Sunday, June 12, 2016

Rain & projects

 

Hi Folks ~ Here it is early Sunday evening. No rain so far today, but we’ve had quite a bit off and on over the last  3-4 days, turning Plum Cottage gardens into more of a jungle than it already was.

Last week I accomplished some small projects that made me shed a few tears of relief, joy and thankfulness. My main rake handle had broken off at the connection to the rake head. I filed down the handle and rescrewed it to the rake head. Yay # 1. Then I took a new tree saw blade and attached it to my pole cutter. Yay # 2. I then proceeded to cut some limbs from a small tree out by front patio. Yay # 3.

The rubber tree was about 6-8 ft. taller than shown in picture below. The taller growth to the right has wonderful scented blooms at a certain time of year. I can’t remember the name of it right now.  There’s still more trimming to do of vines, etc. in and around this area. I had to quit that morning after a couple of hours because my right heel was really hurting and I was limping. Hopefully this week I can do more tree trimming along the driveway, of limbs from the neighbors trees that are hanging into my space and starting to hang down.

06-09-jungle2

I also did another little project with the rain barrel that same day. During a heavy down pour I had noticed that the gutter to barrel was gushing water up and over the end of gutter, instead of going down the spout into the barrel.  I got up on my nice ladder and proceded to unclog the down spout, then I replaced the screening on the top and put the cover back on. Yay # 4.

These may not seem like big deals to you but to me they are big. Being a widow has definitely changed my lifestyle. I now have to figure out how to do things myself, as much as I can do myself, and then go for it. I was happy with my small accomplishments and look forward to doing more.

Here are some more jungle pictures.

This first one is looking west. You can see the speed limit sign just above the hedge. The sidewalk and 5 lane road are there on south side of property. The tall grassy plant is my lemon grass.  Some of the seed stalks are about 8’ tall. There is a path between the blue bottles and the white arbor.

06-09-jungle3

This is a veiw looking west of the main garden.

06-09-jungle4

This is the main entry into cottage, the screened porch off the kitchen. Queen Crepe Myrtle in full bloom. When the flowers are spent, I’ll prune them off and more blooms will come. Smile

06-09-jungle5

Here’s a view of the secret butterfly garden area.

06-09-jungle

Speaking of butterflies. I ‘missed’ seeing the butterfly come out of the chrysallis. I was sitting here in my space and started hearing a racket to my right. Low and behold it was the butterfly ready to fly out of its’ enclosure. I grabbed my camera and then headed outside to let it go. Sorry for the blurry picture. The butterfly was a Polydamas Swallowtail. As soon as I got the lid open, it raced off, up, up and away.

06-08-polydamas-swallowtail

During the rainy times, I worked on another needlework piece. This was a belated hostess and combined housewarming gift. The background color is turquoise, not that blue that the camera picked up. The couple has  some sea decor and the color of at least one of their walls is turquoise. I crocheted the fish, starfish, sand dollar and the little conch shell. There are seed and bugle beads, abalone shell bits, sea shells, fresh water pearls,  & bits of coral. It was a fun project. This was about 4”wide by 6-7” high.

06-11-for-m-c

It is the start of a new week and I hope it is good for all.

I will close with a poem I wrote.

***

Oh how I love to watch the butterflies,
Flitting about on wings
powered by the sun's warm rays.

From flower to flower
by the hour
they sip the sweet nectar that sustains them in their flight.

God says,
Take heed my child, as you watch these 'flying flowers'.
See how they gently, unfearingly go about their way?

They are in my care,
as you are,
even more than they.

FlowerLady
Written the morning of 16 June 2008

14 comments:

Leslie Kimel said...

Oh, I love the jungle-y look of your gardens. So romantic. I'm so glad you got rain. We got a few drops today--just enough to get the laundry wet.

I enjoyed seeing your new needlework project. It has so many adorable details. I love the pearly bubbles coming out of the fish's mouth.

Jane said...

Good job Rainey! I'm sure with your weather your garden can get out of hand quickly. Even up North a bit of rain and heat turns things into a jungle. I'm sure the hostess will love the gift. Very cute!

Hugs

Jane

Ruth Hiebert said...

You are so ambitious when it comes to fixing things and taking over the care of your garden. I have to admit that I don't or can't do so many of those things.Thankfully I have great neighbours and a wonderful son who are willing to do a lot of the yard work.

Darcie said...

What a beautiful poem!!! I didn't realize that you wrote poetry...you have a gift!

Sorry to hear that your heel is still giving you grief. :-(

Your place always intrigues me, so fun to see more pictures!

Deb J. in Utah said...

Hello Lorraine - You are so resourceful. I love how you are so self-sufficient! You garden is so beautiful. I love it. Great gift for you friend. Hope the coming week is a good one for you!

Janneke said...

To start with your ending: I love your poem!
And then your jungle garden, it is just the style I like and after the rain it will be growing and growing.
Your needlework is a pretty piece of "sea-art".
Wish you a happy week in your jungle my dear FlowerLady!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I can totally understand why you are and should be so proud of yourself for being able to complete the tasks that you are completing.

All my life, well it seems that way after being married for 45 years, I have depended on Terry to do the "guy stuff". That is how he was raised to I went along with it. Anyway, now that his RA has limited what he can do, I find myself lifting and pulling and using power tools and fixing plumbing....so many...too many tasks to name. I used the Saw All yesterday!!

I applaud you for how well you are adjusting to doing the tasks that you aren't accustomed too.

Your garden looks great. I love that look..
xx, Carol

Rebecca said...

Those are HUGE accomplishments in MY "book"!
And OH how I love the cushion your jungle provides from the traffic!
That is my kind of space.
Is there no end to your creativity & talents? What a fine poem your wrote and shared.
And what a beautiful treasure your hostess gift is.
Have a blessed week, Lorraine.
May your energies match your ambitions ♥

Janice said...


There's so much beauty in your gardens...I love the ferns winding their way in and out.
Your needlework, as always, lovely. _Janice

Stephanie said...

Hi sweet friend! Oh, what a joy to pop in for a visit. And what a delight to see your beautiful photos. It looks like you live in the glorious jungle :)

The poem you wrote is simply wonderful! Have a blessed week. Hugs!

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Doesn't it just feel wonderful to be able to tackle a big project all by yourself? I am determined to learn how to use more power tools so I can learn some woodworking. Now all I need is more time off in order to accomplish all this! Good for you, Lorraine - you are multi talented!

Kasztanowy Domek said...

Great garden!!!:))

xxBasia

M.K. said...

Lovely, comforting poem, FL :) I think we'll have to start calling you JANE since you're now living in the jungle - haha! I love the bead work you show there at the end. You're so talented! And I understand totally about accomplishing "small" tasks. They are not small, esp. when you have a list of 4 or 5 that have been needing to be done. It makes you feel so good to get them done!

June said...

Your garden is so lovely Lorraine! Thank you for sharing it with us, I just wish I could walk in it with you!
Sending hugs. . .