Just Fine

   I was wandering about the yard this morning because, well, I did not feel like doing anything else.  It was one of those days that chores seemed to be far too much effort so I went choreless and wandered.  Sometimes wandering is a good thing.  It does not mean you are lost but rather that you just have nowhere else to go at the moment.  So...I wandered.  As I wandered, I breathed in the goodness that only the Bayou can share.  I needed that refreshing air to help clear the mind.

  Wandering also gives one time to ponder things.  This is where my mind goes at times when it wanders!  As I passed through the Small Gardens, many plants caught my eye.  Ahh, the gloriosa lilies, the deutzia bush, the spirea, the fig trees...all from Pop's gardens from so long ago.  Then the hot pink crepe myrtle blooms stood out against the green, leafy background...again, from Pop.  This all got me to pondering.  Why?  Why do I seem to follow just about everything Pop did in gardening?  It looks like with all the newfangled things on the market, I would simply give up the old ways.  Plant new things! Get new tools!  Use new methods!  Nope...I follow what Pop taught me.  Why not?  It seems to be working just fine.  Yep, just fine, indeed.

Puddle Pond is Back!

  The hard work is paying off.  I am finally starting to see results from about a week of shoveling gravel, digging holes and running tubing.   I had decided to dig out the gutter drain and turn it into a "fake" creek with a small pool at the end.  Since we live on a hill, getting the water to run into the tiny pond was easy enough but digging the gravel drain to put in a liner was a ton of heavy work.  Old ladies should not be doing heavy work.  I found out this after just the first day!  Every muscle in my body was sore!  Even muscles that I did not know I had were sore!!  The days after that initial go were not too bad.  I guess I became used to hurting and did not feel it as bad. 

  All of this hard work came about because of a sweet friend.  Ann came by with a gift of a garden sign dubbing the place "Ruthie's Refuge".  Well, you cannot have a sign calling something a refuge without it at least being a soothing place to be.  I have long wanted my little "babbling brook" back ever since it stopped flowing several years ago.  The liner went bad in what I called "Puddle Pond" and I had no time nor energy to replace it.  Ann's encouragement kicked me in gear and things are getting accomplished finally.  

  Now, all that is needed is the aesthetic touches that will bring this part of the yard to life.  A bit of lighting, some flowering plants and maybe a pretty bird feeder are next on the list to find their way into the "Refuge".  Then, I can pull up my comfy wicker chair and enjoy being in my own little happy spot.

Purple or Orange?

  A while back, I painted the interior of the french doors a deep purple.  In fact, it was called "Proper Purple".  Why?  I don't know other than I just felt like it.  Mark took me to the local building supply place and I bought a gallon of purple paint much to the vexation of the gentleman mixing my paint.  During the course of the transaction, he nonchalantly made small talk which included "What are you painting purple?"  He was surprised that I said "doors".  Then, he proceeded to ask a dozen questions about why I would do such.  I tried to be polite about his nosiness but he kept prodding.  The only answer that seemed to get him off the subject was a rather short "They are my doors."    That said, I painted the doors and have been immensely satisfied with the color which is strange since the color has not been a particular favorite before.  I felt like purple so I painted purple.

  Fast forward to today.  Yep.  I pulled out that gallon of purple paint and slathered two nice coats on the front door...exterior!  Oh, my!  How lovely the door looks now!  I am sure to get the odd looks and haughty remarks from visitors to the Little Bayou House.  Does it bother me?  Nope.  Not at all as this is my door.  Sometimes you just have to take a chance and live a bit. 

The rain made it impossible to get a full photo of my purple door!

  The two menfolk that live in the Little Bayou House have never really questioned my choice of colors or decorating.  They more or less ignore what is done.   Mark is so used to coming home to some oddity that he takes it all in stride.  He said he never knows what will be next and it probably does not hurt that he is slightly color-blind.  Son, on the other hand, says it does not bother him what color I paint things as long as he is not doing the painting.  Fair is fair, I guess.

  Now, is there some untold meaning behind the purple doors?  Is there an ulterior secret that the color represents?  Nope to both questions.  The first doors to be painted purple were on a whim and they pleased me.  Today's door was painted purple because I had a choice.  The door was shabby and needed refreshing so I painted using leftover paint.  There were two gallons of paint handy... "Proper Purple" and "Bright Pumpkin".  The orange was leftover from the inside of a hutch that I painted this last fall.  Now...did I want a subdued, regal purple door or did I want to live in a pumpkin?  I opted for the "Proper Purple"!  Hmmm...I wonder what else I can paint?  I do have that orange.......