The Rain: A Silver Lining

"Rain, rain, go away
Come again some other day
We want to go outside and play
Come again some other day".

Yes, it continues to rain at 514. Today I am focusing on the silver linings rain has provided in my gardens.  There is much to appreciate around my place because of the rain.

We got to enjoy a double rainbow.

The tulips are lasting longer.

The columbine's color is more vivid.

The lily garden is exploding.

Bouquets are lasting longer.

The lilacs are also lasting longer. 

 “Colors shone with exceptional clarity in the rain. The ground was a deep black, the pine branches a brilliant green, the people wrapped in yellow looking like special spirits that were allowed to wander over the earth on rainy mornings only.” – Haruki Murakami

 

Ten Things To Do When You Can't Garden

Where I live we have had a cold, wet spring. Don't get me wrong. I know we need the rain, but when the temperatures are cooler, it is hard to plant a garden. I realize I could bundle up, wear a rain poncho, and go out and pull weeds, plant containers, and put out my garden décor. I don't want to. I only last a short time outside when I get wet and cold. I have found some other ways to use my time.

Ten Things To Do When You Can't Garden:

1. Go shopping for plants. Eventually it will warm up, right?

2. Start trays of plants from seed. They will get to be planted someday.

3. Fill up the bird feeders.

4. Go to another store shopping for plants. You hate to have them sell out the first day it is warm again.

5. Arrange bouquets with my spring flowers.

6. Cuddle with Riley, drink coffee, and read a good book.

7. Reorganize the She Shed and deadhead the plants that wintered over

8. Plant flowers in the containers in the garage and hope there is enough sun to keep the leaves green.

9, Go to one more store and buy plants. Do you see a pattern here?

10. Take Riley outside and have him do a Sunshine Dance.

The Silver Lining in the Snow

 

Signs of spring have been emerging in my flower beds for weeks. I have already made a bouquet with the small mini daffodils. They are the flowers that bloom first whether it is cold or warm, sunny or snowy. Above is what I brought in today to keep them out of the snow. 

The grape hyacinths spread all year and when spring arrives the bright purple blooms pop up all over the front flower beds and the raised beds in the backyard. They aren't picky about the weather.

The earlies tulips bloomed a few days ago. When snow began to to fall yesterday,and then again today I went out and picked the tulips to make sure they would survive. 

The weeds I needed to pull are back under the snow. The freezing temperatures are allowing me to stay inside and finish some projects not completed during the winter. I can now build a fire again in the fireplace. 

All silver linings. Yes, I wish it was warmer. Yes, I wish I could dig in the dirt. It is okay. I still have bouquets, I have color popping out from the snow. I have a nice fire burning in the house. 

Now Riley is having a hard time finding silver linings. He is tired of getting snowed on and coming home wet. He wants to run in the sunshine.

Grayson is tired of it also. We had a long talk tonight and I tired to explain unpredictable spring weather. He was very puzzled. I guess I have to admit I am a bit puzzled also.

Remember Me

The poem today is dedicated to my husband Everett. I can hear him reading the lines in my mind . He was my vase for the bouquets I created. When I wanted to photograph one, a bouquet turned out better if he held them in his hands. I miss my favorite vase JEJ every day.

Remember Me

by Anthony Dowson

Speak of me as you have always done.
Remember the good times, laughter, and fun.

Share the happy memories we've made.
Do not let them wither or fade.

I'll be with you in the summer's sun
And when the winter's chill has come.

I'll be the voice that whispers in the breeze.
I'm peaceful now, put your mind at ease.

I've rested my eyes and gone to sleep,
But memories we've shared are yours to keep.

Sometimes our final days may be a test,
But remember me when I was at my best.

Although things may not be the same,
Don't be afraid to use my name.

Let your sorrow last for just a while.
Comfort each other and try to smile.

I've lived a life filled with joy and fun.
Live on now, make me proud of what you'll become.

The Best Time of Summer

 After all the hot, hot temperatures, the smoky skies, and the dry air I never thought we would arrive at what I call the best time of summer. For me the best time of summer is when the nights cool a bit, the air has more moisture, and the days below eighty degrees.are. It is the best time of summer because the flowers love it. They can recover during the night and then show their beautiful blooms in the sunshine during the day. The weed growth has slowed down. Everything in the garden doesn't need as much water. You can sit outside during the day and enjoy it!

The birds have come back to help themselves to food at the feeders. The butterflies are back out. I haven't seen as many flies or yellow jackets. Even Riley will stay outside while I putter in the garden. A few weeks ago it was even too hot for him. Now my wish is that frost stays away until October. Let us have at least five weeks of the best time of summer. 

