Garden surprises:
I thought this endless summer hydrangea was not going to bloom at all this year, There was absolutely nothing but leaves all summer long. But a week or so ago, I noticed two blooms developing. And here we are.
Never give up, I guess!
And yesterday, as I was walking by the memorial garden, I thought I spotted something. I quickly went back and way up in the garden behind another plant was a tiny rose. I had a little bush up there that had died. In fact, I removed most of it – all of it, I thought. But there, in its place, was a tiny plant with some leaves and this:
An unexpected delight!
It’s been such a strange summer for the gardens and the trees. As I write this, it’s raining again. We had to snatch the opportunity to mow yesterday because a dry day is rare around here. Once again, the grass had grown way too long because it rains every day so we can’t mow. Mowing was exhausting, as we had to constantly stop to remove the grass that was clogging the chute. We might resort to cutting that section of the front lawn more frequently so we don’t have deal with so much tall grass. Of course, you can only do that if it doesn’t rain.
The good news: after today, we have over a week of dry weather in the forecast.
Woke up at 4:30 am this morning. So did Don. The a/c had shut off because I forgot to put it on the correct setting, It was too warm for me. Don says it wasn’t too warm for him, he just happened to wake up too early. Needless to say, we’re tired and a wee bit cranky this morning.
The enormity of the losses in Morocco and Libya is heartbreaking, I can’t stop thinking about these horrific tragedies within days of each other. Those poor people. We are seeing the evidence of climate change in hurricanes, fires, floods, drought, excessive temperatures (I’m sure I’m leaving something out of this list.) What kind of world are we leaving behind? And what are we doing about it? Not enough, and whatever we do now may be too late.
I’m in such a dark mood this morning that I could go on and on about the state of the world and our country. But I’ll stop there. Older and, hopefully, wiser.
Sometimes.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I wish I could send you some of our cooler weather. I had to turn on the heat last night. Today should be sunny and 60s. I love your hydrangea and sweet new flower. I noticed flowers and baby berries on some of my strawberry plants when I was pulling out sweet peas and weeds. You’re right about weird gardens! So much to do outside it is overwhelming. I see why people get condos! (Or have yard folk.) Unfortunately, neither is in my cards so it’s out with the clippers.
Life feels very heavy these days.
I don’t even try to clean up the gardens. Everything stays because it’s of some use to birds and other critters. But the lawn is another story.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
We aren’t leaving behind a world, the world is leaving us behind.
Gardens here are much better off this year because we too are seeing more rain. So unusual for us to get rain in July, August, and September. It’s been nice, but strange.
Your little survivor rose is beautiful. I hope it continues to thrive. I also hope your day gets better.
We’re leaving a damaged world for our descendents.
Thanks, Elizabeth.
Stay safe.
I was a little darker than that. This beautiful planet that we are destroying does not need us — we need it. It will be fine. We will be gone.
xoxo
Nice little flowery surprises for you. Guess all that rain was good for something in the end. Glad you have some dry days to look forward to. I lay in bed last night mentally adding up the death totals from the Maui fire, Morocco earthquake and Libya floods and thinking none of those people ever thought their cause of death would be “climate change.” So sad. And we as a country are so far behind in doing anything about it. There are still politicians saying it doesn’t exist. Plus we had the four years of the Trump administration wiping even the words from federal websites. They should all be ashamed.
I’m afraid my mood isn’t the best either. Been dealing with a health issue that isn’t a biggie but will require minor surgery (yuck). And it’s time for my 6 month cancer check up which puts me on edge until the “all clear.” It was a year ago today I had my surgery and it is much on my mind today.
Still, it’s a beautiful day and I’m going to pick up my new iPhone which is 6 versions ahead of the one I’ve long had. Discovered my building problem reading stuff on my phone can be cleared up with a slightly bigger screen and the improved graphics so I’m excited.
Take care,
Kay
I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with health issues, Kay. And I’m sure the check up is a source of worry, as well. Sending white light and prayers to you. All will be well.
Stay safe.
Thanks, Claudia.
k
sorry for what you’ve been dealing with. praying for you, kay!
kathy
so nice of you, Kathy.
k
A friend of mine was told last week by a landscaper that it didn’t make sense to clean anything up at this point, just let things die off during the winter, and then in March try to cut back the jungle. I can’t imagine having to mow in a way that can keep up with the growth. You may have heard there are two cities in Massachusetts who are living with the threat of bursting dams. between the states that were baking all summer, and the ones that were flooding all summer, it’s an incredibly dangerous, deadly, and expensive season. Hoping for a winter respite.
That’s what I’ve always done. I learned that early on.
The plants provide cover and shelter for insects and birds. Plants like my coneflowers and yarrow provide seeds.
