turk's cap lilies

Well I was wrong, silly me. These are the golden turk's caps and they are totally stunning against the bronze red plum leaves.


















Went back to the ranch again to visit best friend. Political tension was not so high this time, they were able to talk about other things as well. I figured out that the reason they had never before been so rabid about politics is because they never had Fox News before they moved here and got Dish Network. Now they believe everything they hear on that blighted network and I feared I had lost the only real soul friend I've ever had. This time she was back to her softer self and I felt a bit more comfortable. Also for the first time I used Caroline Myss's method of looking at the situation symbolically. It was greatly helpful because I was able to get past feeling threatened by their vitriol and being able to feel loving toward them even as I hate their political conversation and mean spirited jokes, because I approached it from a sense of security in myself. And, having got past the spewing we even actually were able to have one of the fulfilling spiritual conversations we so treasure.




















It was lovely at the ranch, the grasses all growing and ripening. There were swallows nesting under the eves of the buildings and they were enchanting to watch.

I'm in love with buds

I'm in love with buds this spring, here is a shot of some beautiful red tinged lily buds in front of the red leaves of a plum tree. wonderfully, these buds will turn into white Turk's Cap Lillies.

By the way can anyone tell me how to remove a photo once I've accidentally downloaded the wrong one?

Red Japanese Maple leaves above a chartreuse creeping jenny. These japanese maples die back during a hard winter and so have never got above bush height. It's kind of cool though, they have a kind of intimacy that trees might not have. On the other hand, small trees this beautiful would create quite a nice atmosphere in that part of the garden.

Here is a shot of coral Bell blossoms floating in among some stripey red and white miniature roses. I like the airy look of this combo.

the greenhouse garden

Here's an in-season shot of the little garden in front of the greenhouse. I gave ita facelift earllier this season. The edging plants are lettuces, spinach and other greens. They are so pretty. In the middle are tomato plants, swiss chard bright lights, and beets. Up against the greenhouse are a few edible pod pea plants. I have already harvested chinese broccoli out of this garden. It was bitter and strong tasting. I won't have to grow that again. I am undecided whether to plant between the peas with morning glories or beans. Maybe I'll do both, although morning glory seeds are poisonous and it's probably not good to grow them in a food garden. I probably won't plant them then.

a crash

I've been waiting for the return of nice weather with so much anticipation. There's so much to do and the things I've done up until now have been so satisfying. In addition to rebuilding that one little bed in front of the greenhouse I've moved some plants, improved the edge of the patio under the crab apple tree and replaced some of the stones I pulled out of the edge of the patio to plant the dwarf elberta spruces. I didn't like the spruces there and so have returned them to pots, their effect in pots is so good. Now I want to rebuild the top third of the dry stream, finish finessing the patio stones, redo the area behind the big gate so that I can store tools and the composter, and a dozen other things I think I need to do.

But today was a really brilliant day and all I could do was sleep. I was so fatigued and in so much pain that even wandering around trying to decide what to do was too much. Maybe tomorrow I can do something. To help me be at peace with this need for rest I made myself go and look at old pics of previous seasons. This is an example of how good the gardens can be. I really love it here.

Significant of the flaw in my thinking about the garden is the fact that I have rarely let anything grow anywhere for more than two years before I decide it needs changed. I need to appreciate how wonderful it is as is. Here again, I'm struggling, and the thing I am struggling with is of my own creation, another thing which is really nothing.

Apricots in Bloom

It is a little early, five weeks before last frost, but who can blame them? I'm blooming too. The weather continues to be spectacular. Now it's a race to get everything transplanted before it gets too hot. I am so much happier when I can be out in the sunshine and messing with the soil. The gloom of winter is not just a weather condition.

Today I was able to help a good friend with sinus problems by giving her a Jin Shin Do treatment. J has sinus problems associated with burn season for the local farmers. She began to get relief while I was doing the basic neck release, even before I began on the Sinus release pattern. I am so grateful for Ioana Marsaa Teeguarden's books http://www.jinshindo.org/products.htm on the subject. One day maybe I'll get to go study and become accredited, but until then it is incredibly wonderful to be able to do a few small things for my friends and family's comfort.