The First Day Of Summer

Asparagus fern is the first over the side of the window box. Nothing exciting with the box. The other window box is doing well with ivy geranium, zonal geraniums, dwarf arborvite, algerian ivy, and sweet potato vine. I will show pictures on another day. It's pretty from the street but difficult to photograph.

The sweet potato vine is acting nice so far and hasn't started to take over the planter.

The red color is even brighter in person.

Lambs ear still in bloom.

And to think I didn't like the grass. It actually is pretty to me and so I won't pull it up. It is in an odd spot. I should of payed more attention to the label to see how tall it would grow. I thought it would stay small like it was in the spring. I don't think I will move it.

The day Lillie's are really pretty this year. The increase in size each year.

This is the first day I realized that the dragon wing begonia seedling survived. I had 2 in this planter and thought they had died. It's not giving up. Makes me change my mind and try again with them in the fall. They require more time to get to a good size than the time for starting listed on the pack of seeds.

No sign of downy mildew yet.

Lets see how the canna do. 

Insects seemed to love the new planting of canna. Some type of infection is also on the peony leaf seedling.

Three canna planted. I have more in the yard to be planted.

There were many bees on the plants as I cleaned up the flower bed. They completely ignored me. He is loving the salvia. A fungus is on the lambs ear. I picked off some leaves but not all.

I planted this last fall. The other perennials I planted last fall didn't make it. I planted another one in the back this spring. It doesn't look promising.

Balloon flower. It's really tall this year.

Echinacea. What's the matter with it?

Don't want to see the violas and pansies go but it's time.

I'll take better pictures of the sidewalk planters on another day. My excuse was the sun.

Variegated canna, lirope, impatiens, and coleus. It's amazing what color does. After planting the impatiens a cardinal immediately landed in the planter.

Time to Start Pansies?

No gardening done in the past 2 weeks. I feel like I'm having a bad dream and no one has woke me up. School will soon be out for the summer and I'm glad because I don't feel that I've had time to mourn the loss of my mother. It's hot in Philly around 95 today with public schools closing early due to the heat. Most public school buildings do not have central air and when the heat index gets high schools normally close. In this type of weather I don't usually garden but I am looking forward to cooler temperatures this weekend and some rain. There has been a lot of rain lately but you can't tell when you look at the ground and plants. I am the type of gardener who like plants that can survive without being watered, only existing on rain water. I have many that are drought tolerant. Sometime I feel sorry and do water the plants in container because they cannot draw from moisture that may be in the ground.

I would like to start some pansies. If I do, they will be started in my basement. I need to look at how I can hang a shop light over the table. Why do I keep trying with only one lone seedling this past winter? Practice may make perfect. How many tries will it take? Try and try again. I need to get a thermometer to take the temperature in the basement. It feels much cooler to me and just maybe they will do well down there. I need to order seeds. The most reasonable priced ones I looked at on line were from Swallowtail. Twenty-five seeds were I think about $2.49 per pack. They had the best variety. Burpee seeds were the highest and many were already sold out and there was a small selection.

Tomato plants in the yard are large. There are blooms but I'm still waiting for the first tomato. They may be the only veggie in the yard that does something this summer. The others and some herbs were not planted and I don't know if I will plant them. Pansies in the sidewalk planter need to be pulled. I think I will put some impatiens, canna, and coleus that have been waiting to be planted in their place. Maybe this weekend? I hope your gardens are flourishing and bountiful this season.

In the Twinkling of an Eye

It's amazing how your life can change in a moment. I went into the yard today to cover the patio furniture. It wasn't used on Memorial Day as planned due to my mother's passing. I looked at all the plants still waiting to be planted including veggies. I left them for my mother and sister to plant. There is a lot to be done in the yard. The foliage from the spring bulbs need to be cut off since it has turned yellow and empty spaces need to be filled in with annuals. Maybe by fall I'll have a plan for the shaded area of the yard, who knows? The weather is beautiful today in the 80's with low humidity. Thunderstorms are expected tonight into the morning hours.

Grief is a humbling experience. It seemed like I lost all energy when I went into the yard. I felt physically weak. I guess my mind thought of the last time mom sat in my yard with  the family. She would come over early and cook the meats on the grill while I finished with cold salads and foods in the kitchen. I will miss her more than words can express. There hasn't been a moment that I have not thought of her since her death. Family members who have lost their mothers told me that although it gets better I will always think of her and the pain may never go away. That's how I feel. 

I have already it seems had a "life review" in my mind of how holidays or family events will be without her. Not healthy but true. I was bone and blood of her flesh. I grew inside and came from her. Yesterday I went to her house. I am deeply distressed that my mother is not there! I can't believe it. Had she been sick for some period of time I think I would of had time to prepare but this way is awful. 

