Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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The Garden, Leaving and Loss

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From the garden, as I prepare to leave tomorrow morning:

Texture.

Lamium – Dead Nettle
Lamium – Yellow Archangel
Jacob’s Ladder – poised to attempt a garden takeover while I’m away.
Catmint
Tulips – ready to bloom (but not, apparently, before I leave.)

My other daffodils (white with delicate yellow centers)- ready to bloom
(but not, apparently, before I leave.)

What’s blooming?
Violets scattered throughout the grass.

And my Wiegela bush.

Why do I have the feeling that bright and early on Monday morning, as I rise in Wisconsin, everything here will burst into bloom? I try to take comfort in this – since this has been such a late spring, maybe I’ll be able to catch a little of the Catalpa tree in bloom (which usually blooms the second week of June) and the tail end of the peonies when I return home on June 19th. Cross your fingers for me.
I’ve been waking up too early lately. There is much on my mind and much to do. Today I do laundry and pack – the usual ‘what to take for 7 weeks’ challenge. Don’t want to go. Don’t want to leave my husband, my dogs, my garden, my cottage.
On a sad note: Several bloggers have had to say goodbye to their beloved pets in the last week. My heart breaks every time I read one of these posts. Yesterday, my dear friend Donna had to say an unexpected and painful goodbye to her dear Fezzik. Fezzik was only a year old. He was still a puppy. Please know my thoughts are with you all. Saying goodbye to a beloved family member, whether at the end of a long life or suddenly without warning, is gut-wrenching. I can only say I understand your grief, your pain and the profound loss each of you has suffered. I do believe, with all my heart, that your beloved pets are with you in spirit.

Comments

  2. So sad…it’s so hard to lose a beloved pet. I take comfort knowing that they will all be with me someday. in fact there could be a riot with all of them trying to get on my lap first! As for your not yet blooming plants, your husband could take photos of them for you to enjoy and keep you updated that way. Of course, it is not the same as seeing them in person but a nice compromise! Have a safe trip Claudia!~Hugs, Patti

  3. Have a safe trip, Claudia. Hope you’ll keep us posted on how things are going for you? I loved reading your blog when you were in California last year. It felt like you took us with you:)

  4. Oh Claudia, I feel for you…I wold not like to be away that long either. I appreciated your sweet words about our beloved pets. My sweet boy has been gone for just over a week and I miss him so much. I too believe that his spirit is with me. I’ve seen a black butterfly 3 times this last week, I can’t help but think it’s my Toby telling me he’s alright and still here with us. Safe travels to you sweet friend.
    xoxo
    Karyn

  5. I can feel the sadness in your post. MAybe Your hubby can text you pictures everyday of the garden and pups while you are away. sort of a play by play of nature. Blessings, Joanne

  6. It must be very hard to leave your family and your garden… I give you credit for making it work.

    Sorry to hear of your friends losses… it’s the hardest part of pet ownership..losing them, especially when it’s too soon.

  7. Not having had pets as a child I’ve not completely understood the attachment to animals both my kids and hubby have to animals. We’ve had them but I told hubby when I had to put down our dog that we couldn’t have another until he could do it. He can’t and I won’t go through it again. HOWEVER, I do know that they are a part of a family and are loved much. I also KNOW that they have spirits just like humans and will be with us in the next life. How could they not?! Yes, all those people and YOU will have old pets in the afterlife, sugar. I can promise you that.
    xoxo,
    Connie

  9. I left a comment on Donna’s blog. And tried to leave her an email, but it wouldn’t go through for some reason, though I tried several times. I am sorry you have to leave your beloved home, husband, pets and gardens. Not necessarily in that order. Maybe we’ll get some good talks in.
    Brenda

  10. Hi Claudia,
    I love the photos of all of your perennials and can feel your reluctance to leave home and miss the first blooming. Home is the best place of all…a great place to know you can return to soon.
    Safe travels,
    Cheryl

  11. Claudia, have a safe and happy trip, thanks for posting about Dee’s Fezzik…..so sad. I don’t have any pets but I have experienced the loss of them. I hope your garden hangs in until you are back….wouldn’t that be a blessed sight? Love the Jacob’s Ladder, it is so pretty!!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

  15. Claudia, I have so appreciated your thoughts and comments and will hold out hope that when you return your garden will be waiting for you with brilliant beauty. Have a safe trip, hope we are able to share some of it with you and I hope your hubby can take pictures of what is sure to be a beautiful garden at your home. Ann

  16. I hope your trip is at least enjoyable, I understand leaving home and loved ones is uncomfortable. It helps me to take a few little “home-ish” things with me when I traveled.

    Your pictures of your garden are beautiful. I especially enjoyed the violets.

    cyn

  17. Claudia safe travels to you my dear. Your garden is lovely. Maybe you can still enjoy some of it when you return home to your beautiful cottage. My heart is broken over Fezzik. May you have good weather and sunshine smiles…

  18. How heart breaking for her to lose her pup and such a young age… it’s always sad, but he hadn’t even lived yet. Hugs to your friend.

    Di

  19. 7 weeks IS a long time to be away – especially hard in gardening season when everything is so lush. I’m leaving next week too, but just for 2 weeks, long enough for grass to grow tall, blossoms to open and shrivel, weather to turn hot here in the south.

    Take care dear, hope it goes well. Perhaps Don can get those cuties to bark over the phone now and then!

    Safe travels – I’ll keep up with you as I’ll take my laptop across the pond – technology is a blessing at times!

    Hugs – Mary

  20. Hi my dear….
    I hope the time away flies on by so that you can return to your beautiful family and home! Hey, I’ve not been blogging much, but just HAVE to tell you how much my hubby and I are enjoying Don’s CD! It is wonderful and we can really relate to the lyrics…especially the PF Fliers!

    My heart goes out to anyone who loses a pet. They are family.

    xxoo
    Becky

  21. Once again, you have a beautiful garden that is going to get even more beautiful. I sure hope that some of the beauty hangs on for you. be sure that your hubby takes pictures and sends them to you. Packing for seven weeks is not easy. Will you have access to a laundry?

  22. I saw your comment on Cozy Little House and when you mentioned McCoy my ears perked up! I do a lot of thrift store shopping and always enjoy finding some McCoy or other vintage pieces. Hoping the flowers stay around long enough for you to see them in person.

  23. Pets brings so much to our lives while they are with us that when they pass on they leave a hole in our hearts the size of Texas. Several doggie friends of mine crossed the Rainbow Bridge in the last several weeks and I still get teary remembering them. Your condo looks inviting and you will undoubtedly be kept so very busy that the 7 weeks will be over sooner than you expect. Isn’t it cool though that you have such a wonderful life partner, a home & garden you so dearly love, and fur babies that are just the best so that you hate being away from them for any amount of time.

  24. Hi dear,
    oh how I understand you not wanting to go away, from all this beautiful things, soon to bloom all over–but if you are like me…. when you are first there, all will be ok- and I`m sure you will feel pleasure in what you are doing.:)
    Big hug-Dorthe

  25. HAVE A SAFE TRIP CLAUDIA, YES….A LOSS OF AN ANIMAL IS VERY SAD. I STILL MISS MY REILLY OF 14 YEARS. YOUR GARDEN IS BEAUTIFUL, GOD BLESS YOU. RIZZI

  26. wow- your garden is looking so beautiful already. I hope Don is taking lots of pictures for you. I’m trying to catch up and I know you are already in Wisconsin- I’m thinking of you Claudia and I hope the time passes quickly and you are home with your loving family in no time ♥

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