IN Carmel

 Just a thought about gardening.  Often when leafing through gardening books I think...so beautiful.  Many of those beautiful pictures come from places like Oregon or the British Isles.  Not always but a surprising number do.  Mild temperatures...lots of rain...gentle sunshine.  They all have that in common.  This spring we have had Oregon weather.  The gardens here are particular lush in so many ways.  How fortunate to have that happen now and then, this being one of those springs..                                              A view from the patio.  Everyone seems to be in a good place.   Today was the Saturday for Bread and Bowl.  And after a very early morning wake up I was off to church a little after 8.  Sarah Ellen arrived at the same time as I pulled in the parking lot.  S...

                                                                   Another pretty pot of flowers made it to the garden.                                            I've read this is another common thing found in a country garden.  Well, so I've read.  The yellow flowers in the pot are in bud form currently. Another morning of no rain so I was out looking around again...as usual.  Everything looked as good as possible with as much drinking water as the plants could hold.  It was time to think about a hair cut for the little blue iris.  I must admit it was an easy thing to do with the hedge clippers that were a Christmas gift a couple of yea...

Part of the garden but I can't remember the name.  Never could! Nothing new.  Sometimes it blooms like this year.  Sometimes it doesn't like other years.  It was another full day.  So full I can't remember everything.  Like what happened this morning.  I think it was pretty quiet and yes, there were wet feet again which proves to me I was out and about making decisions for the day.  One being what needed to be moved because the common milkweed was hiding what needed to see the sun.  Poor planning on my part or perhaps over extended milkweed.  Pick one.   Now this plant is called Goats Beard. It should be covered with these flowers but the deer always agree with me about liking this plant.  So, the deer shares it with me.  I think I got jipped.  I did make a run to the drugstore for Magnesium.  That's demands a big decision to get in the car and drive north.  Harder than you might imagine.  For road...

 Another soggy dirt morning.  I used that reason to make a trip to Rosie's for pond plants.  Three came home with me.                                                              No sunshine today so there were no bubbles.   This time the rain came at noon.  Not so much but anything at this point is a little too much.  I did a walk around deciding it was time to take care of two jonquil bunches of leaves.  They had started to droop looking a little tired.  Not completely worn out but leaning.  That left two big spaces with a what do I do next.  What was ruled out were moving any perennials.  I wanted to see Jonquils next spring.   In no time, both pair of garden shoes were soaking wet. Not surprising I must admit.      ...

 Up early ready for the day.  I spent a little time in the garden seeing what survived the gusher last night.  All seemed to be up and ready for the day just like me.  I did a little messing around but stayed clean for the heart doc appointment.  Nothing has changed and I appreciated those words.             Kimmy sent this picture of the pussy willow fence.  It's a living fence growing in her garden.                                                    The pussywillows came from our yard.  My fence is not so fancy.   Then I was off to the Tractor Supply Store in Westfield for more dahlia stakes.  I picked up a pink and yellow canna.  I think a few more canna are coming from the same last year's source.  If not that's fine as well.  ...

 The morning started with the usual monthly blood work that tells me yes or no about restarting the cancer medication.  It's three weeks on with pills and one week off.  Blood work and then the results appears.  Today the results indicated that my white count is at a critically low point.  That happened a year ago last May.  What is May thinking.  She could do better.  So I'll wait another week for another blood test.  Is the Lion chasing me.  (Yesterday's sermon)  I think not, so far.  Thanks you Jill for your Sunday words.  I didn't know how soon they would fill space in my mind. Then it was off to church meeting four good friends.  It's getting ready for Pentecost Sunday.  It's my MOST favorite Sunday of the church year.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. The coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. There isn't anything much better than a birth day.            ...