there is earth from my orchard, and such blessing as Galadriel has still to bestow … Continue reading How Does My Garden Grow?
It’s astonishing how patterned, and straightforward my tastes have become over the years. From a love of wild, blooming nature, to, well, perhaps a more subtle, and by design, perhaps a more natural look at my gardens. When I’ve been out within the wilds, there is symmetry at play, even in the wildest, deepest nooks. It’s there, in the spiral of pinecones, or flocks of … Continue reading The Ritual Of The Garden
The last couple years I was living at the lake, I found three four-leaf clovers – Magic Is Alive At The Lake. With each of them, I just remember looking down, and there it was. It always happens the same way. It’s like it stands right out all of asudden. I’m always on the look-out, but not a one since. So, whilst out admiring the … Continue reading Tis A Sorrel Lot
Some plants can be said to be hardy, others delicate and needy. Orchids can be such a beast, needy. Other houseplants, like Spider Plants and Philodendron’, less so. The Oxalis, well, this lovely gem stands somewhat on its own. It tis BOTH hardy and delicate, though not at all needy. Just water when dry. And…the best part…is it’s difficult to kill. Oh, you may believe … Continue reading The Shamrock of Lazarus
In gardening, one often finds that good design is often dictated too by adaption. The grand old Black Walnut outside my stoop, and all its juglone seeping, creates adversity to many plants. It oozes out this toxin, and all but a few of the woodlanders thrive – so for me this hindrance for some, is a boon. I am a woodland gardener. I love the … Continue reading Going With The Flow
submitted for: The Weekly Photo Challenge | Extra Continue reading Views From The Secret Garden
In gardening, as in many things, there is a lingo, and one must strive to understand and imprint to memory certain terminologies. Tis not my forté, and therefore I struggle. I have a particular tendency to grasp onto my own unique lingo, and thus come off as an astounding moron in relation to topics I am actually quite versed on. For instance, take Determinate and … Continue reading Time in the Garden
I’ve learned over the years, the hard way, that beginning with a new garden one must think the long term. Where are YOU going to be five years from now? Where are you going to be next spring? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have spare time? This garden I am privileged to live within, is part of a … Continue reading Fundamental Foundations
To establish a garden, one must sit with it, and quietly listen to what it wants to be. Over days, weeks, months ideally, it will open up to you. Through this quiet time spent in its presence, you will know what must be done. Through the fall, winter, spring, and on into summer, one may even gain a deeper understanding of it all, and perhaps learn how … Continue reading On Creating a Garden
It was just one thousand, four hundred and seventy-five days. That’s all there were. Just now, whilst re-arranging my closet, I came across another reminder of those last days of Tim’s life. Some sort of bed liners that the palliative Nurse had given us, and for some insane reason I’d saved the stupid things. Crazy really, but I suppose it’s my Grandma in me not wanting stuff … Continue reading The Gnarl of Beauty in its new home
from The Red Duo-Tang ~Friday June 27th, 1975: *Really enjoyed the trip to Midland, she was really good. L (lil sis) bothered her a lot. Very interested in Huron Village. Enjoyed staying in the Motel. – got a lot out of Nancy Island. Asked a lot of questions. *Little nervous at the Scenic Caves. Can’t say as I blame her…I was too. Got a beaded … Continue reading Weekly Writing Challenge | Student, Teacher
You ever get that feeling that you’re insignificant? Some days I’m the master of my domain, and god help anyone who gets in my way. Other days? Well, other days, not so much. Amidst the normalcy that encompassed my upbringing, I managed to gain a certain sense of self-importance. Go figure. It’s all about this silly notion that my needs and desires are worthy of … Continue reading Worn Velvet and Butterfly Farts
A year ago today, I wrote this – One by One [published: Oct. 31, 2012] I had been blogging 5 days. It was just me and Irish, alone at the Lake, in our little cottage. I was experiencing a profound grief. Tim’s death had been so much different than hers. So many different emotions, experiences, thoughts, and the circumstances. The grief was even different. Tim … Continue reading One by One: a year later
by PaulaB 