“What Gorgeous Thing” ~ Mary Oliver
“I do not know what gorgeous thing
the bluebird keeps saying,
his voice easing out of his throat,
beak, body into the pink air
of the early morning. I like it
whatever it is. Sometimes
it seems the only thing in the world
that is without dark thoughts.
Sometimes it seems the only thing
in the world that is without
questions that can’t and probably
never will be answered, the
only thing that is entirely content
with the pink, then clear white
morning and, gratefully, says so.”
Good morning, dear friends. I do hope this finds all of you well and enjoying your favorite summertime activities. To me, summer seems to arrive and then in a blink, it is gone. There is the garden and her variety of weeds. To bad the State Fair does not have a classification to enter ones collection. Mine would be a blue ribbon winner for certain. However, I will share the pretty blooms ~ not the weeds.
Annabelle Hydrangeas, planted around 2007.
One of my favorite plants, Oak and leather Leaf Hydrangea. She is just beginning her change in color of the bloom. She will turn a deep pink and by fall her leaves will be a dark burgandy. Beautiful in a floral arrangement.
“When weeds go to heaven, I suppose they will be flowers.” ~
Speaking of weeds and the State Fair. Does anyone see this lovely tree growing and thriving? I know Mike didn’t when he took the photo. Now, if I was quite careful to dig with caution. I could pot this beauty and in a very few years, someone who had the room would have a nice shade tree. Tulip poplars grow rapidly, have big leaves, and make a wonderful shade tree. However, they do not like storms and will fall quickly.
Hydrangea, Bue Danube. She is in an urn and has thrived for several years. Mike moves her to the garage in the winter.
The daylilies have just begun their show. This one is Purple Badger. I did not care for the name of such a lovely plant. Therefore, her new name is Purple Passion. She is like a lady in a pretty purple rufflled dress.
“Not all love stories start with Roses. Some starts with petunias too.” ~ Satabdi Panda
Be sure to look closely at these petunias. I love them so much I order them every year so as not to take the chance of not finding them at a garden center. Their name is Almost Picasso. They have a chartreuse green edge.
“Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” ~ Malorie Blackman
I’ve been doing a little reading on the days it has been ninety-plus degrees. Reading is a pure joy to me and the book above was wonderful. All I will tell you, “it is based on a true story and the young woman in the story becomes friends with Eleanor Roosevelt.”
“I will look for evidence of what I do still, deep down, believe nature is singing a song, the trees are clapping their hands, and we are called to join them. With God’s help, we can pick up the pieces of an old and dying world, and we can make them new. We can make a place where beauty and peace can take root, flourish, and grow.” ~ Christie Purifoy
This was my introduction to the writing of Christie Purifoy. Brenda Leyland who writes the beautiful blog, “It’s a Beautiful Life” is the sweet soul who introduced us. https://beautiful.wordfromhome.com/ Purifoy is a lovely writer. I found myself saying, “Yes” over and over. And I thought surely this woman knows me. If you love beauty and have visions of such in a different world. This book is for you.
Good News ~ my copy of “My French Country Home Magazine” arrived today. If you are a bit of a Francophile this magazine is for you. It is a little pricey. However, each and every issue is a treasure to behold. It can be ordered online or purchased in the US at Barnes and Noble.
“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” ~ Helen Keller
Dear friends, In closing, I will leave with you a photo of a most special day, July 1, 1972. On that day, Mike and I said “I do.” Yesterday we celebrated 50 years. Hard to believe how quickly time has passed. Truly, we have been blessed.
Know, I wish you and yours a beautiful day and a Happy Fourth of July. Love each other, stay safe and be well!
Amour,
Sandra
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” ~
Images: M. S. Lambiotte, Christie Purifoy ~ A spacious place., Facebook, Tumblr
Your hydrangeas are so pretty as are your other flowers. Congrats on your mile stone anniversary!
Thank you, Penny. If I had it to do all over again. I would plant the Annabelle’s where I planted the Nikko Blue’s, I have to fuss over them in the winter and after the past couple of winters, I have 2 that don’t look so soo great. But that is the garden. It is hard to believe we have had 50 years together. The years have flown by.
