Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Changes

It's a very white and wintery day out there. There's fresh snow cover, and the sky is white with clouds. In my last post, I said that the mild spell was over, and real winter had arrived. This is still correct. I also said that I was busy dreaming about my upcoming garden year. Well, this hasn't turned out to be true.
You see, there have been some changes around here. We've had a monkey wrench thrown into our lives, and we may not still be in this home come summer. All is uncertain at this point.

Will I even be here to see my tulips bloom? Or will I need to start a new garden somewhere else?

If I had my druthers, I'd choose to stay here. I've worked hard to make this garden come alive. The entire yard was a blank slate when we moved in. Now the garden is getting to a point where it needs less care. The plants are filling in, leaving less room for weeds.

There are many favorite plants to see bloom, many favorite spots to enjoy.

I finally have that patio that I've wanted for so many years. It's become a place to sit and watch the world go by. It's a place to see the birds, bees, and butterflies that visit here. It's a place to rest from my labors.


But if I end up elsewhere, I'll just do it all again. A new home must have a place to garden. Others have suggested that we think about a condo, but I'm balking at that suggestion. I'm not ready to give up gardening, especially since the knee replacement is healing so well.

I try to remember that I had all these same feelings about moving here. I didn't want to make a new garden, or make new friends. But I did it anyway, and it turned out wonderfully. We've been very happy here, but I know I'll also be happy elsewhere.
But please let me see my tulips bloom! I don't even remember which ones we planted, so I'd better stick around to check.

16 comments:

  1. I have enjoyed so much visiting your garden. The view with the red bud in full bloom is spectacular. We left a garden on a small lot that I loved. When I look back at the photos, I get rather sad. We moved from 10,000 square foot lot to 5 acres. I've not been able to recreate the garden. I have fun trying. You will find the perfect place and a new adventure will begin. No condo for me either. Hopefully the tulips will bloom early. I wish you luck and cheer.

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    1. We love this house, and the garden that we created. It will be hard to leave it, but especially hard to leave the dear friends we've made. But it will also be fun to start fresh in a new climate, so we'll see where life leads!

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  2. Your yard and gardens are so beautiful, I can't imagine you having to start all over again! I know there's not much of a choice though. If it happens, whoever buys your house is very lucky with all those beautiful plantings - not to mention your patio - already in place. We've thought about downsizing into a condo or townhome too, and we realized we'd really miss the yard space and the gardening.

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    1. I've already decided that if we end up leaving, I'll send a letter to the new owners, explaining the plantings, etc. I did the same when I left my Michigan garden, and it made me feel better about leaving.

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  3. Gosh, Robin, I'm trying to remember when you moved--It was very difficult, if I remember correctly, but it worked out okay for you. I hope this move, if it happens, is as gentle as possible on you.

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    1. We've been here twelve years already, and you're right that it turned out wonderfully in the end. That's what I recall when I think about making a new home and garden elsewhere.

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  4. I don't know why you're moving but I know you'll create another beautiful garden wherever you go. You're very good at making blooms where you are planted!

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    1. Job changes may force a move to Charleston SC. A lovely, warm and beautiful place, but too far from family and friends for me. Nothing definite yet.

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  5. I hope it all turns out for the best for you and I hope you get to see your tulips. For a long time, I had a hard time adjusting to the fact that I was leaving a garden I had worked on for so long, but now I feel fine and it is so exciting beginning on a new one.

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    1. Yes, it will be fun to start fresh! I'm just struggling to think of being so far from family and friends. Can't wait to see how your new garden turns out!

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  6. Oh Robin, I hope you get to see your tulips bloom. Darn the luck having to move after all the blood, sweat and tears of creating a garden. I don't blame you for not wanting a condo just yet. If you have it in you you can do it. There will always be time to move,once again, to a condo.

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    1. Nothing definite yet, so it's likely that we'll still be here through spring at least. But we'd sure rather stay put! I'm struggling to think of being so far from my kids, grandkids, and dear friends.

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  7. Oh, no! I think changes forced by circumstances are harder than those we deliberately plan for. Nevertheless, change is always an opportunity for growth and an inspiration for creativity. I do hope you get to experience spring in your lovely garden! Best wishes, whatever comes!

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    1. I do think of it as an adventure, to make a new home and garden in a far away place. I have to think like that so that I don't get too sad about moving away from my family and friends.

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  8. I wish you the best, Robin! Sometimes, I think about leaving my garden one day in future, and I just freeze from that thought. But, life is a constant change, we all know that. I just visited one gardener who sold her house, she gave me some plants and tools. Her garden is so beautiful, I can't imagine how she can leave it. But, she and her husband said that it's their 7th move, and they had several nice gardens before. They are going to travel for a while, then build a house and plant a new garden. I'm sure that thinking of their attitude will help me one day.
    I love your pictures! The one with your patio and the grass is absolutely gorgeous!
    Hugs,
    Tatyana

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  9. Hello Robin girl .. I understand how you must feel because we have moved so many times in our lives. It adds more of an edge as we are getting older as well.
    I think that leaving a letter of explanation is a wonderful idea and the new owners should really appreciate that .. I know I would !
    I especially loved those Karly Rose grasses by your patio .. my favorite !
    S.Carolina is a possibility ? ... My son and DIL live not far from Charleston .. poor Canadian son minds the heat a lot but survives it .. yes a whole different climate with so many different options for gardening ... it will be a whole new world for you !
    I hope you see your tulips !
    The best of luck with this !
    Joy : )

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