In the midst of shoveling mulch onto the soil in the garden, I moseyed on over to the lilac bush. It’s full of flower buds! More than last year. Huzzah!
Our crabapples are also blooming – the one next to the catalpa bloomed first.
I cannot tell you how all of this makes my heart sing.
As I said to Don yesterday, “I’m happier in the spring.” That’s just the way it is. I’m in the middle of a lot of the physical labor that is required to get the gardens and the property in shape, so my muscles are complaining; nevertheless, I love being out there.
There are challenges this year and some that will test my ability to do things on a very small budget. When we lost the huge limb on our maple, that part of the big garden bed was no longer in shade. The lovely crown vetch that worked as ground cover for approximately half of that huge bed gradually died off. Crown vetch only thrives in the shade. Consequently, I have large sections that have nothing growing and that was made clear when I was mulching yesterday.
I added a couple of plants last year, but I need to step up my game and add more this year. On a budget.
Then there is the unexplained absence of a couple of perennials that just didn’t emerge this year. One is the oriental poppy; it’s happened before, though. I remember a few springs where I just assumed it had died only to have it reemerge the next spring. It decided not to show itself this year. Also not showing itself – the scentimental balloon flower.
I think it has to do with the kind of winter we had. Ours was warm, then unbelievably cold, then warm, then cold – and many of the snowfalls started off as snow, turned to rain and then turned to ice. I suspect this has something to do with it. If I was more industrious, I’d track it. Anyway, I miss those plants.
On the other hand, the lone tulip that has been on this property for years and years has a flower about to open. For the past few years, only the leaves emerged. Go figure.
Gardening is rewarding and mysterious. And sometimes you just can’t come up with an explanation.
Blooming all over our lawn.
Soon, the buttercups will also be blooming.
Today is the fifth anniversary of my mom’s transition. I miss her every day. Not only was she my mom – the best mom – but she was also my friend. I really liked her. I miss talking to her. She adored all her sons-in-law, you know. One of my favorite memories: when she knew I was out of town working and Don was home by himself, she always called him. She looked forward to these nice, long chats. It was so sweet. Don loved it and I loved knowing that they had ‘their talks.’
I miss her. We miss her.
Happy Wednesday.
Oh I’m so much happier in Spring too. I can feel the weight of winter lift and I have so much more energy and zest for life. I realized yesterday that the Thundercloud Plum in our front yard has died. I’ll have to have it removed and figure out what to replace it with.
Have you thought about trading plants – dig up a little of yours and trade with a neighbor or friend for something of theirs? It would be cost saving.
Last I’m sorry you lost your Mom and I can only imagine how much you miss her. My Mom is in very poor health now and I know it won’t be long before she is no longer around and it makes my heart so sad. She is my friend. She was a strong woman who started her own business in the 1950’s while raising children. She taught me I can do anything I set my mind to.
Another sunny day – enjoy the gardening.
My neighbors aren’t big on gardening – sad to say!
Thanks, Karen!
It’s looking beautiful, Claudia. Isn’t it fun to see your perennials reappear? I always worry about my bleeding heart which reminds me so of my grandmother but they made it! No blooms for awhile but loads of leaves.
My mom’s transition was 42 years on Easter and I know what you mean about missing and liking your mother. We’re among the lucky ones, I think. I know I miss mine every day but especially on days like that, holidays, days with the kids. She’d be 100 in May if she still lived, so not around anyway, but somehow it doesn’t matter.
I was thinking about putting in a bleeding heart in the shade garden on the other side of the house. I saw one the other day that was lovely.
I think you never stop missing loved ones who have passed on. Thanks, Jeanie.
what a beautiful heartwarming post this is in every way.
my darling little mother also loved my Bob. and he adored her.
I too miss her to this day. she died of lung cancer at 51 years old.
I used to say she was a cross between Saint Bernadette and Auntie Mame!
she was just the best! warm and loving. and she loved to laugh. and she could SING! oh my.
I never went through the stage most teenagers do when they have trouble with their mothers.
perhaps I instinctively knew I wouldn’t have her that long. the marine and I both were close to her. . . only she didn’t get to live long enough to be able to meet his wife or their beautiful son.
and now he’s a Master Sergeant in Air Force Special Forces and has two sons of his own! time moves on.
