DAY BY DAY
This has been a difficult week. I can no longer manage too many things happening in a day. I am exhausted. The one day I physically worked in a clients garden was longer than I generally worked. Although it was tiring, it was also exhilarating. I am way past retirement age, but I am happy to say that I can still work hard. I dug three large blueberry bushes, added three cubic feet of soil to the planter, and replanted those shrubs. I also spread eight, one cubic bags of soil on another part of the garden, spreading it to cover and fill where I had dug out three other invasive perennials. It always surprises me how small an area each bag covers.
The rest of my week was different. Every day was filled with appointments: taking care of my dogs, Henry and Daisy, getting my maple tree trimmed, and having some additional wiring done, thanks to my cousin. A contractor to take care of some small jobs that I can no longer feel competent to complete with ease. Added to the extra people and movement in the house, I am also hyper-vigilant with my eighteen-year-old Daisy. Keeping her from being underfoot is incredibly exhausting. Much more than a day of hard work. On the fun side, I have been painting and varnishing garden ornaments to preserve their integrity throughout the seasons.
MEMORIES IN THE AIR
Although it has been raining pretty hard all day today, there is a definite change in the air. In my last blog__Day by Day, January 29th, I wrote about the beautiful sunrise that happened Monday morning. Later that night, while walking down my alley, I was reminded of my childhood in the West Indies. It was a balmy night, the warm breeze almost 70°F. The sound of the wind through the trees reminded me of the Caribbean Sea along a sandy shore. A place where I spent my early childhood. Chosen, a memoir of my first fourteen years growing up in the islands of Barbados, Monserrat, and St. Vincent, narrates the story of my life growing up with my Grandparents. You can order my book, Chosen, online from Amazon to read more of my story.
IN MY GARDEN
The terrible freeze in my part of the Pacific Northwest a month ago, with temperatures falling to 3°F and the wind chill even lower, has sadly destroyed most of my Hellebore blooms. But the Witch hazels and snowdrops have recovered and are blooming beautifully. The winter Jasmine, a vertical blanket of yellow before the freeze, has put out a few new blossoms again. The white Forsythia, Abeliophyllum distichum, (featured image) gives me a feeling of joy every morning when I open the curtains at the front of my house.
NIGHT TIME READING
My bedside table is loaded with books. There are two piles, one I am still reading and one I still want to read. I just finished a Kristin Hannah book, which left me emotionally rung out. I have started reading Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively, which is very English. It is a trip down memory lane with her descriptions of gardens and authors I have seen and read; it is delightful. Then there is Mitch Albom. His books make my heart sing. There are nights when I need to read one of his books and fall asleep with happy thoughts running through my mind. The book I am reading is called the magic strings of frankie presto, narrated by the voice of Music.
As always, I look forwards to receiving likes and comments on my piece. Have a wonderful day wherever you are in the world. May today be better than yesterday.
EJP