Thursday, February 21, 2013

Beautiful weather

Good morning Friends ~ It is Thursday and today will be spent in ‘homecaring’ as I have company coming tomorrow. My husbands’ older sister is coming to visit. Her husband is going to a seminar down here so she and I will be visiting and then we’ll all got out to eat afterwards. I’m fixing a little lunch here for she and I. When she and her husband were down last summer they took us out to eat at a favorite Cuban restaurant that we all like.  I’m glad we had that visit.

So … there are ‘things’ I need to do around here.

Sunday and Monday were pretty rough days, times of sobbing. I just called out to God to get me through and he did, as he always does. I’ve read some things that have lightened my spirit, from my journal from last year, from the Bible and from other books I am reading. Plus comments and emails from you dear people. I wrote about the roller coaster of grief here.

I know my husband is with God and that is reason to celebrate. I also know that we will be reunited one day and that will be wonderful. For now, I am being drawn closer to God as I trust in him more and more every day.

The past two days I worked outside as the weather was perfect for it. As I was working, there were gentle breezes, periods of silence (when no traffic happened to be going by) and lots of sweet birdsong. I was oh so thankful and my heart lifted. I have much to learn and every day is a gift.

I cut back some trees, did weeding and clean up too. It all felt good. Physical exercise is great any time but especially at this time. Being outdoors is good for body, soul and spirit.

There are two piles here, on from the overgrown ixora, and then a pile of overgrown grass and other stuff that I raked out from my potting area. I’ve not liked going back there because of the ‘mean’ pit bull that lives behind us. Whenever he would hear us he would race up and down the privacy fencing on his side, snarling and slamming himself into the fence. Needless to say, it took the joy out of working in that quiet space back there. My husband tried all sort of things on this dog to get him to stay away from the fence, all to no avail. The dog is bad. Sometimes the owner would call the dog away. I’ve not been back there in about 6 months so haven’t had to deal with the dang dog.  Well, day before yesterday, it dawned on me how quiet it has been back there, so I thought maybe they are gone somewhere. So yesterday morning I decided to tackle the area.  While back there I peeked over the fence and could see that no one was there and it felt like no one was there too.  So I worked and worked back there and am happy with my progress. There is still more to do, but I couldn’t do it all at once.

These aren’t very exciting pictures at all, just showing some of the work I do around here. I love gardening even the hard work.

02-20-clean-up

Here’s more debris. The basket plants - Callisia fragrans  had overgrown the little border wall by a foot or two and spreading further out into the property. This is such an easy plant to grow, doesn’t need any care, and the flowers are sweetly scented and loved by bees and it spreads itself, by runner growing out from older plants.

02-20-clean-up2

I have an 11’ stainless steel potting surface that used to be a restaurant sink/counter. We got this ‘curbside’ many, many years ago when a restaurant was being renovated. It is a great surface to work on. I have stacks of plastic flower pots, a table, a little mini greenhouse back here too, and various other and assorted ‘stuff’. Some I will be getting rid of. DH told me to before he died. When he was laying in bed he was thinking about getting rid of all of the junk, and he told me to get rid of it if he died. So, it’s what I am doing. We couldn’t pass useable things up when we saw them ‘curbside’ and have used LOTS of things we found, but some is just sitting and I will never use most of it. I will put it out front and let others come along and take what they want, or it will be picked up by the trash trucks.

Anyway, there is more work to be done back here, all in good time.

02-20-clean-up3

This is a pile of sea hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus) tree limbs. These trees are on the neighbors’ side of the fence and we keep having to cut it from our side. DH always used his saws-all and I would use a tree saw and hand clippers to cut it up into more manageable pieces, for bagging and pick up. I used a saw on a pole to get to these.

02-20-clean-up4

While I was back along the fence in my potting area, I decided to bring out things I might want to use. I found some edging, a recycle bin, and some lattice. I’m thinking of making another pvc and lattice arbor.