8760 Days

The driveway from my house to the road where we would first meet.

 

Today is my wedding anniversary. We would have celebrated 24 years of marriage. We met September 1996, we were married  August 1997, and I kissed Everett good-bye for the last time November 30, 2020.  Our 8760 days knowing each other began on the road between our houses when I was out walking the dogs and he came out of his house to say hello.

Enjoying a fire in the gazebo sitting in his favorite chair.

Those days were filled with happiness and sadness, We had good times and bad times. We celebrated new life and mourned death too many times. Fortunately for us the good times far outweighed the bad times. We enjoyed one day road trips, and we planted flowers and vegetables. We raised cats and dogs, rabbits, and chickens. We loved to sit by the fire in the gazebo and enjoy our gardens. We held each close and cried when we lost loved ones and friends. One of  Everett's favorite sayings was, " If Christy is happy, I am tickled pink." He was tickled pink most of the time because he made me very happy.

a bouquet from the garden

Our anniversaries were special for the two of us.We didn't plan elaborate trips far away, or buy each other expensive gifts.  I may have gotten a pretty bouquet right from our own garden. Sometimes I got him his favorite kind of wine. A few years we even got the day mixed up. Often we had a quiet dinner together, or camped at our favorite camp site. 

Those 8760 days are filled with memories I will have the rest of my life. For that I am grateful. I miss him, but I am trying to continue to live a full life because that is what he wanted me to do. He would be happy to know I have learned how to use a drill and prepare for an evacuation. I may even get that garage organized so I can use it for the car. That was next on our list when he fell ill.

Our 8760 days ended with me holding his hand and praying with him. Rest in peace sweet Everett.

August: The Summer's Last Stand

 

Our August has been hot, smoky, and dry. What is amazing is there is still beauty every day amid our extreme weather and the fires surrounding us. Here are some images I have captured  

that illustrate the beauty of August.

first sunflower

Riley running in the grass

lily in the evening

garden bouquet

 

garden flowers

a clear day along the river

sunset and smoke

lighting up the yard

50 Days of Summer

We still have fifty more days of summer in 2021. When I was teaching summer ended when school started. A silver lining of retirement is that I can enjoy those twenty-two days of September still considered summer. So before I get out the autumn decor and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte I want to continue to embrace summer.

Because of high temperatures, dry winds, and smoky air I have been limited lately to embrace favorite summer activities. I made a list of things I still want to do before autumn brings summer to an end:

Eat a soft serve twirl ice cream cone. 

Have a s'more.

Organize a picnic potluck.

Swim in a river.

Bake a fresh peach pie.

Go to Manito Park.

Watch a summer sunrise.

Reread a favorite summer book. My choice would be "Summer Sisters" by Judy Blume

Watch a favorite summer movie. My choice would be "Mamma Mia."

Pick flowers from the garden, make bouquets, and deliver them to friends.

Make a dessert with zucchini. (this is a beautiful chocolate zucchini cake made by my sister)

Make a pitcher of Bloody Marys and invite people over to enjoy them.

What activity do you still want to do before the end of the summer of 2021?

Six Ways to Feel Instantly Happy

The week has been marred by wildfire smoke, hot temperatures, and dry air. 

It is time to find instant happiness. Here are my tips for instant happiness on this last Friday in July:

1. Cuddle with your dog. My dog Riley can bring me happiness just by looking at me. He is so lovable and brings me joy every single day. If you don't have a dog, go visit a friend that has one!

2. Pick a bouquet of flowers. I am instantly happy when I have a bouquet sitting on the table. If you can't pick a bouquet, check out the flowers in the grocery store.

3. Find a good book, good coffee, and a comfortable spot and read. 

4. Walk through a flower garden. I am blessed to have my own flower garden to walk through every day. Visit a friend with a flower garden or find a park with flowers. Instant happiness!

5. Talk to a friend. 

6. Bring people together for a meal. Enjoying food, drink, and good conversation is certainly a recipe for instant happiness.

What makes you instantly happy?

Quarantine, Day 42 : Hello Spring

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“I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet in a garden.”   — Ruth Stout

I am embracing spring this year. During early spring I brought the spring inside with grocery store bouquets.  After being inside so much the time in the first part of the quarantine the warmer weather was a welcome relief. The beautiful colors of the spring flowers are just what I need right now to put a smile on my face. Longer days and sunshine are the icing on the cake.  Here are some favorite images of the season. Hello spring!