juneSCENE IN OUR GARDEN: July 2013

Happy Trails to You

It's not such a long trail...

just right for working off a little energy before bedtime!

This wetland/prairie habitat

seemed especially beautiful tonight.

It's in a town near us - about a 6 mile drive.

Except for one group of bicycle riders, we had the path to ourselves.

July 27

Sadly, ants had had their way with this beautiful butterfly before I found it.

Still I couldn't resist a picture.

Toward the end of the day, driving toward our house, the

golden hue of the black-eyed Susans really caught my eye.

My photos don't do them justice;

but seeing these images, I realize our trees desperately need trimmed.
Weather has been almost autumn-like. Pleasant days. Cool nights.
So lovely...

AGORA on Waldo's Hill

Only halfway through my "tour" of AGORA yesterday

did I realize I had something blurring my camera lens.

Oh, well. I did my best to edit the photos to show

features that caught my eye in the landscape that surrounds

this new coffee shoppe/gathering spot in Antwerp, OH.

Casual and rustic are two words I'd use to describe it--

both of which are right up my alley!

The steps lead up to two lovely get-away bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.

The view from the top was lovely. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of it.

Flowers, shrubs, trees and plants tell such a tale;

make a statement; build anticipation; set the tone...

all without making a sound.

I wish Cindy and her shoppe much success. I hope to return frequently

to watch the development of the sweet yard & gardens.

Gathering

I did a bit of gathering before the "hot heat" (TV Weatherman's term)

gets overpowering today...

Technically, it was too late to gather the lavender.

It had dried on the plant.

Still there was a bit of fragrance to it...

Fire in July

It was an incredible evening - pleasantly cool.

A fire was the ideal place to enjoy the company of a visiting relative.

I Couldn't Help Noticing...

...that the Rose of Sharon bush is blooming

...how tall the day lilies are

...the way lavender and orange complement each other

...the variety of lilies I had forgotten in our flower beds

...the way bee balm is blooming again

...how fast these black-eyed Susans spread

(and that I don't remember if that's really what they actually are)

...the berries (or are they "hips") forming on a viburnum bush.

What are YOU noticing in YOUR yard or garden today?

Unsophisticated Splendor

I stepped outside into temporary sunshine to check the rain gauge.

Another 2" of rain has fallen here with more forecast for the next three days!

I couldn't help but notice the unsophisticated splendor of the hosta...

right "up there" with the unsophisticated assemblage on our front porch!

I had to document even MORE unsophisticated potential

represented by this first of a multitude of flowers waiting in the wings!

What Unsophisticated Pleasures do YOU enjoy in your garden?

Critters and Creatures

This critter is what started the wheels turning in my mind this morning...

I went out to find yet another 1.5" of rain had fallen during the night

One thing led to another.

Before long, I think I had photographed about every

reptile, bug, or mammal artificially posed in our yard.
(Well, not the cat or cardinals which have already
had their "day in the sun" in this blog....)

Several showed signs of washed up dirt -

indicating the force of the rain that fell during the night.

Others hung high enough to avoid the mud bath.

I'm not sure where to safely place THIS latest craft project of mine.

I'd purchased the bunny in its unfinished condition many moons ago
and only yesterdayapplied some pale green stain, tacked in some eyes,
and strung beads and a bell around its neck.

WhereEVER the bunny lands, I think he'll find company.

What critters inhabit YOUR garden spaces?

Gatescroft in July

Extremely wet weather has made it difficult

to keep up with weeds and trimming around Gatescroft!

The result is rather wild-looking flower beds,

mushrooms in the yard, and grass that is too long!

If it doesn't rain today, it ought to be perfect conditions for some serious weed-pulling,

and hopefully my husband will be able to get the lawn mowed after work!

It's pleasantly cool this morning as we assess the tasks piling up for us!

For some reason, this morning was the first I realized that I've lost
at least a couple of astilbes, a blue aster and some liatris (which were hard to
keep thinned out last year). This makes me sad.
Oh well. At least the Russian sage is growing enthusiastically.

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)