August surprise

Greetings from Plum Cottage ~ I can hardly believe it's been almost another month since I've posted. Time is zipping right along. Fall is coming and I can hardly wait for cooler temps to get here. I basically hibernate, working outside weather permitting, in the mornings. It's just been too hot and humid. 

I had a huge surprise happen the last week in August. I have a new neighbor to the west of me. He bought the place and moved in the beginning of the year. He got hold of my other neighbor who lives to the west of the back of my property. The new neighbor is a young man who hadn't seen me and since he has long hair and tattoos he didn't know how I would react, hence his getting in touch with other neighbor. This other neighbor contacted me and new neighbor and I finally met the next Sat. He is 34, his hair is beautiful, auburn, his tattoos not scary. ;-)

 Anyway, the wood fencing between us was pretty bad and was not something I could immediately take care of.  When we talked, he had already made plans for a company to come out to take down old fencing and put up new. I was shocked, but also thankful. No money on my part. I had to clear some bushes, etc. from the property line and that had me in a bit of a tizzy as I only had a day to get ready. I survived.

The crew came Sunday morning to take down the old, and put up new 4x4 posts in cement to cure overnight. They were back on Monday to haul away old fencing and to put up the new. They put up fence slats and made true privacy fencing, no spaces to see through. They did a fantastic job and I'm still amazed at how this all came to be.

I had started new fencing on the back side of his property, and the neighbors who lived there and sold him the house, gave me $ to finish doing that fencing since they were selling and wanted it to look nice. I then had some $ left over to work on the other west neighbor's fencing, and he also gave me $ to take care of most of the fencing between us. So, now three runs of new fencing are up and there are just the two long sides to go, the back of my property and the driveway from street to back. They both are really in bad shape, but so far I don't see either of those neighbors helping, one is a landlord of the apts. next door, the other are renters. I don't expect them to, I mean, after all, it is my fencing that I should be replacing. All in good time, God will provide. He's already taken care of three sides and with Him all things are possible. He has surprised me with working those three sides out.

The other morning I came across a Bible verse in Proverbs 15:25, and am putting it in the picture below. He has certainly done this for me with new fencing.

 Now for some before and after pics of this project.

 I cut back holly as much as I could and cleared paths.

 

 

My property was open to the street out front for one night and I prayed for God's protection to keep people out. It is a 5 lane road out front and lots of stuff goes on at night.

This project has been more motivation for me to 'prettify' this place once again. It will never be pristine, it will always be a tropical cottage style garden. It won't be done overnight, and will be done when finances allow. For now, I will do what I can, as I can. Weed, propagate, plant, water and enjoy.

My friends Sean and Stan came two weeks ago and cut down more trees in the back of my property, stuff that had sprouted and become super overgrown. They've still more to do, but come here when they are able. They both have full-time jobs. I am so thankful for all of their help this year. The huge pile of brush was picked up Saturday.

On the 8th would have been our 52nd anniversary. I still celebrate, can't help it.  A sweet young couple, gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers that I am still enjoying a week later. Thank you Melissa & Paul.

 

I have flowers, critters, etc. to share but they will be for another post.

~~~

Remember to count your blessings.

Having a heart
full of gratitude
is good for us
spiritually,
mentally and
physically.

When blessings seems sparse,
as they sometimes are,
let us remember ones from the past.
They give us hope.
May God bless you all and keep you safe.  

 

Love, hugs and prayers,

FlowerLady