Winter Sunsets

I am particularly enchanted by sunsets. Some will watch them when vacationing at the beach, but otherwise don't seem to notice the unfolding beauty. I've even been at the beach during a beautiful sunset, while others are casually leaving the scene without a backward glance. How do they do that?

Me, I seek out the sunset, where ever and when ever I can. I'm always looking for the perfect spot where I can enjoy the closing of the day. Generally, they seem to be better if they can be seen over a body of water, right? Well, there is a big pond right down the road, but because it's part of a wetland nature preserve, the access is limited. You just can't get on the right side of the pond to see the sun set in summer. But in winter, the sun sets right over the water, or ice as the case may be. Perfect.

Now it takes a little fortitude to enjoy the scene in winter. Yes, you can point your camera out the car window. But the best views require you to get out of the warm car, and brave the cold. And I do believe it is impossible to take a picture with gloves on.

Oh well, it doesn't matter. The sun is gone in a few minutes, then it's home to warm up. And of course I have the place to myself in winter.

So try it sometime. Enjoy a winter sunset. Enjoy any sunset! It's the marking of another beautiful day gone by. Isn't that worthy of our appreciation?

Thinking about Roses

I've been thinking about my roses. You see, I am quite famous for my roses here in the neighborhood. My home is on the corner lot, and the long, east side of it faces out onto the street. East facing gardens are ideal for roses, so they line that whole side, right where the neighbors can enjoy them. I didn't plan it for them actually, but it was a happy accident nonetheless.

I am an organic gardener for the most part. But no matter how I try, I cannot manage the blackspot without a little boost of fungal spray. Otherwise, I use organic methods for my pretties. I use purchased organic fertilizer, and generous amounts of coffee grounds from Starbucks. Occasionally, I apply crushed egg shells and banana peels to the soil.

 I've even tried purchasing ladybugs to keep the aphids at bay, but they mostly flew away. Still, the natural population of ladybugs here is fairly good.

But the worst problem for me are the dreaded Japanese beetles that arrive every year to devour my favorite blooms. And before you tell me to treat the grubs in my lawn, I have to make it clear that we don't have a problem with grubs. What no one seems to remember is that Japanese beetles can fly, and travel right over to my delicious roses after they hatch from the other grub filled lawns!

My solution is an easy one, but it's rather gross. I simply patrol the roses every day, wearing a plastic glove, and holding a cup of soapy water to drown them in.

With all that being said, I would still like the roses to be even better. I found many of the canes to be bare at the bottom. So I'll study up on that. Do you think I should actually *read* that lovely rose book I purchased? Yes, I think I will. After all, they are the fairest of the flowers.

Learning to Appreciate Winter

After the mild winter we had last year, this one has already been a snowy one. As suspected, we've already had more snow so far than we had the whole winter last year. You'd think that would be a bad thing for a winter hater like me. Instead, I'm enjoying it. What?

I have no idea why the change of heart. Maybe it's something as simple as the cleanliness of the snow cover.

What ever the reason, I'm simply going to accept my new found appreciation for winter.

  I even thought of another good reason to enjoy all this snow. We need the moisture! Remember, we are coming off of a drought. Once the snow melts, my garden will say "Ahhh". Well, if it could talk, I guarantee it would make that sound we all make when our thirst is quenched.

The snow was so pretty on this New Year's Day that I had to go out and walk in it, of course with my camera in hand. I have my own little spot to enjoy a snowy day, and no one else seemed much interested in it. Their loss. The only bad part is that its unpopularity means that the paths will not be shoveled. I had to wade right through the snow, but came prepared with boots.

I thought it was noteworthy that the first day of the new year was whitewashed clean by the snow. Our lives are the same way. We have a brand new year to do with what ever we want. The old year has been covered in snow, and the new one is clean, fresh, and ready to go!

Welcome 2013, I'm glad to see you, even covered in snow.

Looking back....

It's the end of the year, and so many of us are looking back over 2012 in review. I'm not going to lie, it wasn't my favorite year. There were many high points, and I treasure those. But the lows were hard to fight. I'm looking forward to 2013 being a much better year. For one thing, I've retired from my job, and can call my time my own. That alone will make 2013 a very good year.

 And as for the garden, it was not a good year at all. Some of that may have been neglect, but most of it was due to the drought conditions experienced by much of the country. Still, there were plenty of highlights to the year, even at it's worst. One good thing about the mild weather was that I actually had pansies still blooming in January. That was a first.

By March, there were daffodils, crocus, hellebores, primrose, species tulips, and even the Bradford pear in bloom. At the end of the month, even the beloved redbud was in bloom.

April felt like full on summer, and the drought hadn't kicked in yet. Everything was green and lush. The late spring and early summer flowers bloomed in profusion, and it was tempting to put the summer annuals in. But I knew better.

May is the month of roses at my house. And 2012 was no different. May also saw my arbor looking pretty enough that the neighborhood girls wanted their prom pictures taken there, and I was only too happy to oblige.

June and July went by in a blur. I had knee surgery, and barely even touched the garden. By then, the drought had begun. Things did bloom without my help, but the whole garden started to look tired. And the lawn burned to a crisp.

As the summer drew to a close, we had all but given up on the garden. There were some troopers out there blooming, but it was harder and harder to find the pretty spots. The butterflies didn't seem to mind, and continued to visit in great numbers.

Despite the dry, dry summer, autumn turned out to be one of the most beautiful ones we've had here. Every day was warm, dry, and sunny. I "wasted" many an autumn day out enjoying the beauty, in every park in town.

In November, the cold weather finally arrived, and the garden goodbyes began. I had to search harder to find  the beauty, and settled for a more subtle style. Even freeze dried flowers are worthy of note when winter is breathing down your neck.

And now it's the end of December. My garden is sleeping under more snow than we had the whole winter last year.

Come on 2013, let's make this the best garden year ever!

Where Flowers Never Fade

It's time for the garden to sleep. Flowers have faded away, and the colors are dulled. 

But I know where the flowers never fade.

 I can go there any time and find them waiting for me.

 All the beauty of the seasons past are still there.

 Colors bright and colors fair smile up at me.

 Here is where my garden still shines.

 All it takes is a moment, and I can be in the garden once more.

 That's why you should photograph your garden.

 Because then your flowers are frozen in time for those dark and dreary days of winter.

 Just when you think you can't take another gray day, you open up your photo files, and the colors save your spirit just in time.

 So come with me to the where the flowers never fade. It's even better than the memories.