Flowers are Artistic

   The flowers in the Small Gardens had to fend for themselves for the past month.  With a torn muscle in the shoulder, yardwork came to a screeching halt and that included simple things such as watering.  Dragging a hose about the yard would merely make the healing take longer so I quit.  The poor plants suffered a bit due to the drought but, somehow, they managed to still bloom.  I was out admiring those blooms this morning when I found that perhaps plants have a bit of quirkiness about them.  I figured that maybe they are just artistic.

  The Stoke's Asters were in full bloom but looked a mite odd.  These asters should have sort of long, slender leaves not spikey ones and they sure do not grow on a 4ft tall stalk!  Closer inspection revealed that the asters had grown long and lanky.  They were so heavy with blooms that their own stalks could not give the support needed so the blooms fell into the Madonna lilies.  Once leaning on that thick stalk, the blooms became entwined with the spikey leaves.  This made quite the stunning "plant".  I was impressed!

  To be honest, the gardens always impress me even when they are a bit messy and unkempt like mine are currently.  When the plants are allowed to grow "wild and free", they seem intent on providing surprises at each turn of the path.  Thankfully, I only have one more week of "light duty" before I am allowed back to my usual active pace.  I have missed it...maybe the plants have missed me, too, since they are having to find their own props!

The Work In Progress

   Wandering about the Small Gardens today, I had to wonder if they would even be intact after the weekend.  Torrential rains and strong winds wreak havoc on our sweet little gardens.  For the past year, I have spent countless hours trying to make the winding garden paths and "rooms" a place that I could enjoy.  Being confined there for about six months gave me inspiration but the body being weakened did not give me the action needed to complete my vision.  Then, I was given the "all clear" to do what I wanted and the work was stepped up into high gear.  Things are coming together nicely.  There is still much work to be done but I am in pure bliss while spending time in the gardens.  Like I said, the storm season may destroy all I have done but the ideas will not be so easily squelched!  If I have to start anew, I shall.

  Just before the rains settled in for the afternoon, I was able to slip outside for a bit.  To my surprise, the Stoke's Asters were in bloom!  These beautiful flowers are actually wildflowers that grow down in the back of the Bayou where it meets the creek.  The asters flourish in their shadowy realm under the tree canopy.  Years ago, Son helped me dig a few of the plants and bring them to the Small Gardens.  Knowing they need the shade, the plants were rehomed under the jasmine hedge.  Each year since then, I am pleasantly surprised to find the 3inch diameter blooms spreading their purple cheeriness in the shade.  

  Finding the asters in bloom made me realize just how far the gardens and I have come in the past year.  We both are healing and growing.  Personally, I cannot think of a better place to be rejuvenated.