What was to be a work day outside yesterday turned into a rainy day. All day. Not heavy rain, just a constant light rain. Curses! I was surprised by the rain. Did I check the updated weather forecast? I’m not sure now. All I can say is that I was sure it wasn’t going to rain, so at some point, that’s what the forecast said.
Anyway.
This is going to be one of those weeks where there are maybe two days without rain. Today is one of them. Thursday is the other. I know we need the rain, but frankly, it’s cramping my style!
I forgot to share these pictures with you. When I was in NYC last week, Don told me that he wanted to show me the courtyard behind his building, so we went out the back door and saw this:
Someone is gardening there. I suspect it is the tenant on the first floor because it looks like that apartment opens on to the courtyard and I saw some grow lights and seedlings inside. (Yes, I peeked through the window.) Is it open to all of the tenants? I think so, because you can get out there quite easily. Nevertheless, I think it’s probably part of that tenant’s lease. Don’s going to find out.
Isn’t that neat? Another way to grow things in the city.
I’m fascinated and want to learn more, of course. But we didn’t linger, just in case we weren’t supposed to be there. There are other raised beds and this contraption looks like it was an investment, so I think my instinct about it being the ground floor tenant’s domain is correct.
I saw her one day. Hopefully, I’ll run into her again and we can chat a bit.
Don’s great friend of 45 years and his wife were in town from California yesterday and they saw the show. They loved it, of course, as does everyone who sees it. Then the three of them went out for dinner. I chatted with them via FaceTime. There’s nothing like a friend who has known you for that long. Incidentally, both Don and his friend Adrian have the same surname. I’ve known Adrian as long as I’ve known Don, and I got to work with him when I was back at the Old Globe several years ago coaching the Shakespeare Summer Repertory. If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you might remember that Adrian had his dog with him and his apartment was right next to mine so I got to hang out with both of them.
Old friends are the best.
Happy Monday.
What a cool way to garden in the city. Ashleigh had some really cool grow planters and had a great harvest of butter beans one year. With the drought in Cali she hasn’t done much gardening though.
Everyone has to adjust to the drought conditions. It wasn’t nearly as bad when I lived there, but it sure is now.
I love that Don is discovering hidden gardens and sharing them with you, Claudia. When I replaced the lawn with a more drought-tolerant landscaping, my water bill actually went up. It’s because the back lawn was a big patch of dirt that I didn’t water. Now the big patch of dirt is full of planting. I’m not stingy with water for my garden but I do save gray water from fish-washing and rinsing produce, use gray water as much as I can, and we’ve minimized the time under the shower head, only do full loads of laundry….well, you get the picture. We’ve learned to live with this drought.
You have to adjust and take actions that are less of a drain on the water supply and you are doing that!
For getting rained out, it still turned out to be a nice day.
I’m fascinated with the here & there ‘secret’ garden oasis of a big concrete jungle of a city. This space which may ‘belong’ solely to the first-floor tenant could be so many things, even a contained yard for a dog to give it some outdoor square footage and allow it to stretch its legs without I guess finding a park to walk in, which must be brutal in bad weather for dog and dog walker. I’ve seen some articles where wealthy apartment dwellers (top floor tenants) sometimes have elaborate garden areas on the roof or penthouse and I’ve often wondered how that works, with so much weight from the top down; of course, some of them even have swimming pools.
Anyway, yes, another special ‘find’ for Don, and you. I hope you do get to speak with the tenant and get her blessing for grabbing some quiet space back there sometimes for yourselves although of course you also have the community garden. It separates you from throngs of people on the streets; crowds/noise. For people like you and Don who have become accustomed to the country life, this is a small bridge, especially for him, between that world and his current one. So nice.
He went to the garden this morning and sat for a while. He ended up taking pictures for a bride and groom who were there with their wedding party.
I’ve watched the old reruns of the HBO series called “Sex And The City” and there’s a scene in that show where one of the main characters stumbles upon what sure appears to be a community garden behind a fence/gate and she winds up being married there because she didn’t want anything ostentatious. There’s also that whole sweet part in the movie, Notting Hill, with Julia Roberts and the discovery of a gated-off garden/park which is only for the surrounding residents. I think the idea of “Secret Garden” appeals to us, especially if we read the book when we were a kid.
Your husband is such a nice guy. Perfect guy to ask to take your picture because he’d be so gracious!
Secret Gardens are utterly charming.
It all just goes to show…if you love to garden, you will find a way! I am amazed at what lengths city dwellers will go through to garden…this is a perfect example. Sure hope you get to chat with the garden’s owner…should be an interesting conversation.
Hope the rain lets up….quite wet here again….no respite til Wednesday it appears. We’ll have to all start gardening on the fly! ;)
I hope so too!
We, too, have been having many rainy days. Several more are predicted for the week ahead as well. Everything is vibrant green, so that is one good outcome.
The birds have been plentiful this year. We are right in the middle of town with houses all around and we have 5 Baltimore Orioles frequenting our jelly feeder. We have been filling it twice a day. We also have a Red Breasted Grosbeak couple, and Indigo buntings!! We have had them come by before, but never stay this long. Not sure what is causing all of that, but it has been a joy.
Another garden in the center of the city. Makes one wonder how many more could be found. I am fascinated by the raised planters. We have seen a lot of them this year. As I get older, I can surely understand their merit! Hope you get to meet the tenant responsible for the beauty in the courtyard, and have a chance to chat. Have a good Monday, Claudia!
You are popular! I love Indigo Buntings but I have never seen one in person. As far as I know they aren’t found around here.
I hope the rain brings wonderful growth for your flowers. We have it here in Michigan too.
Lots of rain ahead. At least I don’t have to hand water my seeds!
am glad for don getting to spend time with long-term friends and that you could join via technology.
and what a pretty little garden behind his building!
we are supposed to have a couple days of rain, too, and i am glad about that. i love rain and today would be an especially great day for some (i have the day off from work today)!
hope you have a great week.
kathy in iowa
Enjoy your rain, Kathy! I’m not such a fan – mostly because I have to get things done! Thunderstorms tomorrow.
What a lovely garden. It is amazing what can be done even in a city yard.
Marilyn
Truly amazing. Thanks, Marilyn!
How nice that she has that space to garden…calling for rain and thunderstorms all week here!
Same here, Nancy! Frustrating, isn’t it?