The Bayou Orchid

  Back in March, Mark came home from the lumberyard with an orchid plant.  He had no idea exactly what it was and I had no idea how to care for it.  From what I had heard, orchids were some of those fickle plants that needed to be treated with "kid-gloves".  My idea was that they were not "Bayou" enough to ever call the place home but now one was here.  I had good intentions of learning the "art of orchid growing" but, instead, I plopped the plant on the herb tower and promptly forgot to do any research.  The plant was pretty much on its own.  It got watered when the herbs were watered and fed when they were fed.  It stayed in full shade between the basil plants.  Every time I passed the poor thing, I thought of how I really should figure out how to tend its needs.  I never did.  When the plant arrived here, it had four or five blooms on a towering stalk held up by a tiny (6 inch) trellis.  It was in a small pot that was inserted into a ceramic bowl that had no drainage.  The bowl was removed, the plant was plopped into a larger pot with mulch.  That was it.  That was as far as I got.

  Now, five months later, the orchid is still blooming.  It has never stopped.  When one flower withers, it is replaced with another.  The plant seems to have adapted well to its surroundings regardless of the lack of attention.  Several times, I offered the plant to Darling Daughter thinking it would receive so much better care with her.  She always declines saying "You are doing amazing with it, Mom!"  Nope...the plant is doing amazing on its own...I am doing nothing...and the orchid blooms...and blooms.  Regardless of the neglect.  I suppose it truly is a Bayou Orchid now.

The "Rain Forest"

  For the past three days, it has rained...a LOT!  In fact, we have gotten nigh on a foot of rain according to the rain gauge attached to the garden fence post.  Throw in the fact that it is in the forecast for us to have rain for the next three days and you can imagine how wet things are here.  You can also probably imagine just how shabby the yard looks.  All of this fine rain has made the plants slap happy so everything has grown a foot or so.  This would be alright if I was able to push that lawnmower or run the weed trimmer.  Poor Son will have to tackle the chore himself come the first dry day.  My work efforts are still limited so I am no use whatsoever.  

  While strolling through my queendom of the Small Gardens, I was able to venture out the gate for a few moments.  This took me to the back of the greenhouse where just last night, the Night-blooming Cereus plants were in full bloom.  The huge, saucer-sized flowers were a thrill to see and I was ever so thankful for Son.  His steady, strong arms guided me to the perfect spot to photograph the blooms.  He, also, took photographs in case mine were shaky.  The blooms were truly breathtaking and the outing was invigorating.  

   During the few moments we were there, he and I both noticed that the plants on that back deck were enormous!  The rain obviously agreed with them.  Just a week ago, it was easy to maneuver on the little porch but now there was  little room to even get to the doorway.  It was a jungle back there!!!  My secluded oasis had turned into a "rain" forest!  I need to hurry and heal so I can get back to caring for my plants as they could all use a good trimming.  The Small Gardens shall have to wait a bit longer but the Queen shall soon return! .Perhaps I should add Queen of the Back "Rain" Forest to my title!  I am gradually increasing my realm!

THAT is an herb garden!

  For the past few months, the gardens have fully been neglected.  Other obligations called my attention away from the weeding, tilling and planting.  We have no fall garden and will likely not see any fresh vegetables until next spring.  I feel guilty, in a way, but then, I feel too tired to fret over it much.  

  This afternoon, I took the old dog out for a slow stroll around the hillside.  He is not doing well and it is a struggle for him to walk much.  He does seem to enjoy the slow paced strolls with many rest stops along the way, however.  On one such rest, I piddled in the herb garden for a bit.  Chives are about the only thing that is thriving at the moment and, sad to say, I may regret the neglected patch come next spring.  As it is, I already have far too many chives, but each and every plant has gone to seed.  Thousands of seeds are being flipped to the ground with each breath of wind.  At this rate, the entire lawn will be chives soon enough.  Next spring will find me cutting chives instead of grass!

  On second thought, perhaps this overabundance of chives is not a bad thing!  Maybe my lackadaisical style of gardening has a bit of hidden wisdom!  Cutting the grass around here takes a good six hours of pushing a lawnmower and swinging the trimmer.  If the chives are allowed to grow where they may, my yard time may be cut a good deal!  Instead of mowing, I can leave the place be!  My reasoning?  I no longer have a lawn!  It is now an herb garden and we all know that you do not mow herbs!  Now, that is thinking ahead!