White After Labor Day- 9/11

"Not everything that can be counted counts,

and not everything that counts can be counted."
~ Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

 By any name: Garlic Chives , Perennial Chinese Chives or  Chinese Leeks, the late summer garden counts on their steadfast return. Their cheerful white after Labor Day stand in the garden is symbolic; even when the heat turns hostile-hot, God sends up gifts to nourish the butterflies.  




I thought it was a good idea to plant up a few. Turns out it was a GREAT idea- can you imagine how dull this little nook would be without their white smiles?

The herbal compadres have hopscotched all barren patches to where the garden bed bends at the back of the main garden. 

It is a matter of faith- they will steer themselves right around that corner.  

The flat bladed leaves are a petite versionista of leeks. The  reward for having gardened organically where they pop up is they can be used to replace now flopping- over chives in recipes.

For all the joy of a thousand or so blooming  garlic chives,  perhaps my favorite memory of the garden this holiday was the surprise of a single butterfly where it was not expected- just outside the first stained glass window I designed and built.

It rested on the succulent mound while I ran inside to get the camera.

Nothing can make a morning that starts off so well go wrong.

As 9/11/11 approaches, let us take some moments to celebrate the unity of the days that followed right after the attack that brought down the World Trade Center. 

Writers are taught show, don't tell. This link -Michael Israel -shows, through performance art, the best that rose came from the ashes of that tragedy. Thank you to Trisha Bowler for sending it our way.