When we left for California on May 31st the garden needed to be weeded, but it wasn't really growing much yet. Funny how that can all change in a week if you add just a tiny bit of heat and rain! When I drove into the driveway late on Wednesday night I was a bit overcome by all of the flowers. When did that happen?
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| Clematis 'Josephine'. |
After my father-in-law picked up my husband in Ukiah, I headed back to Oregon along Highway 101. I'd wanted to get in some more time with nature, but due to a tumble I took beside the Smith River, I chose to come home one day earlier than I'd originally planned. Glad I did too since the house may have been eaten by green if I'd waited any longer.
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| Clematis 'Josephine' climbing up one side of the living willow arbor. |
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| Clematis 'Lincoln Star'. |
Yesterday I had a lot to do, but first, I took my morning coffee out back to the garden and took in the sights while watching the youngest cat, Mona, rejoice in my return. The two
Clematis vines in bloom really made my day because the neck pain from the whip last was really excruciating. (Yes, you can get whip lash from falling and I recommend that all gardeners be careful when doing wobbly tasks.) I am so happy to see my garden smiling as it were again. It really made me smile a bit myself too.
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| Night Blooming Phlox (Zaluzianskya capensis) with pollenating friend. |
Later in the day I went back out to catch the Night Blooming Phlox when it opened. I was happy to see that an insect was happily doing its job. Adding back some night bloomers should really work wonders this year for insects and I am excited to see how that works out.
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| Night Blooming Mona the Cat enjoying new boxes brought home from my most recent road trip to California. Along the route back I purchased a lot of vintage items for my Etsy shops and I suppose she thinks this was her souvenir. |
Now if I can only fix the mess I have to clean up outside. Luckily, my favorite garden worker bee will be here this weekend and I know she will be ready to get to work.
Those clematis blooms are beautiful. What a wonderful welcome home. Those weeds just know too when we're gone.
ReplyDeleteGreat thing to come home to. Beautiful clematis. Here in DC our climate is north temperate most of the time but subtropical for 2-3 months in the summer. Coming back from vacation can cause claustrophobia!
ReplyDeleteI always love the way you compose your photos.
ChrisU,
ReplyDeleteToday it is so humid here I am having a horrible asthma problem. I wish all this crazy weather would stop and I am sure you know what I mean.
As for the composition compliment, it is funny that I only recently realized that my obsessive arrangement issues had been channeled in that direction long ago when I was in my 20s. My parents never recognized any creativity in me when I was a kid so I never really developed many creative skills until I was an adult. I am so happy to be able to continue to do so now, and to help foster kids with similar issues. How I adore my frustrated little artists!
Welcome home. It must have been pure joy seeing those clemmy blooms. I'm sorry you fell and aren't feeling well. I hope your recovery is swift. I have cats that love boxes too. Aren't they adorable?
ReplyDeleteI want 'Josephine'! What a beautiful clematis. Here in Croatia, the weather has been real tropical one too. My garden is so abundant and luxurious.
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