Has anyone noticed that the dolphins are back, swimming around in the garden?
The County Clerk was in search of dolphins in the Delphiniums around this time last year - and while wandering around my own garden, there they were, atop my garden's annual larkspur, swimming away. I noted this, the County Clerk noted this - and then (now how cool is this?) we became linked on Dowdeswell's Delphiniums LTD website, and their page on the History of the Delphiniums.
Life is indeed a fascinating journey, isn't it?
~~~~~
When I returned from Virginia a few weeks ago, I brought back a number of my Mother's plants - plants given as gifts after she passed away - and ones that my Father didn't feel that he could care for.
For years I have given Mom amaryllis bulbs each fall, like I did this past fall as well - and this year the same five bulbs came back with me, and are now planted in a once small (but now not quite so small) collection of amaryllis'. They don't always bloom, sometimes they do and it is a wonderful surprise - but this morning I added last fall's bulbs to my garden once again.
Such activities have become ritualistic in nature, and I felt sad as I planted them, knowing that I would no longer hear her say 'Can't you plant those bulbs in the ground down in Charleston? You'd better remember to take those bulbs back with you when you leave.'
~~~~~
I'm trying, really trying, to get back on track with the whole new house thing. One project that I had started, but then stopped before completing - was pruning the lower branches from the three bald cypresses in the front left garden.
They are beautiful trees - if you haven't seen bald cypress green in the early spring, well then, you should try to next spring - because it is about the freshest green around. So I managed this week, in the evenings, to finish removing the lower branches - up to about six feet - which has opened up the area remarkably. The area under the trees has been naturally mulched with bald cypress leaves that drop each fall - and through the middle of the trees is a simple flagstone path - but now I'm thinking that there is room for some shade-loving plants in this area. I'm not sure what yet, I need to think about it more - but I'm sure that there will be something that will be just perfect for the space.
(And perhaps there should be a bench? A place to sit for awhile, to admire the green?).
~~~~~
One of my japanese irises is starting to bloom - the one that caused me to drive to the Sumter Iris Festival last year (resulting in the purchase of three new japanese irises...). It was my first japanese iris, and seemed quite happy growing along side a birdbath that I try to keep freshwater in - a daily activity that of course benefited the iris, because they need quite a bit of moisture. Two of the three new ones look as if they might bloom this year as well - that will be fun to see.
There are so many plants for one to become addicted to - I fear that I am an equal opportunity addict when it comes to the garden, restricting myself just seems so...so foolish.
~~~~~
I've been spending alot of time this week writing thank you notes for my family, because of the many acts of kindness that we have received. My family started a 'fund' at my parents church on behalf of my Mother - a fund to help support the purchase of fresh flowers each Sunday for the church's altar. For over 25 years my Mother was responsible for these flowers, and she was adamant that artificial flowers shouldn't be used - and many of the arrangements consisted of flowers from her own garden. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and family - and it has been fun for us to watch this fund 'grow'. We know that this would make Mom smile.
This week I was also a bit overwhelmed by the kindness of friends and colleagues here in Charleston - on Wednesday I was presented by the lab and a group of friends/colleagues a gift certificate (from a wonderful garden center) for a water fountain after a potluck lunch, and later that same afternoon, several colleagues gave me a beautiful concrete planter filled with a wonderful collection of succulents. Later that night on the phone, a wise and charming friend asked me if there were any Sempervivums in the planter - to which I replied 'yes' - and then he told me that Sempervivums was latin for 'always living'.
~~~~~
I took this photograph of my garden's flame azalea a few weeks ago, but simply hadn't gotten around to posting it. I have definitely fallen for the deciduous and native azaleas...how could one not do so? They are almost like the anti-azalea...if that makes any sense at all. Their colors are simply exquisite, and I wanted to share this one with you.
As for life outside the garden - it is busy. I need to think about tile. And lighting. And this week I did manage to go to one lighting store and one tile store - a solid start, I think. I'm trying to get back on track after a difficult month - perhaps I am, just a bit, but I'm really not sure yet. I'm sad, and quite frankly would love for Mother's Day weekend to be OVER. It's just too soon.
This week I had my first dream with my Mother in it: My Brother, Father and I were in my parent's kitchen in Virginia, and I was sitting at the kitchen sink, getting ready to wash dishes. Suddenly, my Mother walked in from the bedroom hallway (my Father couldn't 'see' her, but my brother could) - and we just stared at her as she walked up to the kitchen sink and said 'I'll wash and you dry' as she handed me a dishtowel. My brother, standing behind us, mouthed 'c-r-e-e-p-y' - and I just stood there, drying the clean dishes that my Mother was handing me. When the dishes were done, she walked out the kitchen door to the sunroom, and was gone. That was when I woke up.
~~~~~
So, I feel that I need to apologize for not roaming around the blogosphere so much these days, nor responding to comments here at the Microbial Lab. I appreciate your comments, and do read them - and I think with time I'll be a bit more engaged in all of this. I do hope so. But for now I find myself mostly writing thank you notes, working in my garden, trying to catch up on lab stuff - and learning to accept life without my Mother's presence. Each day there is a new reminder of her absence, but each day we all also get a bit stronger and are more grateful for having had her in our lives. One day at a time...or so I'm told.
After my Mother's death, a group of kind friends and colleagues gave me a generous gift certificate to Hyam's Garden and Accent store on Folly Road - so that I could purchase a water fountain in honor of my Mom. The store carries fountains from two main suppliers: Campania International, Inc. and Al's Garden Art. 
Now, might I admit that I've often thought that something like this would be delightful in Pamdanistan? Subtle. Green. Minimalistic really. Except that it would require a bit of regular maintenance I'd imagine. 
Recent Comments