I don't remember which earthquake it was. I only remember that it took about 6 months before Gerry installed the ceramic address plate with construction adhesive. Duct tape held it in place. When the earth shook, I remember thinking, if it isn't still up on the wall when we checked for damage, it just wasn't meant to be.
Please don't tell anyone I may have been as happy to see it up on the wall as I was to see the wall up. But I was.
To be totally honest- it wasn't just that I was tired of fighting diseases that I wanted to get rid of the poodle bushes. Medical reasons are something a man understands at a molecular level. 33 years, 11 months of marriage have taught me to remember to put what he will think is the best argument when I want him to agree with me with as little fuss as possible. So when it was put to him that the plants were sick and should be euthanized to put them out of their misery- what choice did my husband have but to agree?
To be totally honest, I should confess that I never tried that hard to heal the bushes because I love this sign more than a bush which reminded me of Marie Antoinette's hairdo. Too big. Too tall. Too much maintenance for something I didn't love.
What will take its place is obvious. When the season comes, a fuchsia should be lovely. As much like in the plaque as possible. The bell shaped flowers will please the hummingbirds. They will blend right into my garden style.
Looking at vignettes is a good way to read individual garden style. On the end of gracefully arched stems, 'Ballerina' roses bow from the weight of adorable hydrangea-like bouquets .
Four little fan trellises were turned upside down to make a pedestal for this stained glass globe. Before this afternoon, it was installed on the edge of the picture window- but the edge of the property needed somethingwhere the New Zealand tea tree had succumbed to shade to define it . Don't you love the informality of how it peaks from behind the purple-robed whorles of commonly available Mexican Sage?
At its feet is now a South Seas Daylily.
Puttering about in the garden, I thought about what Trisha Bowler wrote about the front entrance should speak to visitors about who lives inside the home. What my garden speaks of is beyond cottage style. We are Romantics, with a capital R.
What does your garden say about you? If it isn't accurate, it's time to change.
This image of South Seas Daylily was found at mail order source Dutch Gardens. Locally, I picked up mine at the Cal Poly Farm Store.
LOL, "What does my garden say about" me? It says that I do the minimum to achieve harmony between my back and the earth! I have plants that require little attention and thrive on plain old water. I used to be so involved and a garden 'nut', but this aging process has taken the wind out of my creativitiy. These days I would rather stand in the kitchen and create delectible field goals that bomb the tongue and appetite with blissful delight! I do love your garden, L. Such beauty. And so that says you are beauty. Inside and out. Your heart and love of Mother Earth resounds in your garden. Romantic? Way more than that.
ReplyDeletexo Oregon Sue
Sue- Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI hope some day to travel up your way so I can meet both you and your garden. From photographs you graciously share, I see a pleased acceptance of where you've been, for what you have and an appreciation for God's abundant blessings.