I read some information on sites yesterday regarding grief. I also did some study on what the Bible says about what happens after the body dies. I realized I knew less than I thought. For Christians there are 2 views. One is that we sleep until Christ comes and then the dead in Christ are resurrected. I thought, what about the scripture that states, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord? I found finally peace in the words of Jesus on the cross when he spoke to the thief who was crucified next to him. He told him, "today you will be with me in paradise". No sleeping but at death that he would be with Christ. I take comfort in this scripture that my mother is alive, living, and with God and one day I will meet her again. It's the only thing that has given me some peace thus far. At least something made me smile in the yard. I think I have a few blueberries.

Blueberries I think.

The yard is more shaded this year than usual. A lot of the branches hanging over my yard need to be cut. This will be done before summer is over.

The span of the fern is huge. It has new fronds. It's taken over the planter. I planted an elephant ear but it hasn't done anything yet. I hope I didn't waste money again.

The Swiss chard is pretty.

There are 2 types of tomatoes, cherry and a yellow fruit one.

Veggies not planted yet include broccoli, and peppers. Chives and sage also have to be planted. I planted 6 cucumbers. Three are left but don't look promising.

Canna

Some insect is eating well again this year.

Didn't realize until I saw this picture that the lambs ears have bloomed.

The foliage from tulips is yellow and ready to trim. Maybe another day. Not in the mood today to do anything other than take these pictures. I went out to put out the trash and it was such a sunny pretty morning that I went back in for the camera.

The grass is not what I thought it would be. It has blooms that look like wheat.

Lets see if the pansies make it through June?

I didn't buy white poppies. I guess the order got mixed up.

Sedum in bloom. I don't like it when it gets like this because once the blooms fade it appears messy and the old blooms cannot be shaken off.

Day Lilly

Coreopsis

Salvia

Coral bell in bloom. The blooms are not as pretty as last year.

Balloon Flower

Coneflower. It looks like it's getting powdery mildew already.

Until We Meet Again

Yesterday was my mother's Homegoing Service. I am still in disbelief. Nothing had changed at moms. She went about her daily life as usual and was anticipating returning to Georgia this summer. I spoke to her on Saturday night and earlier in the week we talked for over an hour on the phone. On Sunday my brother called me in distress and stated that she was gone. We spoke on the phone almost daily and I visited sometimes after work or on weekends when we went shopping. On the day she passed she was preparing to bake a pound cake to bring to my house for Memorial Day. She had prepared her Sunday dinner on the stove. In recent years I have thought about what I would do if my mother was not here, but never thought that the day was sooner than I knew. 

It's only been a few days since she left but I find myself thinking, let me call mom and ask her, but I remember I can't ask mom or hear her voice for the rest of the days of my life. I'm glad I watched her cook and asked many questions, but I still have questions. My mother was my biggest supporter. She often worried about me telling me to take care of my self, get some rest, and don't try to do so much. When she shopped and thought of items she felt I would wanted she bought them. 

When the weather was bad due to snow or rain storms she always called me to tell me to drive safely and leave early to give myself extra time. Many times I called her from work to let her know I arrived safely. She called me back after work to make sure I arrived home safely. If it snowed, she wanted me to take my time shoveling. I will miss her at family nights where we have a card game, eat, laugh, and enjoy family time. Every flower show except one, I have attended with my mother. Next year will be different.

I will remember her stories of family. My mother was born and raised in Georgia. I realize as I write this that I don't know if she was born in the house I am familiar or in an earlier home before my grandparents bought the home where we later spent time. I will have to ask my uncle. She was the second oldest children of six. She attended school in Georgia and around 17 came to Philly during the summer to visit her oldest sister Ollie Mae who had migrated here. She never returned to Georgia to live but enrolled in high school here. She later married my father and were blessed with myself, my sister, and brother.

I remember so many stories my mother told. After my grandfather came out of the military he did clerical/accounting work. As a result of a disagreement with another employee he was told that the Klu Klux Klan would be at his home that night. My mother told me that grandad came home and told my grandmother that when night came everyone had to get up under the bed and turn off all the lights. Unknown to him at the time, his employer interceded for him and no one came to the house.  I hope this does not offend anyone, but it's my history and this was a reality in the South when my mother was growing up.

I remember when I was a child visiting my grandmother with mom, my aunt and uncle worked on the farm. My mother also did when she still lived at home. The man who owned the farm would come early in the morning with a pick up truck to get them. They picked cotton, peanuts, and tobacco. What ever was in season. The town she lived in is small with a traditional small town main street. There was one movie theater. Of course the court house, and stores such as Belks, Harvey's, and Piggly Wiggly. My mother and siblings often talked about how the theater was segregated and blacks had to sit up stairs, and whites down stairs. There were also different water fountains. 

