This afternoon, we went to a friend's holiday open house, and I found myself at his garden looking at what I also see in my garden, clumps of lavendar and lambs ear that continue to show some form of life, of hanging in.
For the most part, our recent temps have been mild and wet, much warmer than our averages for this time of year. So the ground is still soft to walk upon, and not all the plant life in the garden has calcified into the dead dry stuff of deep winter.
At least till now.
The day has been heavy in clouds, giving us a constant wash of gray hues. Interestingly, today is the day in the Advent season when rose color is used in the candle in the wreath, as well as for the priest's vestments.
Arise, shine, for your light has come...Isaiah's words that we sang today from Handel's Messiah at church.
But even that bit of festivity could not totally resist the overwhelming gray of the sky.
And the wind started, howling down through the trees and between houses. Cold, bitter wind. As loud as an ocean wave, at times. Soon, all life in the garden will disolve along its surfaces, and the ground, soft and easy, will freeze hard into a metallic bond. Deep, underneath, one could find secrets and surprises for next spring, but we do not see that.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
what's left
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4 comments:
I've had several dreadful (dread rather than violence) nightmares about lambs' ear - no idea why...
Bless your heart. Lamb's ear is one of the more benign of plants. I like to feel it when I am out gardening, and I certainly like the gray green silver coloring.
Hi Don!
It's me, Lyn (Bubberette). I love your descriptions of your garden.
I moved in March to a house of my own, and I have gardens again -- a big veggie garden, flower beds all the way around my house, rose bed in a nice well-drained sunny spot in the back, and hundreds of bulbs recently planted. I was fortunate to land next door to a gardener who's lived in my working-class neighborhood for more than 45 years, and who has helped fill my beds with yellow, white and purple irises. Mike let me dig up my perennials at his house, so I am pleased not to have abandoned them.
My back yard ends in a ravine -- what had been the trolly line from Richmond to Ashland and is now a powerline right-of-way. So if I ever run out of room, I can start terracing. Right now, though, it's overrun with honeysuckle and blackberry vines and teeming with birds and small animals and I like it that way.
My veggie patch was astounding for a first year garden -- bushels of tomatos and cukes, watermelon and cantelope for the whole neighborhood, and assorted other veggies. Now it's planted in mustard, kale, spinach, garlic, and two rows of english peas I planted too late but are still clinging to life despite several hard frosts.
I hope that you and your sweetie pie have a wonderful Christmas, a warm cozy new year, and a glorious spring.
Lyn
La bubbaette -- Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to chat about your new garden. I've missed reading and talking with you. I'll drop an email off. You know, you really should have your own garden blog.
I can help you make one.
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