juneSCENE IN OUR GARDEN: May 2013

This and That

I found this ceramic owl at a thrift store and placed it on the trunk of the tree

where a family of owls perched statue-like on a branch for most of a day a few years ago.

On the way to attach the owl, I passed this rusty tray holding my

small collection of stone hearts. The small white one is the latest.

I found it walking to the post office yesterday.

(Had tree trunks on the mind for some reasons....)

Our white rose bushes are as full as I've ever seen them. They are about to explode with flowers!

Another tree trunk with a couple of sunflower heads (yard art) at its base.

My husband just fashioned a seat for this bench

from decking boards found free in a pile of wood on a curbside.

Much better...now all we need are cushions for the back.

Plant Markers

Until the spiderwort (below) started blooming yesterday,

I was telling people the bee balm (above) was spiderwort.

Now I know.

I really MUST get me some plant markers!

I say this every year.

What do YOU use to mark your plants?
...or do you just remember what you've got?

A Place to Return to.....

I only had minutes to see this incredible place.

My daughter insisted I stop in before the wedding she was attending

at this rural property.

I wasn't dressed for the wedding and had a sleeping grandchild in the car,

so I only saw enough to know

this is a place to return to!

This isn't even a FRACTION of the fascinating scenes

in this northeastern Indiana garden.
It's definitely MY kind of place.
(If you like this kind of style, you really ought to click on the photos
to enlarge 'em and see more details....)

Irises or Irides

I finally checked out the proper plural forms

of this beautiful flower.

I may have one more variety remaining to bloom

in our flower beds.

Such a grand, showy flower--

returning so much pleasure for so little work.

Hanging Around

Recently hung in our yard....mostly wreathes;

but also a mirror,

a lantern (can you see it down in the left-hand corner?)

a swing,

and yet another wreath.

(I like the way the swing is reflected in the mirror, below....)

When is a Fence Not a Fence?

Alerted by a call from my sister, my husband scouted out a curb-full of

scrap wood. Including 4 sections of this fence!

There was repair and painting to do,

but OH MY GOODNESS!

It was SO worth it!

Everything looks better AND we have one section left--

even after splitting the third one to camouflage

these ugly railing installed a few years ago by the state(?)

when they widened the road & replaced sidewalks in front of our house.

When is a fence NOT a fence?

When it's Yard Art!

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony. William Henry Channing 1810-1884

Irises come in many forms, shapes, colors and sizes and the sword-like foliage is attractive when the plant is not in bloom. The genus Iris is a large genus of bulbous and rhizomatous perennials.

The Iris was named after the goddess of the rainbow because of its many colors.
A flower on the Sphinx is considered to be an Iris, and another appears on a bas-relief of the 18th Egyptian dynasty.
Pliny also knew the Iris and praised its medicinal virtues.
The Iris was also a favourite flower of the Moslems, who took it to Spain after their conquest in the 8th century.

Bought at a local plant sale, Spring of 2009 Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium; syn. Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Pers., Pyrethrum parthenium Sm.) is a traditional medicinal herb which is found in many old gardens, and is also occasionally grown for ornament. The plant grows into a small bush up to around 18 inches high, with citrus-scented leaves and is covered by flowers reminiscent of daisies. It spreads rapidly, and they will cover a wide area after a few years. It is also commonly seen in the literature by its synonyms, Chrysanthemum parthenium (L.) Bernh. and Pyrethrum parthenium (L.) Sm.

I'D PICK MORE DAISIES
If I could live my life again
I'd be a little lazy
I'd stop this rushing to and fro
And stop and pick more daisies
Through all the lovely summer months
Though days be clear or hazy
No more to fret over tasks undone,
I'd stop to pick a daisy
Not so important what I did
This fact time now discloses
While running through life's garden green
I'd stop to smell the roses
If I could hold my little ones
The children in my care
I'd scold them less and love them more
With so much love to share
If I could pass this way again
Though folks might think I'm crazy
I'd work and worry less, but I'd
Take time to pick a daisy
The rush of life has passed me by
Now I have leisure hours
But time has taken such a toll
It's too late to pick the flowers.

Mildred F. Rowe

MEASURE YOUR HEALTH...by your sympathy with morning and spring. If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature, if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep, if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you--know that the morning and the spring of your life are past. Thus may you feel your pulse. (Thoreau)

"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on the trees and flowers and clouds and stars." (Martin Luther)

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The soul of a child is the loveliest flower
That grows in the garden of God
It's climb is from weakness to knowledge and power,
To the sky from the clay to the clod.
To beauty and sweetness it grows under care
Neglected, 'tis ragged and wild.
'Tis a plant that is tender, but wondrously rare,
The sweet wistfull soul of a child.

Be tender, O Gardener, and give it it's share
Of moisture, of warmth and of light,
And let it not lack for th painstaking care
To protect it from frost and from blight.
A glad day will come when it's bloom shall unfold,
It will seem that an angel has smiled,
Reflecting a beauty and sweetness untold
In the sensitive soul of a child.

...Author Unknown

Thy Word is like a garden, Lord,
With flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine,
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths
For every searcher there.

Thy Word is like a starry host:
A thousand rays of light
Are seen to guard the traveler,
And make his pathway bright.
Thy Word is like an armory,
Where soldiers may repair,
And find, for life's long battle-day,
All needful weapons there.

Oh, may I love Thy precious Word,
May I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glen,
May light upon me shine!
Oh, may I find my armor there!
Thy Word my trusty sword,
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.

(Edwin Hodder, Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord)

juneSCENE IN OUR GARDEN