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.
