The Azaleas We Kept

There were so many Azaleas in that back row when we bought this house. This stand extended another 15' but became smaller and thinner the farther left you looked. We took out 25 Azaleas, but I'm pleased as punch that we kept these. They make such a lovely show in the spring.

I have fertilized them just once and deep soaked them maybe twice in 5 years. The volunteer honeysuckle and wrens call this hedge home and I thank Mrs. Kelly for planting them. I sometimes wish she would come by and walk her old property with me. I do not know if she would be pleased that I removed some of her plants; I know the toil and love that tending can take. But I think she would smile at the care we take, especially if she came in April.

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The Carolina Wren

photo from web

The Carolina Wrens that live here are the first happy sounds I hear in the morning. With their notable white "eyebrow", they have become one of my favorite backyard birds. They are small and sweet and gentle, and they are happy just being, and they let the other birds just be as well. This is probably why I have come to prefer their kind nature at my feeders.


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Rainy Mondays

Sometimes it seems that only gardeners can find gladness for rainy Mondays. God is taking care of our garden today. I do not have to drag hoses around to pots or transplants, and Scott's seed is damp without effort. The pollen has been washed out of the air. What a little relief. What a gift.

When all the gardening is caught up is when I won't find gladness in the rain. That makes me chuckle. When is gardening ever caught up? God willing, my garden will never be done. It's an endless and unconditional sort of love affair, this hobby of mine.

One day I will have an irrigation system, but I will make sure it has a rain sensor to spare us the wasted water. There will always be room for gladness for the rains.

Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life. - John Updike

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And the Iris Blooms

A garden is always delightfully surprising. New or old, big or small, a garden is always surprising. Every time you step into your garden, there is something to see that you didn't see yesterday. Today, the Iris blooms. The pale purple bearded Iris. She starts slow but constant throughout the day. By dinnertime she is in full bloom.

I want to take Paige some of the white Iris's. It's time to separate them. Big Dan commented on them every time he saw them in bloom. He really liked them. I think that would make a nice garden gift for her.

Scott's grass is finally becoming a lawn. We're glad. Barefoot is best. He's been somewhat diligent, and he's finally getting to reap some reward. Kudos and thanks, my love.

Until tomorrow. The birds have been fed and the shrubs have been soaked.

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