Monday, June 14, 2021

Hello Old Friends

Hello to all of my friends here.  It's been quite a while since I shared anything on my blog, though I have visited with a few of you.  This past year seems to have left me lacking in Joy which is the whole idea of my blog.  I am blessed beyond measure and am quite surprised at my lack of enthusiasm.  Maybe it's old age creeping in or just the same ole same ole around here.  I'm sure you didn't come here to hear complaints so I'll gather a few photos and try to get my groove back.  I truly have enjoyed sharing here and getting to know so many new friends.



My passion for gardening always seems to help my spirit.  We have been blessed with close to 5 inches of rain this month.  After a very dry May, this has been needed sorely.  It's really not a good idea to go into summer with a deficit of rain in our hot, humid area.  I do hope the abundance of rain has not affected you with flooding as has happened in our state.

The Jackmanii Clematis has certainly been happy with all the moisture.  She shares her home on the other side of the trellis with the Pinkie Climbing rose.  Grayden made this trellis for us over 30 years ago.  It's made of copper tubing and has turned verdigris that blends nicely with the climbers.


 The above photo was taken last month.  The roses are now over for the time being.  Yesterday I deadheaded and fertilized all the roses so I should get more blooms.  


The Eastern Redcedar is loaded with berries.  I enjoy seeing the different textures on this juniper (juniperus virginiana) which is actually not a cedar at all.  It's quite popular in the eastern part of North America.  I'm sure most were planted by the birds as they are seen along fence lines.  If you have fruit trees it is not a good idea to have redcedars as they seem to be the host for cedar apple rust that will destroy them.  But the redcedar has many good qualities that include great places for wildlife to rest.  It will grow in very poor soil as well and is known to live a very long time.  Some have been known to be around for hundreds of years.  They are often seen in old  cemeteries and on old undisturbed properties.


This year looks like it's going to be great for hydrangeas.  I love picking a blossom or two and bringing it indoors for the table.   




The Lacecap Hydrangea is enjoying the extra raindrops that fell.



You can spot the Oakleaf Hydrangea on the upper left.  She sure loves the hot, humid summers here.  The white vinca are beginning to grow as well as all the volunteers from past years!


Our resident bunny let me approach him very closely this morning!  We have observed him most mornings munching on grass and enjoying whatever he wants in the perennial garden.


Maybe he'll join me when I'm weeding this bed!  Can you spot him?


Thank you for stopping by, my friends.  I hope the upcoming summer days find you well.









 
 

27 comments:

  1. What a lovely visit we've had, although as my darling Daddy would have said "less of the old!" I find I am suffering from the same lack of joy, and often times now I am overwhelmed by apathy. I don't think it is older age, maybe it is, but I think it is more to do with the collective energies of our strange world.
    Mr Bunny is adorable, and give him a blue jacket and, well, who knows?
    Grayden made a beautiful job of the copper trellis, it looks spectacular indeed, smothered in pink roses.
    Stay safe and well, my {not so old and young at heart} friend xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Deb, "the collective energies of our strange world" is it! I've always said I wouldn't be one of those old ladies that complained about everything. I'm trying, really I am. This roller coaster pandemic has left me more negative than I've ever been. Thank you for your insight. Take care, my friend. xoxo

      Delete
  2. So glad to have another beautiful post from you, Martha. Your exceptional photography skills combined with your gorgeous garden gave me a much-needed mini-vacation this morning! Something I'm finding helpful when lacking joy or enthusiasm is to not listen to or read the news. The world is in such a state and people are full of anger and contentiousness ("the collective energies of our strange world," as Rustic Pumpkin put it so well), and taking all that in is not good for me. Wishing you joy and peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jean, you are so kind and I do appreciate your thoughts. Other than reading the newspaper I too stay away from the negativity that the news online and on the tv bring into our home. Deb, hit the nail on the head--she is a brilliant writer. Wishing you joy and peace as well, my friend.

      Delete
  3. That's me: Old friend! I feel your mood and am right beside you. The good thing to remember is that things usually improve. I hope that you and your sweetheart have plans. They don't have to be grand plans. (My sister and I have been invited mudding. I kid you not. The end of the month will find us in a muddy old jeep deep in the woods. 😉)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Vee, I do hope there is a post to look forward to on your adventure mudding! I must say that is not what I would expect from you. Hold onto your hat, dear friend.

      Delete
  4. Your passion for gardening definitely comes through. It's beautiful, Martha Ellen and I know it takes a ton of work to get it that way. I love that your bunny let you get rather close. I'm a sucker for bunnies and he's very handsome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeanie, Grayden and I saw seven bunnies on our walk this morning! At every turn another one surprised us. Thank you for your kind words. Have a great afternoon, friend.

