Nature Resurrecting

Something wonderful is afoot this year.

I am seeing a Resurrection Garden.

Bitten and left for dead by a late freeze,

Nature again proves it's resilience.

This wisteria~~top decimated from cold~~

Bravely pops out leaves and a fragrant flower bunch

low on the vine as the top

begins it's transformation as well.

Blackberry blossoms and bees.

Bees which had swarmed my Weeping Cherry,

only to vanish in the cold.

They have returned in abundance and

dance merrily on the warm breezes.

Fragile creatures as they are,

May Apples lean toward the sun

in the cool and lush shadows

of small wooded areas.

Air redolent with the rich smell

of earth and wood humus.

No perfume can match.

Multiflora rose hedge, considered by many

noxious, a haven for birds,

scents the air with it's plethora of blossoms.

Like being wrapped in a

massive corsage.

Goats beard (another so-called weed)

has braved the cold and offered up

a globe of seeds.

Gaze and see the future...finer than

crystal.

My *railroad rose*~~named for where I dug it~~

which has not bloomed for years.

A blossom of perfection, 

a petticoat of buds.

Amazing.

And my peach/pink iris.

Long gone from the flowerbed.

Happily nodding to me,

urging me out with camera,

smiling as I focus.

I think God's Garden is one of many Miracles.

He knows no weeds or preferential

plants....

just the beauty that sustains.

Returning, from the harshest conditions.

Bringing 

Faith, 

Hope,

unconditional Joy.

Savoring each moment.

Reminding myself of the blessing 

of

EVERY DAY.

Pax....  

Floral Wanderings

What bouquet is lovelier than thee?

You grow amongst each other,

a compliment of colors,

a fragrance of the heavens.

Bright and sturdy,

standing after storm

of rain and wind.

Still, you catch my eye;

your color that of ruby lips

Caught between

kiss and sigh.

And tall above the rest,

the sentinels.

Tigers, tho nary a stripe

to find,

but spots instead.

A den of orange

run wild.

Brazen, brash, and full of mirth.

And sweet, the simple phlox;

no bashful color here.

You call to me

on humid air.

Your perfume wafts

across the evening

breezes....ah!

Lush and so familiar.

Shyly in the depth of green,

a soft and gentle blossom grows.

Does not compete, this lovely stem;

it's elegance and eloquence

is quiet.

And you! Unbashful relative!

A can-can swirl of ruddied warmth!

No sun too bright for you;

no passive glance my friend.

You are the diva.

Yes, we know!

And thus my walk complete,

I hold within my heart

each petal.

The magic of the Greater Gardener;

the beauty of His generosity.

I have not made this plot.

I hold no claim to plant nor soil.

This joy, this abundance,

this overflowing ground

indeed,

is His.

I am the servant and

the steward.

Pax.....

My Elusive Hummingbird Moth

Sometimes patience pays off. I have been trying for days to get photos of this hummingbird moth that come each evening to the phlox.
Generally the routine is as follows: I see the moth, take off to grab camera, come back and it's gone. It must have been having a bit of pity on me, because as I took these shots (among many others out of focus) it lingered quite a while. I cannot believe I was able---quite by accident---to get a shot with the proboscis curled and ready to go back in the mouth!
Enjoy these.....they are just a delight for me to share!

As a final word, I had a female hummingbird come between me and the moth, running it off once and giving me the evil eye---just hovering directly in front of me! Their behaviour is so funny, and very expressive about their displeasure!

Pax.

Surviving the drought.....

Eventhough we desperately need rain, I took a stroll around the yard while DH had pity on me and watered the small trees we planted back when the soil was soft. (seems like years.......)
I found some hardy survivors, happily showing off their colors and selves!

This salmon daylily is a favorite, given to me by one of my friends. The clump needs digging but my leg says no way--not this year!

My surprise sunflower, surprising me again with a multitude of smaller blossoms coming out at the points where the leaves meet the stalk. The close up on this one is fantastic! How incredible this simple plant is!