I didn’t hear about the cities in MA. I’ll have to read about that.
Stay safe, Nora.
dear Claudia/Don — beautiful pics of your flowers , thanks for sharing them. Yesterday,9/12, we received 1/4 in of rain which was wonderful — no more for us, atleast for 10 days — thankful to get every drop we can. hoping y’all stay safe/healthy
Hurrah! So glad you got some rain!
Stay safe.
what beautiful, happy surprises you have in those flowers … sweetness to balance all the rain you’ve been getting.
i, too, worry about the environment now and what kind of world we are leaving for those that follow us. if we as a society do nothing, if our political ‘leaders’ continue to kick the proverbial can down the road (for any number of ‘reasons’) and show their hypocracy in using private jets and allowing factory dumpings into the air and water (among other things), especially without even trying, we are indeed very short-sighted, selfish and will be in more trouble than we are right now. at least a dozen years ago, a co-worker tried to chastise me about climate change. she kept saying people are not causing a problem because to the world “we are like ants … we are like ants!”. i asked her if she’d ever had ants in her home or garden and seen what they can do. without intending to (because they are ants), they do a lot of damage! she took a job working on a farm to help teach people to grow food. i wonder how she views things now.
ugh. prayers (including for all the people whose lives were ended or have otherwise been traumatized) and my own efforts continue.
…
on a happier note, have you and don now finished reading “war and peace”? that is (will be) quite an accomplishment! doubt i will ever attempt that book, but (even though knitting, etc. have slowed down) i am so grateful to be reading again!
need to get going. delivering a present for a soon-to-be-5 little boy in our family today. :)
happy, safe wednesday to everyone!
kathy
I’m way ahead of Don on War and Peace. He’s still on the normal daily schedule. I’ll be done soon but without enough sleep I couldn’t handle reading the epilogue today.
Stay safe.
I just read a fabulous book on climate change. It’s called “No Too Late” (subtitle: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility) It was written by writers/activists Rebecca Soling and Thelma Young Lutunatabua, but contains essays from all sorts of people working on the front lines of climate change activism. I would recommend this book to everyone. I love the positivity of the book (what we do have time to do and change and what that takes), while at the same time, they don’t minimize the awful realities of climate change. I think you’d really like it, Claudia.
Thanks so much for the recommendation, Jenny!
Stay safe.
Love the flower photos! That rose has the most delicate tint! I was up that early, too, but was able to go back to sleep for a bit. The devastation in Morocco and Libya is heartbreaking. Sadly, our world has been dragging it’s feet for years on climate change… it’s not a new revelation……and sad that many don’t recognize it…..
Climate change. It’s something we all need to understand and do something about. We are all the “they” people are referring to when we hear the phrase “they should do something about it”. We can all do our part. There is hope, I believe. Beautiful pink hydrangea and tiny, perfect rose. Hugs, Elaine
Thanks Elaine.
Stay safe.
I agree.
Stay safe, Barrie.
3-4 inches of rain in 1 hour this morning; accompanied by loads of very loud thunder. All the streams/rivers have overflowed, turning cornfields, baseball fields, hiking trails, a tree farm and nursery, and roads into giant lakes. Lots of rocks from hills and walls and many people’s gravel driveways are in the roads. Our little town’s fire department and public works department had their hands full today. We were lucky. No damage here. So glad we had the roof replaced two years ago and while our asphalt driveway is very old and cracking it held up.
I will say this again- I am so tired of rain and thunder!!
Tomorrow is another day. Hoping for a dry one!
Hope everyone is safe and dry.
You got a lot more than we did, Betsy. Glad you’re safe. I am over it. Endless thunderstorms and torrential rains this summer – almost on a daily basis.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, my Endless Summer hydrangea did the same thing this year. No blooms at all until a couple of weeks ago! And the little Rose sport is beautiful! Roses send down a deep tap root, and if you didn’t dig too deep, it probably has loved this rainy season and might now survive!
As for climate change, we should never think it is too late to start… there lies defeat before trying! I watch an interesting show on the Weather Channel called “Pattrn” all about climate change activism and the astonishing grassroots things people ARE doing to counteract and change things. It is fascinating and enlightening. I know it is hard to feel positive… but I believe we can make a difference. I hope your day gets cheerier!
I don’t think it’s too late to start, but we’re cutting it very close!
Stay safe, Betsy.
Ooh, you have the most beautiful flowers, and photos of everything around your place. Guess that we can’t worry about tomorrow. We just never know tomorrow, but I do think about all the babies and young children and hope that they have a good future. It’s been beautiful out today. Going to get out my yellow bike (I have a yellow kayak too!), before the day is over. Take care, Claudia – you’re awesome to so many people!
Thanks so much, Irene!
Stay safe.