      Delete
  5. Hello Martha Ellen, I have missed you. First off, can we have some of your rain? We haven't had hardly any rain this year, and we really need it. It's good to see that your garden is coming along so beautifully. I love all your garden statues, and have been looking around for some myself, but can't seem to find just the right one. The Lacecap Hydrangea is so unusual and pretty. I've never seen that before. Oh, that little bunny must be a pleasant sight to see in your garden. And he must feel comfortable there coming back and forth. Well, I hope it doesn't get too warm for you this Summer. And sorry you've been in a funk, we all get that way sometimes. But know you are missed and loved, dear friend.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sheri, I would love to send you rain if it were in my power. It's so sad that your area is so dry. I'm sure you will find just the right garden statue when you least expect it. Garden centers usually have specials at the end of the season, if you can wait. Thank you for your kind words and love, dear friend.

      Delete
  6. Hi, Martha Ellen! I well-understand how you have been feeling. This lovely stroll through your garden has certainly given my spirits a lift! It is easy to see the joy you have put into your space! I must share that “someone who will not be named” did some inappropriately timed pruning of our Oak Leaf Hydrangea last season. I’m not certain that we will have any blossoms at all this year. Researching proper pruning times will be very helpful.:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nellie, I'm sorry to hear about your oakleaf hydrangea. I have never pruned this shrub. We bought it years ago at Monticello. My garden and I are happy you joined us for a stroll around today.

      Delete
  7. Dear Martha Ellen so nice to see a post pop up from you. Our clematis are blooming beautifully right now. We can't enjoy hydrangeas in this yard since the deer love them too much. We have had a dryer than usual Spring here and enjoyed a good soaking early this morning so I'm happy to not have to water today. Beautiful photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's good to hear you have had some rain, Ellen. Deer don't bother us and I'm so thankful. Thank you for stopping by for a visit.

      Delete
  8. I have been the same Martha, I am blessed with so much including beautiful surroundings and yet very little enthusiasm for blogging. Your stroll through the garden was a delight and such a joy to see your resident rabbit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Loraine, I know this has been such a tough year and a half for most of us. It has left me speechless about a lot of things in life. Gardening helps me to put things into perspective. Thank you for stopping by my humble space.

      Delete
  9. Hello to you too . . . and I must say that I am hear for whatever you want to share, even a few complaints. A friend is always willing to hear your heart.

    Oh my . . . you always share such lovely things from your garden. I enjoy when you share tidbits of knowledge for us non-gardening types. I always learn something! Today I am intrigued by the Eastern Redcedar. It is pretty with its berries and sounds like something that would work in our own yard. I'll mention it to Ron . . .

    Hope you have some joys ahead this summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for listening to my heart as I work through the darkness that is visiting.
      The Eastern Redcedar is so lovely and I'm pretty sure it would do well in your area. It is also good to use as a screen if needed.
      Today was quite joyous as we attended our middle grandson's graduation from high school. Happy June, my friend!

      Delete
  10. Hello! How wonderful to see you here!
    I have missed you. Your gardening is beautiful! I appreciate it so much. I have no green thumb at all! I am happy to view your lovely photos and learn from them too. Please feel free to share however you are feeling here. That is what friends are for! Have a cozy evening!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Billie Jo, it's nice to have a visit from you, my friend. Kindred spirits seem to find each other. I hope you are well and you are enjoying happy June days.



      Delete
  11. I so enjoyed this visit to your garden, beautiful blooms.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Martha, I hear you my dear friend. With everything going on, and as blessed as I feel I am, I get a tad taste of the blues every now and again. It was great to see you posting again and I loved these photos. You have such a beautiful garden and apparently that cute bunny thinks so too. But you post when you want to, no pressure whatsoever. Sometimes it is hard to get our get-up-and-go, but one step in front of the other, one day at a time, and as far as posting? No pressure :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise, I appreciate your kind words of wisdom. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing our garden with our sweet little bunny. This is the year of the bunny around here! On our walk this morning, we saw a total of 17 bunnies!

      Delete
  13. Hi Martha Ellen!
    Your garden is so beautiful! Your roses and hydrangeas are so beautiful and remind me of what I loved to grow when I lived in Brooklyn.
    I spend a lot of time working on my garden here in Colorado but growing things here in the west is a constant struggle between clay rocky soil, cold and hot weather, hail, wildlife, drought and so on. I keep trying different flowers and perennials to see what will flourish under such conditions.
    Happy first day of Summer and Fathers Day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat, I would have no idea how to garden in Colorado! I know it much be a challenge. Thank you for your kind comments and visit this afternoon. Happy Summer and Father's Day to you as well!

      Delete
  14. Love the sky in your first photograph.

    You do have a beautiful looking garden.
    Sweet pictures of the bunny, we have a few squirrels in our garden and it's fun to watch them ...

    Take care, my good wishes.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete

Your comments will show after moderation. Thank you. ♥