And this busy bee doesn't seem to mind the dryness; nor does the decorative thyme it is searching for pollen. I was treated to several shots---the bee must be like me and enjoy the click of the camera!

A pink phlox, slowly opening and still bright with color. These must be the first buds open; they tend to fade as they are exposed to the sun.

And yes, my favorite, an old fashioned double orange daylily. I have dragged starts of these from all over creation. I am pretty sure the first came from Grandmother's or Great-grandmother's. When I move, everything goes!!! There is history and family and friendships in these flowerbeds and it makes the blossoms even sweeter. I walk and see people long gone, people who still actively garden, folks who have had to give it up and in the process shared their precious plants to keep the genus going.

In passing the roots along, they pass love and happiness and joy.

May your garden be full........always.

Pax.

The Yellows and Reds of Summer

It has always seemed to me that summer flowers go by colors. There are swathes of one color, or color family all at once. I seem to be graced with the yellow to red family right now.

Turkscaps tall against a sky that threatens rain but does not deliver. It is quite dry and the flowers are taking the brunt of it, lasting only a short time. Normally these stems would last five days; now if I get two per flower I am lucky.

The firey red of monarda sent to me by my friend Jan is the perfect offset for this soft ivory yellow daylily. They have a vague scent, not much. The monarda, on the other hand, is pungent and delightful!

A surprise sunflower, no doubt planted by that scoundrel chipmunk that has ravaged my flowbeds. This is the only good thing the little varmint has done........ ;-)

A form of loose strife, which--as all varieties do--has taken over a whole side of the yard. It has managed to strangle the low growing evergreens I planted to try and stop erosion. I think the loose strife is more effective, as long as it doesn't take over the house next!

And a cooling combination of a plume poppy and lemon lily, the fragrant variety of daylily. They seem so appropriate together, both sturdy but delicate.

Hope you've enjoyed a bit of the beauty of summer, without heat, bugs or storms! Or weeds to pull (I cropped them out!).

Have a glorious day and enjoy the colors around you!

Pax.

Respite From The World

Sometimes on days when I cannot get my mind in order for art, or am processing other things going on around me that require much thought and consideration (and not a temper tantrum) I will walk around the yard and either enjoy the gardens or shoot pictures.

One of my favorite roses; I thought I lost it last year but it came back from the root stock. An old fashioned variety, so it is still true to form and color.

A line of poppies, all neat and in a row, caught in a moment when the breeze was not swaying them back and forth........

A Turkscap Lily opening. These used to be found in the ditches of this state before the ridiculous *need* to mow along the roads. I remember digging my first up as the mowing crew waited, patiently or otherwise--I was getting the lily doomed for the mower blades. They said nothing; just watched. I wonder if any of them understood? This particular specimen is taller than I am, or right at around 5' 10".

A luscious hybrid iris that passes too quickly, with petals delicate as silk satin and an aroma tart, sweet and distinct. One heavy rain and they literally melt.

And again, my favorites, the poppies dancing in the wind. Grabbing a quick shot, holding your breath that the camera was fast enough to freeze their motion. What a slender stem for such a huge flower head! A bit of back lighting showing the fine, fragile hair on each stem......

The brain calms, the senses return to normal, ideas begin to perk and life is again on the right path.

So here is a small virtual garden for you to walk, and may it calm you and bring you visual delight and inspiration!

Pax.

A Walk Around The Garden

(Photos copyright Anne M. Huskey-Lockard, 2009, all rights reserved)

Some lovely old fashioned iris; they have proliferated---I have too many but love them so........

St. Francis amidst the violet leaves, day lilies and another old fashioned iris that was frequently found in cemeteries and roadside ditches.

The Sunshine Locust, with brilliant lighting.......

Dames Rocket and the Oriental Poppies beginning to unfurl their papery red skirts, all aglow with sunlight.......

Another older iris, with most peculiar coloring; a bit purple, a bit beige, and in the right light, an iridescent sheen. It almost looks frosted.

How can the day be bad when all this beauty surrounds me?

May your day be as tranquil and lovely and may you be inspired to put some beauty back into the world!