I have so many memories and I will cherish them. It's just too soon. I know I will see her again when my time comes. My mom fought a good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith.

Our Mother 
© Kathy J Parenteau 

Once upon a time an angel held our hand; 
She wiped away our tears and helped us understand. 
Our time on earth is brief, there's lessons to be learned, 
Each precious day God gives us another page is turned. 

Every chapter full of memories, times of joy and tears, 
Triumphs and defeats, through every passing year. 
She loved us unconditionally, always by our side, 
When no one else would listen, in her we could confide. 

With gentle words of wisdom she led us on our way, 
Down the paths of righteousness if ever we did stray. 
She saw the light in everyone and gave with no regrets, 
Always from her heart let's not forget. 

Angels come in many forms, for us it is our mother, 
With love we cannot say in words there'll never be another. 
Every day we turn the page in our heart will ever remain, 
Everything she taught us as we stroll down memory lane. 

Thank you God for giving us the most priceless of all treasures, 
Help my Lord to keep alive her memory here forever. 
We pray that we can someday be everything she hoped we would, 
That's she smiling down from heaven knowing she did good. 

As we gather here today there's no ending to her story, 
Another chapter has begun full of grace and glory. 
God's called her to his heavenly home, part of his great plan, 
Although it may be hard, we all must understand. 

Faith is what is hoped for, things we cannot see, 
Heaven is promised to all of us if only we believe. 

Remembering My Mother

Last August I wrote about my mom in, Georgia on My Mind. Never could I imagine that 2014 would be the year that my mother would leave me to be with the Lord. My mother was like no other mother I have met. I have always had shelter, a clean home, meals prepared with love, and a mother that loved her children and passed on to them the morals and values she was raised with. She was the voice of wisdom, encouragement, and hope. I never wanted for anything growing up although our family was not wealthy but working class parents. She always encouraged us to do our best and when we became parents she was a wonderful grandmother. She encouraged each of her 3 children to pursue their dream. 

When I went to see her yesterday at the family home for the last time I couldn't believe my mother had left and didn't tell me. I somehow thought I would know. At this time I can't see myself ever going back to her home in Georgia although I know one or more of her children will have to go. It would be bittersweet to visit my aunt and uncle who live on the same street and not know my mother is not in her home to greet me.

When I got out of bed this morning after taking many phone calls all night from family that could not sleep either, the first thing I saw was a male cardinal in my flower pot. How beautiful. I don't know if life will be as joyous for me or gardening. I looked at the container on my mom's porch I planted. The flowers are beautiful. In her yard the roses are in bloom and the plants she planted are beautiful and in bloom. I watered plants in her kitchen window and will soon bring them to my home and pray they live. I love you mom and I miss you. I never expected you to go so soon.

Betty Burrell February 25, 1943-May 25, 2014

What to do With a Shade Flower Bed?

The view from the window. I get disturbed every time I look at this bed compared to the perennial bed out front. Is there anything to plant besides hosta, heuchera, and fern? I can't chop down the trees because they don't belong to me. I know there are many shade plants but there are so many more beautiful flowering perennials for the sun. From reading I find many like moist shade and I ran into this problem with the astible. They do fine this time of year but when it heats up and gets humid they're gone. I love brunnera Jack Frost especially the blue flowers in the spring but it also likes moist shade, so does the ligularia (the rocket). Neither one are inexpensive if you buy it from a good online nursery. Never have seen it in a garden center. 

Perennial geranium may be possible but I don't want that as ground cover. I hear so much about trillium but I hate to kill something I payed too much money for.  My history for plant survival isn't great. There's also pulmonaria and helleborus, lamium, bergenia, and primula which also likes moisture. I haven't read the requirements for the other 4 yet. I'm sure there are a multitude of plants for dry shade but they don't make me excited except for the rocket and it may take years to build a clump of it and fill out a space, if it lives. Will I go out every day in the summer to water, no... What ever the plant, it has to be able to survive mainly on rain water. That's tough but realist for me. 

Don't want the whole yard to be hosta although I love them and there are so many varieties and colors.  I'd like the bed to be full like out front and have varying heights of plants and some color from blooms. Blooms that stagger throughout the season would be nice. I will have to continue my research before fall. Hopefully I can plant during the summer so they have time to be established since the perennials I planted last fall didn't survive. Do you have any suggestions?

Started to clean up the yard last Saturday but not finished. Trash bag still in the yard until then.

You can see how big the fern is from above. A few of these in the flower bed would take over the bed. That's an option and I love ferns but I want more planted than ferns.

Still have to put the hydrangea in the corner. I have to find the ceramic container in the packed shed.

Waiting to be planted but still looking okay. Broccoli that should have been planted long ago, Swiss chard, blueberry, sage, chives, and some annuals left in a flat. Cucumbers and one tomato were planted.