When a cactus gives up its first flower, you dress up the occasion. Paola Prints new Creamsicle scarf seemed just the ticket. The cactus survivor is an Eastern prickly pear Indian fig. The red center suggests a variety called “Devil’s Tongue”-native to some parts of eastern North America. Like Connecticut. Related Images:
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The garden exudes a sort of quiet fullness this time of year. In color, light and foliage quality. At the same time, there’s always a bittersweet nostalgia when faced with the end of summer. Nature is about to finish what it started last Spring. Then back to school. Autumn clean up. Why not take a road trip, visit a park you haven’t seen before? Related Images:
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The hot weather and abundant foliage drive home the fact that summer is just around the corner. And color, is really and truly on the move. Related Images:
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My name is Mary and I spent the entire day in the garden. If you’re not a stranger to obsession, you’ll understand where I’m coming from. You start with the best of intentions and before you know it, the day is OVER and you just noticed. This time it started as I tackled the insidious azalea fungus. It’s been a few years since I’ve confronted that problem. Happily, the disease appears contained to the one azalea that lives farthest from its relatives. Related Images:
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A mysterious variety requiring a little more attention. And nothing ate the parrot tulips- even as other varieties got chomped. Have your tulips been eaten this year? Mine have! Even a hosta spear was gutted. Since this is the enclosed garden’s second year, perhaps the creatures have just discovered a new produce source. Related Images:
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The “robbing” robins are back. Spring is just about here. The large robin I spied out the kitchen door was busily gathering up detritus for its new nest. When it landed on top of the bamboo fence I knew where it was headed -to the front door light sconce- a favorite spot. Four times we’ve now cleared and hidden the nest supplies. Wait, is it possible we could use these guys to clean the garden? Related Images:
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Historically, fairy tales have provided an important building block in literature and also in peoples lives. Also called “wonder” tales, fairy tales are stories about living that share universal themes across culture and history. Good over evil, a reverence for aging, beauty, magic, kings, queens, life and death. Related Images:
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Eleanor is a small terracotta planter we bought at Campo de’ Fiori in Sheffield MA. The pot was modeled after a friend of shop owner Robin, who grew up in Rome. The store takes its name from a small piazza where his mother used to buy flowers and vegetables. My Eleanor is outside in the garden on the stone wall- waiting for warmer weather so we can decide what kind of plant hairdo she’ll wear. However. April is the cruelest month. Are your buds covered with ice again? Related Images:
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I was thinking about St. Patrick’s Day and the poem “Sea Fever” popped into my head: “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky; and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.” John Masefield was actually an English poet, born in 1878, attended King’s School and later trained as a merchant seaman. He deserted his ship in New York and worked in a carpet factory, returning home to write poetry about the sea. He was appointed British poet laureate in 1930. Related Images:
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It’s blowing and snowing like crazy outside. Beautiful to see. Do you love it? Part of it is knowing we’re winding down to Spring in style. Working for oneself does have an upside. You don’t drive out in a storm. And usually you can work from home when the weather is bad. Related Images:
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