02-20-bits

I also brought out a decorative piece of cement, some glass blocks, and some round terra cotta drainage pipes. Will use the pipes for planters, of what I don’t know yet. Smile

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Here is a long view. I am standing up by the driveway gate. You can see that I have more of the tree hibiscus (bulging out in middle of picture on the right) that I need to cut down. If I don’t get it now, it will be too much for me to do myself, as the limbs get thicker and thicker. I will get brave and use the saws-all myself. And speaking of tools, I want to thank those of you who have ‘encouraged’ me to learn to use them. I really appreciate that. I have watched my husband use them for years and years, and know I have to be careful, and know how most of them generally work.

02-20-clean-up5

Now for some pretties.

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This is a pot of Cuban oregano given to me by my friend Aida.

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Here are some cuttings of it from my friend Cathy who has this as a huge potted plant. The little plant, was a cutting from my recently bought pineapple sage, that I rooted in water.

02-20-cub-oreg-pineap-sage

Pineapple sage smells wonderful. Hummingbirds love it.

Here’s the plant I bought, pinched back so that it will bush out more.

02-20-pineapple-sage

Here’s a rosemary plant I bought. DH wanted me to get another one, when he heard mine had died over the summer. Rosemary is for ‘remembrance’.

02-20-rosemary

Bon Silene rose

02-19-bonsilene

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Vincent Godsiff rose

02-19-vincent-godsiff

That’s it. I’ve blabbed enough here. Hope you all have a great day wherever you are, whatever you are doing. If you are going through rough times, call out to God, as he loves us dearly and is with us always. He will be our strength, and fill us with his love and peace.

Happy gardening, happy living moment to moment.

FlowerLady

29 comments:

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

You make me yearn for Spring.
Want so to be outside doing a lot
of what you are able to do at this time...

Leslie Kimel said...

I love your little potting area in the garden--it's so neat with the birdhouses and branches. Are the branches painted onto the wall?

I hope you and your sister-in-law have a nice time! What a treat it will be for her to see your amazing yard!

sharon said...

great job Lorainne!...on the yard and the post

Heather said...

My my, you have been a busy girl... you are doing a fantastic job! I love not only to see your garden and what you are up to in it, but also all the lovely pics of your flowers... but goodness me, the little treasures you have found, so many uses, I love to find treasures and I can use in the garden!! Hugs.

Rebecca said...

I think I'm weird....I love seeing all the items you two picked up curbside just about as much as the "pretties". My mind just works that way.

Enjoy your time with your S.I.L. and take plenty of time to remember, to cherish the memories, to do the soul care required for getting through the times of grief & loneliness. ♥

RURAL said...

I do love your garden, it's lush growth so reminds me of the summers on the coast. Up here there is so little undergrowth, or moisture, so we have a different type of landscape look.

I love the way the ferns wind through the metal fence...sigh. perfect.

Jen

Ruth Hiebert said...

I admire how you tackle almost any work. I have to admit,my husband pampered me and so I don't do some of the very hard work.Stay strong in the Lord my friend.

L. D. said...

It is great to get out and work outside. Your flowers continue to do well. I like it when I can get a troubled spot cleaned up. Sometimes those bad ares stay that way for a long time and then once you face it you are glad that you did. We are waiting for a snowstorm to arrive. I don't know if I even want to take pictures. Take care and enjoy your visitor.

Antique ART Garden said...

You have been working very hard. I guess I am one of those bloggers you don't like who discourages you with trying all these tools you have around.I worry about you, because even if you know exactly what you are doing with a power tool, you can get injured. And if no one is close by, it is just not a good situation. I worry about my husband with his power tools, and he is a professional contractor.Just be very careful, and let others do the more dangerous jobs, I think you said your nephew and a friend offered to help. Take care.

Unknown said...

That is a lot of yard to take care of. Things seem to grow so well down there. You won't ever have to worry about not getting enough exercise. Once you get it all in order again it will be easier to keep it that way. You have your own little paradise.

Gayle said...

Everything seems to grow so quickly down there. It must be a full-time job to keep it cut back. Physical labor is good for the soul.

Nancy J said...

Lorraine, you are a tonic for all of us who struggle to get garden jobs done, your faith, strength, words you share with us, believe in yourself, DH is there by your side all the time, specially when using those new "gadgets". love the driveway photo, and the pansy faces. Beautiful. Fond greetings from Jean

Rose ~ from Oz said...