I understand this post totally. and it’s a beautiful tribute to your mom! sending you love. XO
Thank you, Tammy. I cried a bit this morning when I was talking to Don about her.
xo
Have you read Gladys Taber? I love her sweet words about Spring. For me it is the gloom and doom of winter replaced with the glory of the new life of this season. The sun shines somewhat more beautifuly in the Spring. Your photos today are wonderful! I think you must be a week or two ahead of us in the blooming. We have the leaf buds forming on all of the trees and shrubs, but I haven’t seen any evidence of flowering soon to happen. We have a chance of snow flurries on Sat & Sun this weekend, so, I think flowering is a bit of a ways off for us.
Hope you are having a great Wednesday!!
Yes, I’ve read some Gladys Taber. I want to collect her books, but I haven’t managed to act on that idea yet!
No, no to snow flurries!!!!
Claudia, We’re having a hot period this week. I was surprised it hit 86 yesterday. I did an hour plus of garden work, all trimming, and will continue use today. Since it’s so hot, I gave my garden an extra dose of water via the irrigation system. Now to handwater the pots. I love Spring, too.
I can imagine how difficult it is to miss your mom, and your dad, so much, Claudia. I suppose it’s akin to how much I miss my husband. But, though I have wonderful memories of him, as you have of them, I do miss hugging, hearing the words, holding hands…
I’m thankful my 91-year old Mom is not only mentally alert but physically active. She’s a little dynamo. And, yes, she’s my Mom and my friend. My dad was always my number one advisor, and I miss who he was now that dementia has claimed some of his mind. He had good days and very bad days, but I’m grateful for the days he smiles widely and even laughs. Clear
reminders of who he is.
And, yes, both loved my late husband, but my Mom the most. She also loves her daughters-in-law, but there was something special between my husband and her. Her very first memory of him was his Mom and him walking to school in kindergarten or first grade. His Mom would bend down and he’d kiss her on the cheek before running off to play with friends in the school yard. Every morning my Mom witnessed this as she walked me to school. When we started dating years later, fell in love and announced our engagement, she couldn’t have been more thrilled. She always believed how a man treated his mother was an indication of how he would treat his wife. My Mom was correct. And, I would add, it’s also an indication of how he’d treat his mother-in-law. No monsters-in-law in my family!
I simply love that story about your mom and your husband. So, so beautiful!
I think it’s nice how you mentioned your mom amid Spring and new blooms; transition indeed, the seasons of our life in so many ways. I was lucky, too, that my parents loved their son-in-law and he loved them; can be so much the other way for some families; makes it harder.
Very interested to see how that lilac bush blooms since I know absolutely nothing about lilacs here on the West Coast; I have never been around lilacs, ever. I think you told me once that we don’t get cold enough here, after you’d experienced life with sun and warm temps in San Diego(?).
I understand the small budget gardening; we lost so many new plants when we ‘remodeled’ the yard five years ago for drought (took out water-hogging lawn, etc.); even though they were low-water plants or ‘natives’, they needed water daily to take hold and we were on water restriction. So disappointing, after handpicking everything from various nurseries and doing a lot of research; massive waste of money and my husband says ‘never again’. One thing he did do more recently was scatter meadow/wildflower seeds from packets and they’ve grown amazingly most of the year with a lot of color, so it was an easy, cost-effective solution (sorta) and they’ve attracted butterflies; we keep them trimmed back a little so that they don’t look TOO wild in terms of curb appeal.
After so much rain for us Southern Californians a few months back, many plants have responded well; for instance, my roses are in glorious abundance and I’ve had tons of callas this year so far (was so lovely to have the lilies for Easter). Conversely, our purple sage seems to have gotten TOO waterlogged and has all but disappeared; fingers crossed it’ll come back with summer’s heat.
(What am I saying, summer, when every day we seem to just be getting hotter and hotter, days on end in the 80s; I was about 2 hrs north of where I live yesterday, in a coastal environment, and it was over 90 degrees; most of the wildflowers have gone to seed and hills are browning up; sigh; was nice while it lasted, looking like photos I’ve seen of Ireland!
