My dad and my gardens

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my dad and my gardens.

If he had lived, Dad would be celebrating his 86th birthday today. Instead, over year after his death, I am honoring him in my own, very private way, in my garden.

I spent the weekend tidying my backyard garden - just in case Dad was curious and checked in to see what's blooming. Despite the 90 degree-plus temperatures, I spent several hours weeding, pruning, thinning, deadheading, mulching and watering.

Just in case, of course.

I hope Dad was happy that at least one of his five daughters (me) inherited his gardening genes and became a rather accomplished gardener. He never said a thing to me about my endeavors. Still, I'm sure he was proud of me, especially since I garden in a very challenging environment - the arid, high plains of the Colorado Front Range.

So, in celebration of Dad's 86th birthday, I'm inviting you to take a short walk in my gardens. Warning: the plants are not as green and lush as the ones he grew in Southern California.

Most of mine are xeric: drought-resistant or drought-tolerant. Many are Colorado natives. Lots are deer- and rabbit-resistant. Some are edible. All are lovely.

Backyard garden - looking west

Backyard garden - along the north fence

Backyard garden - another view looking west

Backyard garden - looking towards the northeast corner

Backyard garden - another view looking towards the northeast corner

   

Backyard garden - north fence

Backyard garden - north fence, close-in view

Backyard garden - shadier section along the house

 

Front Yard

 

A daisy for your thoughts, Dad ... Happy Birthday ... we miss you.

 
For these blessings, I am very grateful.

Amen.

A sleeping dog

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a sleeping dog.

T's recovery from surgery has been an ordeal for all of us. S and I, however, can rationalize the experience and manage our emotions, reactions and responsibilities.

Not so for T. He just doesn't understand. The worst part is the every-two-day visit to the "veg" for the bandage change. T's worst nightmare = any visit to the veg.

When T returns home, he is quite agitated and won't lie down to rest. Naturally, his behavior makes S and I nervous, testing the limits of our patience. Fortunately, the incision is healing and T has full use of the foreleg.

After this morning's visit to the veg, T finally settles down.

A sleeping dog = a few hours of peace and quiet for his human parents.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Le Tour de France

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for Le Tour de France.

While not as imposing as a glorious field of French sunflowers, this single first-of-the-summer Gaillardia (blanket flower) shows off its favorite Tour colors. It bloomed this morning, just in time for the Tour's opening stage. Its bright yellow petals honor the coveted yellow jersey.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

A touch of orange

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a touch of orange.

Orange is one color I do not wear - the warm, sun-kissed citrus hue just doesn't flatter my classic winter coloring (or rather, I do not do justice to orange). Occasionally, I'll wear a top with deep coral or peach, but never, ever pure orange.

My garden, however, doesn't care about my preferences. It can wear any color regardless of the season. So this morning, orange it is.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

A "from the top" perspective

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a "from the top" perspective.

A "from the top" view helps me capture unusual images of my garden.

I'm looking straight down on these perennials and love what I see.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

Single blooms

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for single blooms.

Large floral bouquets usually catch my eye when I survey my garden. This afternoon, however, single blooms are the celebrities du jour.

Here are portraits of some of the loveliest "stars."

For these blessings, I am grateful.

Amen.

Garden visitors

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for garden visitors.

A pair of tiny, yellow-chested birds (finches?) frolics in one of many cat mint bushes. I think this is a couple - the more intensely colored male is at the top.

Birds, bees, butterflies. Daily, my summer gardens welcome them all.

(Note: To date, no visiting bee has stung me. I think bees know better than to annoy the gardener.)

For these blessings, I am thankful.

Amen.

A small but perfect harvest

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a small but perfect summer harvest.

To my delight, the Swiss Chard plants in my edible garden are growing quickly. Each evening, I pick a large handful of leaves for my dinner salad or stir fry.

The rhubarb looks ready to harvest - will have just enough for a pie, a crumble or jam.

Finally, we're ready for homemade Mojitos thanks to a bounty of sweet mint and endless batches of my special fresh herb-rich marinara sauce thanks to the thriving rosemary, oregano, sage, tarragon, thyme and lovage.

Top to bottom: mint, rosemary, lovage, sage

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

T's Recovery

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for T's recovery.

He made it through Wednesday's surgery and two annoyingly restless nights (well, annoying to me).

T post-surgery - finally falls asleep after the ordeal

This morning, the veg examined the wound and changed the dressing. So far, so good.

The best news for T, our furniture and us: As long as he leaves his bandaged leg alone, T does not have to wear the dreaded Elizabethan collar.

T sleeps with new bandage, sans Elizabethan collar

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

My favorite gardening companion

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my favorite gardening companion.

T at 14.5 years

On his best days, T hobbles around the backyard, favoring his right hind leg. His arthritic hips hinder his mobility. He no longer races along the fence line or fetches a favorite toy or reacts to a teasing squirrel. Not that he doesn't want to. He just can't, and he knows it.

While I tend my gardens, he no longer follows me around the yard. Instead, he stands on the patio and watches from afar. More like the lord of the manor than my supervisor.

T turned 14.5 years old on Saturday. Elderly by Labrador Retriever and human standards. he still walks with S twice a day - usually two very slow laps around the park with an occasional journey along the trail, alley or main road. T has walked around that darn park tens of thousands of times.

The owner of the pet food store always reminds me that T's longevity is a testament to our love for him. Only the best for T, I always say. The best food, the purest water, the finest treats, the softest blankets, the most hugs.

T's longevity also means that he is susceptible to old age infirmities. Last week, at his annual exam, we learned that the "cyst" on his foreleg is a sarcoma. The "veg" (our term for veterinarian) assured us that T is strong enough for surgery, so we scheduled the procedure for this Wednesday, June 22. If you like or even love T, please pray for him, the surgical team and us.

For this very special blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

My dad

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for my dad.

To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
~Thomas Cambell, Hallowed Ground


My second Father's Day without Dad. Last year's remembrance was especially difficult - he died on May 15 so my grief was fresh and familiar.

This year, I'm doing better. I think about him daily - good thoughts - especially while I'm tending my gardens. The special place in my heart reserved just for Dad-things, however, is still quiet and sad, awaiting just one more happy memory.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Liatris in full bloom

For this blessing, I am thankful.

Amen.

A blooming garden

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a blooming garden.

Surprise!

My gardens are abloom. Nearly all the perennials survived our cold, very arid winter.

I'm not sure my dad would have enjoyed my eclectic, drought tolerant garden.

My friend, Elsie, however, would have been delighted.

Edible & Perennial Garden

North Garden

 

North Garden - shady section near house

North Garden - fence corner

Blue Flax

Saponaria

Comfrey

Columbine - white

Verbena

Snow in Summer

Lilac

Mat Daisies (closed buds)

Liatris

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.

A really good sale

Dear God:

Today, I am thankful for a really good sale.

As you may know, I am trying to "fast" clothes buying this year. So far, in 2011, I have spent less than $25 on clothes (an all-time low for me).

Today, however, I stopped by one of my favorite thrift/consignment stores where the selection in small and extra-small sizes is usually quite good. I ended up buying a few things at bargain prices:

• 1 Banana Republic long sleeve cotton blouse $.75
• 1 pair of new Worthington grey trousers for work $2.00
• 1 pair of new Fabrizio Gianni black stretch capris $1.37
• 1 Sara Arizona black rayon cardigan $2.00
• 1 black camisole - $.75

Now I have to get rid of 5 items from my closet. You know the rule: buy one item, give one away.

For this blessing, I am grateful.

Amen.