You are a busy girl indeed, gardening - some of it heavy going. Visitors, outings, keeping busy is a good thing. Pit bulls are banned over here! Is a 'saws-all' like our 'chain-saw'? If so, please be very very careful.
Thinking of you Lorraine,
Hugs
Rose

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

It will be so good for your husband's family to come visit. You can be there for each other. You continue to do so much. What a diverse property you have. Lots of corners all different from the next with treasures. GLad you didn't have to worry about the dog. Can't wait to see what you plant in the clay pipes. Those look neat and glass block are very versatile.
Pretty flowers as always. Here, we're all white right now.

Sandra said...

You always put so much love into your garden, I just love it :)

I do hope you have a wonderful visit with your sister in law.

Hugs and love,
Sandra

sweetbay said...

You have been getting so much work done! Please do be careful working with the tools and don't work too hard!

Looks lovely down there in Florida. Enjoy your visit with your SIL!

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Good to keep yourself busy, FL! What a great job and I know your dear DH would be pleased with what you have accomplished and continue to do! You are a strong spirited woman and that energy will keep you going FL! Freezing rain coming tomorrow! We'll be skating for part of the day! Loved the flowers and herbs! Love from the still frozen north! xxoo LVL and The Herbal Husband

tina said...

I hope you have a great visit with your sister in law. There is nothing like activity both in and out of the garden to take your mind off from sad things.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Lorraine, Bless your heart... My love and prayers are with you.. May God keep you in the palm of his hands.

Glad you have some company coming. I'm sure that will help. It's so hard at time to be alone I'm sure.

Looks like you have done alot of work in your yard. Looking GOOD.

Hugs and prayers,
Betsy

gld said...

Having company will be good for you and being family even better. Enjoy the time you have together and don't worry overmuch about cleaning! My Sis always tells me that.

I like the pictures showing the clean-up. That is what makes our gardens look good. I appreciate seeing a huge pile of debris because I know what it took to get it there.

The blooms are always appreciated.
The Bon Silene must bloom forever.

F Cameron said...

You've been so busy! Of course, your garden is always so lovely.

As for rosemary---I have a straight hedge of it growing in my gravel garden in full sun. I shape it lightly twice a year to keep it soft. Oh, the fragrance! And, cooking herb.

Take care.

Becca's Dirt said...

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. Goodness that's tough to deal with. I couldn't help but to cry for you when I read this. Glad you are gardening and still working. The gardening must be so helpful in your grief. Take care of yourself.

Kit said...

Yum, pineapple sage. I will have to get me some this year. Love the scent. You have so many great ideas for your place and you are moving forward with them. Mark would be proud. :) Have a lovely weekend and visit. Love, Kit

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Lorraine,
I'm glad you have your love of gardening to comfort you as you grieve.

I hope you are enjoying or did enjoy your company. I can't remember when you said they were coming.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Hi Lorraine! You are busy, busy, busy! Your post makes me want to go outside and work! Also, you reminded me about clipping neighbors' trees: they like our side!
Take care!

Susan said...

Hi Flowerlady...You know, you have managed to salvage a lot of neat pieces that give your garden a lot of character. I think those things are better than things you could have intentionally purchased, plus it does give you a chance to be real creative.

Glad to hear that you are expecting company. Hope the visit will be enjoyable. It sounds like you are making good progress in your spring cleanup. It does take time as there is lots to do this time of year. I've been slow to get my work done, but need to get myself going.

I'm also glad to see that you are receiving a lot of encouragement from friends and from books. I, too, turn to books for comfort and answers. You're never far from my thoughts. A big hug to you today!

Balisha said...

Hi Lorraine...You haven't posted in a while. Just checking to see if you're OK.
Balisha

Val said...

'Just thinking of you. I hope your visit with your sister-in-law was full of love and healing for you both. ♥

Karen said...

Hello Lorraine, I haven't heard from you and just wanted to check in to see how you are. I hope you are enjoying warm breezes and some good company. Hugs to you, dear lady.