I meant the wildflowers going to seed in the hills, whereas ours in the yard keep blooming because we keep a bit of water on them on a somewhat regular basis. I had hoped to see more lupine or poppies on our little ‘scenic drive’ yesterday but, nope, only the mustard; we just didn’t get the superbloom, even with all the rain, not in my neck ‘o the woods. It’s very pretty, though, to see that yellow mustard on the sea bluffs, blue sky above and blue ocean below; I’ll take it! Wonderful combo of colors; so pleasant. (Where they DID have a superbloom was just an hour north of your San Diego, Claudia! I saw photos from March…Lake Elsinore…and it was so gorgeous.)
I well remember the mustard – saw it everywhere!
There are people who grow lilacs in Southern California – you have to make sure you buy a certain type and I guess they’re out there.
It was 78 degrees here yesterday which is way too warm for April! Today, it’s windy and the temps are back down to the 60x.
Thanks, Vicki.
Oh…you’ve got blooms…yeah! I’m always with my mom in spirit whenever I’m gardening. When my parents moved to Madison from the Milwaukee area in the 80’s, to be closer to us, they created a vegetable/flower garden in our backyard. I have many happy memories of them gardening with their grandchildren…and they were always there to help with other yard work chores. It was truly a family affair.
Now…I’m always reminded of what they planted…and how it’s doing. Tree’s and evergreens have grown mighty, some are gone, some are still standing. Tulips that my mom lovingly planted, taken from her yard before they sold their house, have long ago been eaten by squirrels. The rose garden that my dad taught me to cultivate was gradually eaten by deer. Bottom line…all these memories seem to surface in Spring. I miss my mom every single day. We had some great conversations when we gardened together…I miss those, too.
My mom had great luck with growing perennials from seed. You might consider doing that in your new sun garden. Sweet Williams I remember, were one of her favorites, and they self-seeded. It’s certainly budget friendly.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I understand. I miss talking to my mom and making her laugh.
I’m already growing morning glories, moonflowers and zinnias from seed. I don’t want to take on any other seeds! I may buy some cheap starter plants.
Your flowers are lovely. Our Tulips have bloomed. I know how you feel about missing your mom. My mom will be gone eight years in May. She missed her 100 birthday by several months. May your mom rest in peace.
Marilyn
I send the same thoughts for your mom, Marilyn. xo
Have you ever visited The Elephant’s Trunk country flea market in New Milford, CT? Besides lots of vendors with all kinds of antiquey stuff there are often a few selling plants. It’s a fun way to spend a Sunday morning and if you get there at 7AM or later admission is only $2.
Your garden is ahead of mine but lots of tiny buds and lots of winter damage this year.
Glad you have so many wonderful memories of your mom. <3
It’s a bit of a drive for me. I’ve only driven past the sign for it, never been. I’ll have to try to get there this summer, Betsy!
Thanks!
Quick thought, does your area have a master gardener program though your county extension office? Sometimes they have members who are more than happy to share their plant divisions.
Most likely. I’ll check it out! Thanks, Jen.
Hi Claudia, that gorgeous white violet! Is that what you call it or viola? Whatever, it is amazing to me as I have never seen one ! Do you have a lot of them or is it a lone “show off”? I have gone back to the picture a few times, it’s beautiful!
I think it’s a violet, but I’m not sure! We have many purple violets and some white – but not as many as the purple. Isn’t it gorgeous?
Hi . I understand about your mom. I lost my dad 5 years ago this Friday ,the 26. Miss him something terrible. I’ll always remember we both lost a parent at the same time. Hugs to you my blogging friend.
Thinking of you, Donna. We never stop missing them, do we?
Everything is so pretty as it blooms. We have some nice herbs and veggies growing right now thanks to my ex. He is a big ‘farm boy’ from south GA. I’m enjoying his gardening and his cooking!
I hope he’s feeling better, Linda.
I miss your Mom too. I am so lucky to have had her in my life as a second Mom.
She was lucky to have you, Kay. I miss your mom, too.