A Mark in Time

Posted on January 28, 2019 by

In our culture we revere as special a day that marks an anniversary–a birth, a marriage, a graduation, a start-up–whatever is a new beginning.

Daylily Siloam Double Classic…one of my favorites

Today is one of those special days for me…the FIFTH anniversary of A Walk in the Garden. I started this blog five years ago hoping to spread the word about my ebook, Guess What’s in My Garden. Book sales have not been overwhelming, but I have been delighted with the number of “blogosphere” friends made over these five years from around the world.

I am grateful for your comments and continued support and encouragement. Yes, I have retired from active gardening, but I will continue to share my love of the garden in different ways in this blog.

Thank you for a fun five years, 585 posts and counting.

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Things I See around Town: The Aftermath

Posted on January 25, 2019 by

A few weeks ago we had a serious storm: ice and wind. This is one of several trees damaged in our area.

I have noticed this tree countless times over the last dozen years on my way to our favorite barbeque spot. What I thought I saw was a mature, strong, hardwood with deep roots and a solid core. The storm revealed something quite different. Without a core, the tree could not stand the stress of that storm and it fell apart.

That is a metaphor that can apply to people, marriages, families, businesses, and other organizations. They look fine and strong on the outside, but then serious stress occurs. Without a solid core of strong values, they can fail just like that tree.

 

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Things I See around Town: Happiness

Posted on January 18, 2019 by

Happiness is a daffodil in January

Happiness is the first sighting of forsythia in bloom

Happiness is recognizing the cycle of bloom starting for yet another year.

Happy 2019

Posted in Gardening, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , | 7 Comments

A Step or Two in another Direction

Posted on January 14, 2019 by

It is a challenge to write a garden blog when you don’t have a garden anymore. I lost mine when we sold our home and moved to a nearby retirement community. The wonderful friends who bought our home have already had us over to see. The garden is not mine anymore, but I am assured that it is in excellent hands. What I didn’t lose was my love of gardening. So I will use my memories and things I see around town to continue these posts.

One of my favorite vistas in my Charlotte garden featuring Weigela florida

I have tended three gardens in my life, two of which I designed and started from bare ground. Wouldn’t it have been nice if I had known then what I know now? That, of course, is not possible; many of my favorite plants hadn’t even been created when I started. And that’s not just about gardening. There is much I wish I had known about getting the most out of school, of raising my children, my work life in the Navy and industry, and my marriage to my Arranger. It’s too late for me to go back and take piano lessons. But, alas, we’re talking hindsight now.

I have learned some lessons and discovered new methods, new ideas, new plants, things that turned out marvelously well (I believe in serendipity) and, alas again, some that were disasters. I will share those in time. I also keep my eyes open when I am out and about so I may report from time to time. I might even share a thought or two of what I could do in my next garden…the one in my dreams.

I hope you will join me on my next journey.

Posted in Gardening, Things I See Around Town | Tagged , | 8 Comments

This Special Day

Posted on December 25, 2018 by

A Christmas wish to all for a time of peace throughout our world. May 2019 be a year of generosity–given and received.

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Thanksgiving 2018

Posted on November 22, 2018 by

To all who join me on occasion for A Walk in the Garden,

Posted in Holidays | Tagged | 4 Comments

Wordless Wednesday: A Chaste Hibiscus

Posted on October 10, 2018 by

Image | Posted on October 10, 2018 by | Tagged | 13 Comments