Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Romance in the Garden - Seal Beach Presentation


"What I do and what I drink
include thee
as the wine must taste of its own grapes."
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning


 Romance in the Garden. This was the promised topic to present the  Leisure World Garden Club of Seal Beach. 
Sunset from our backyard
Preparing for the talk, visions of romantic moments tumbled through my conscience.  So varied the experience of a romantic setting; there are as many possibilities as moments in life.  
                              Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder, The Garden of Eden(1615) 

 Time to stop. Think. "What is the common thread?" I asked myself. How do I explain the sublime beauty of why love made real requires more than passion? More than scheming. More than hard work. 
Reno loves, and is loved.
My thesis is that the divine difference between man and beast is that while both are capable of love, only humans are capable of romance .
May 2011. My husband with our dogs
  Our dogs give us love. We give our dogs love. Only my husband and I are capable of romance with the other. 

My neighbor, Sandra, when she looks over the fence, this is her bird's- eye view of our garden in middle spring.
Just because the heat bares down hard here, calling this a "hell strip" isn't accurate. 
Truth is beauty. Beauty is truth. Romance is both.  When romance emanates from the garden, it fills the world with what the world needs more of. Doesn't it? 

 Gardens begin with a bit of dirt. A vision of what could be, if only... 
Through desire, mystery. With anticipation. And excitement...
Pruning is an opportunity for fragrant bouquets

Romance elevates the ordinary to extraordinary.  By imagining beautiful gardens, and finding ways to incorporate inspiration, in a way which is authentic to our lives, this is the truest path to happiness in this life.  

 The slide presentation was filled with examples from my own garden, as well as my scouting and writing career. From just a pot to over an acre- plots, gardens begin with a bit of dirt. A vision of what could be, if only... Through desire, mystery. With anticipation. And excitement...  a romantic garden is accessible to all. 

Some potted roses, live mint and a copy of Denise Schreiber's  delightful spiral bound Eat Your Roses were given out as prizes to the wonderful audience, who blessed me with their time and attention. 







(L-R) Judy Duvall, Me and Trisha Bowler. 

Until we meet again, THANK YOU for all you do to make the world more beautiful. 

Lydia 







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3 comments:

  1. nikkipolaniMarch 23, 2016 at 9:19 AM

    Thank you for these lovely words, Lydia, to remind me of the beauty and joy in the garden. After a difficult year with a ridiculous number of >100F days, I'd lost some of the joy of gardening.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oregon SueMarch 23, 2016 at 9:42 AM

    WOW your sunset was BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Sounds like a good day was had by all. xo

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  3. AnonymousMarch 23, 2016 at 12:47 PM

    Lydia, you presentation was lovely. My favorite is the view from your neighbors back yard into your back yard.
    The Garden Club must have greatly enjoyed your presentation as they invited you back next year.

    Thanks for taking me with you and thank you Judy for lunch. It was a fun day.

    XO Trisha

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