Happy , happy anniversary, Sandra and Mike! I love this photo of the two of you. Your garden is beautiful. And even my small landscape garden has an unlimited supply.of weeds for the daily picking. Sometimes I like the mindless task, but it’s a love/hate situation.
Charleston revived the Sternwheel Regatta this year after a 12 yr hiatus, and by all accounts, it appears 3 of the 4 days/nights of celebration have had a positive impact, which is a much needed boost for our capital city.
Have a wonderful week.
Rita, I saw a sign that said, “Weeds, free for the picking.” I should have purchased it. I wonder how many takers I would have gotten. Things such as your Sternwheel do add quite a bit to a community. It does look like fun. Enjoy these summer days.
Sandra, I’m so happy for you to reach 50 years with your Mike. My Mike and I made it last August and I know how you are feeling. Yes, it is hard to believe how quickly time has passed.
Your garden is beautiful and I love seeing your photos.
I will check out, the It’s a Beautiful Life blog.
The first picture of the baby bluebirds is amazing. I’ve had several families of bluebirds in my house but they are so private and you never see them leave the nest.
I’ve been tempted to order My French Country Home Magazine but you are right about it being pricey.
Have a great 4th tomorrow and a good week.
Dear Bonnie: We had bluebirds when we lived in VA. They are in our mountains but not here in town and I do miss them. Although, we have Cardinals who are quite social. They are especially fond of Mike. Probably because he feeds them. Last evening, he sat for the longest time on the patio and one kept him company all evening. They are such a vibrant red, I do love them. Hope your fourth was great and that your week will be the same.
Sandra, Happy 50th Anniversary to you and Mike ♥️♥️ We will celebrate our golden in February! What a beautiful example of love! Your garden is magnificent with all of the gorgeous hydrangeas (one of my favorite flowers) daylilies, and the lovely petunias. I am so glad you shared your garden with us. I have thought about ordering My French Country Home, I receive her weekly email. I read Quinn’s “Rose Code”, I will check out “The Diamond Eye”. Wishing you a wonderful Independence Day!
Hello, dear Pam. I hope you and your family had a lovely Fourth. I can just imagine those little ones all done out in Red, White, and Blue and something pretty on your table. I am enjoying the daylilies as they have just begun to open. I thought of you as I planted lots of zinnias. The goldfinches adore them and I love them so I try and plant something they enjoy. They probably won’t be in bloom until mid-September, because I planted them late. Have a great week Pam!
So many beautiful things in this post, Sandra. I love your hydrangeas, and surely, I could compete with you for a weed collection! I loved The Diamond Eye – what an amazing story that is. I hope to pick up the latest issue of My French Country Home magazine at the bookstore this week. I love it! Sharon does such a great job with it.
Once again, Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many more years with your beloved.
Dear Lorrie, from what I have seen of your lovely garden, I do believe I will be the weed winner. The rascals grow during the night, just to greet me in the morning. Yes, I do agree the Diamond Eye was an amazing book. Sharon does do a marvelous job with the magazine. The poppies that I received from her have been in full bloom, although the rain has beaten them up a bit – I treasure them. They will always be special to me. Thank you, Lorrie, for your Anniversary wishes. I am so grateful for our years together. So many couples due to sickness don’t make it for so long.
Wishing you a great week.
First of all, happy anniversary! I hope you had a beautiful celebration and I know you did! Love the photo. Your garden is a stunner. There’s a lot of work here and boy, does it show! You could hold tours! Thanks for the book recommendatons. I like Kate Quinn, though I haven’t read her in a long time and the Purifoy looks like my cuppa! Happy week.
Jeanie, thank you so much for our anniversary wishes. It is amazing how quickly 50 years has passed. Purifoy is an enchanting writer, you feel as though she is speaking directly to you. The garden is a lot of work and I shake my head when I think I used to be the sole caretaker. When Mike offered to help I did not turn him down.
I think you will enjoy “The Diamond Eye” ~ it is an amazing story.
Enjoy your lake days and painting.
What a beautiful photo of your wedding, it really tugged at my heart! A happy 50th anniversary to both of you! I love the oakleaf hydrangea too. Our one and the two white hydrangeas are only 4 years old and in too much shade but they make me so happy. That petunia is gorgeous!