Why I Did What I Did (confessions of a midnight gardener)

1 of only 2 blooms.

In 8 years.

THAT is why I cut the stinkers back.

Way back.

I trimmed, pruned, moved, fed some but not others,

removed half the bush in many efforts

to get those heavy, gorgeous blooms.

This year I will cover with burlap.

2 blooms.



This is number two.



There is little color left,

something I intend to change for next fall.

The roses have yet to succumb,

along with a few stray hearty soldiers.

Imagine my immense disappointment

when my ALL WHITE mums

began to turn when the rains came.

They were gorgeous,

like a huge bouquet of miniature roses.

Now, they look like...

fall mums.

Therapy trick #2 is to walk out to the basil plant

several times daily and run your hands through it or better yet,

dead head it and pick a few leaves

for the salad or black bean burger.

Same goes for any remaining tomato plants.

(solar light added for night therapy)

One of my new favorites.



Teaser

Last week was amazing but very bittersweet for those me. Sorta like that old cliche..."it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all". Hmm. The jury is still out on that in my book.

The feel of summer, while intoxicating, was overshadowed by the dramatic change in color and noticeably cooler nights. You can not fool me Michigan, I know what you have up your sleeve. And so it was with with a heavy heart that I proceeded to pretend that indeed, it was only June and took advantage of what I had for those few days of Indian Summer. I played with my camera. We tilled, limed and planted the pasture. Let the horses out for long feasts of grass and even longer hot sweaty rides. I spent 2 evenings pulling a trailer over nearly vertical railroad tracks into a huge, secluded hay field, driving barefoot, windows down, kids throwing bales into the trailer as I inhaled the sweet smell of Alfalfa.   We spent the time that we are usually in the library during  Nathan's German class romping new parks. 

I spent long hours tending to my flower garden that sits ignored during summer's business. Dividing perennials, planting new found favorites and even removing (permanently) ones that I have never actually loved but never thought it was "OK" to remove-after all the gardener designed it so it must be good.

No more.

Even as I watched the leaves begin falling faster, I found freedom and peace in deciding what I want in my garden and the sweat, dirt and physical drain that tags along with overhauling such an area. Thanks to my amazing deal at Tractor Supply, I have a huge stock of solar lighting and  found myself outdoors well after tuck-in time, enjoying the sounds and smells that only exist after sundown. Pruning a bush by moonlight (and a bit of help from Tractor Supply) is not something you will find recommended in the better gardening magazines but it is very therapeutic, especially at this time of the year. Fortunately the bush is forgiving and will come back in time. As will summer.

Escort

This week I drove Nathan to Civil Air Patrol

and enjoyed a few hours spent reading.

While waiting, I received a call and a list

of things we HAD to have from the store.

That night.

Luckily a Family Fare was close by so after Nathan was finished for the night,

we drove over to fulfill our list.

We had quite a few second glances and stares,

me in my yoga pants and running shoes

and Nathan in his BDU's (camo's) and combat boots.

I'm CERTAIN that people were thinking that he was home on leave

and what a cute couple we made...

*uh uhm*

SO...back to Civil Air Patrol and the terminology.

This presented me with a few difficulties which I a slowly overcoming.

Why not camo's?

No, it is Battle Dress Uniform (BDU's).

Dress Blue's-now that I get.

What is most terrifying is memorizing

ALL THOSE RANKS.

This is the auxilliary of the USAF and as such, everything is done to their standards.

Everything.

Including the exact placement of anything that gets sewn on to the uniform.

This isn't sitting down the day of a Boy Scout meeting quickly tacking on

a few thin merit badges to a think cotton shirt.

Between the thickness of the BDU's and the badges

I had bent needles and bleeding fingers.

Fortunately, Nathan found an exceptional seamstress

who did it by machine.

Nathan spent a full week 5 hours away at an Air Force Base at Encampment.

Think bootcamp.

5 am PT (physical training).

Hospital corners on beds using yardstick and ruler for precision.

No speaking during meals.

No milk, juice, pop. No dessert unless your flight leader thought your group

had an exceptional day. (Leader always got milk, juice, dessert)

Classes covering military customs and regulations.

Also because of the aspirations of these kids,

encampment also meant taking over the controls of a Cessna in flight 

and getting a pull up in a glider and pulling the release the float mercilessly

at hand of your pilot. Nathan had a retired F-18 pilot in his glider

who asked him if he liked roller coaster rides...perfect match.

Graduation was amazing and full of emotion. True military style. (And length).

Important brass came for the occasion.

Nathan's good friend Tyler, who introduced him to C.A.P.   

Heading to Subway, for "real food" (?)

 I love being a part of my children's life everyday...

Watching them become all that God created them to be

and helping them fulfill their dreams.    

 

Prior to that...

September 17, 1997

The Day Franchesca was Born

We were at fair on Franchesca's birthday this year.

My Mom surprised her by bringing a cake to Allegan.

And telling the announcer that it was her birthday.

This post really should have come before

our anniversary post and then I developed a cold

and  I've spent my extra time (night)

doing some catchup work in  my garden...

So Happy 14th Birthday

Franchesca Grace James

We were planning her family cake party for

the next day but Solomon  became ill.

We cancelled the party

and brought a few gifts up to my room

so Solomon could watch. Lily got to come too.