A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Laboring on Labor Day

Yesterday found me in my garden. The day was perfect for my chores. I started out in the front garden...cleaning up anything that looked raggedy. While I was working, the hummingbirds were flitting in and out...almost touching my elbow as I pulled out spent flowers. They were particularly interested in the Mandevilla. I noticed that they don't go deep into the tube like trumpet, but sneak in between petals to get to the nectar. The Mealy Cup Sage attracts them too. They go in and out of each tiny blossum getting nectar. What patience a hummingbird must have. Bees were everywhere in the garden, but didn't bother me. I usually don't wear bright clothing while gardening so as not to attract them. Moving along the front, I picked up branches from the River Birch on the corner. It had been windy during the night and there were lots of tiny branches in my Mary's Garden. The hostas still look pretty good. Bright chartreuse leaves ... some smooth and some puckered. Turning the corner is the herb-shade garden. I really had some work to do here. I pulled out a lot of Ajuga, which has been invading this garden. I like it for a border, but since it is easy to pull I leave it there...filling in bare spots. The dark blackish leaves are a nice contrast for the brighter greens of other plants. After I cleaned up this garden I planted six Japanese Anemones. They had come in the mail and were ready to be planted. I think they will be pretty blooming with the herbs, iris, lilies, and others. They are taller, so the house will be the backdrop for them. I put a couple on each corner of the clematis trellis. I decided to experiment with spinach and lettuce seeds. I planted the two big pots, that sit in the sun, near the herb garden with these seeds. I don't know what luck I will have, but it will be interesting to watch. If I get one salad out of them, I'll be happy. The wheelbarrow was full, so I made a trip to the woods to dump it on the pile. Mr. Groundhog was there again. He turned to look at me and then took off for his hidey hole. Wish I could find where he lives. After sitting on the bench enjoying the view and being eaten alive by mosquitoes, I came back up to the house. Things were pretty neat in the back...I noticed the Sedum Autumn Joy was just filled with bees and butterflies. I just love this plant. It looks great all through the year and makes pretty bouquets for the house. I next had to plant the perennials that spent the summer in a big pot. Lemon Thyme, Lavender, and Lemon Balm. I was careful where I put the Lemon Balm as it is invasive. Turning the last corner and going up the east side of the house I noticed that the Stella D'Oro Lilies had brown dried stalks and seed heads...making these plants look untidy. I pulled the stalks out and pulled the dried up leaves around the bottom of the plants. I got up to the red bench and didn't have enough energy to take the barrow back to the woods. So, it's in the garage waiting for me today. I sat a while and was very tired. A good tired. I had accomplished just what I set out to do. It was Labor Day and I had labored.
Balisha

9 comments:

Barbee' said...

What a good feeling!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Your surroundings sound beautiful.
Now I would describe, leaves falling, flowers drying, moss growing on the damp ground and I cannot keep anything neat here at the edge of the woods :) I think you do an excellent job.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Balisha...isn't it the greatest feeling? I cannot get enough of being out there...I had one of those little hummingbirds come right up and look at my right eye, then my left eye, which made me ever so happy that I had glasses on! I wonder if they have poor eyesight..or just are not afraid. It's amazing to see the different personalities in the birds..some brave, some combative, some timid.
:) Nature...it becomes us.
Hugs,
Mona

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

p.s. Balisha, would you mind very much writing and telling me how you saved your blog in print? I am so fearful that I will lose mine and I want to have it printed before some unforseen thing happens.
:) I would appreciate it so much.
Mona

Sue said...

I think that gardening would be good therapy for the soul! But since I have a brown thumb, I will never know for sure... *grin*
You may have been tired, but we all know that is "good" tired is not a bad thing, after all. It gives us a sense of accomplishment.
hugs, Sue

Balisha said...

It's so great to feel good and be able to garden. We have to enjoy this while we can...winter is on it's way and we in the midwest will be in looking out the window. I'm really trying to leave some things for "winter interest' and the birds. It seems we can get carried away and just tear everything out and forget our feathered friends. Balisha

Mona...I sent you an email about the book.Your blog is so beautiful I know it will be a beautiful book.

Tolentreasures said...

I love sedum also, but mine splits in the middle and falls. Should I stake it? Any suggestions?

Cathy

Balisha said...

Hi Cathy...I think that you should divide the sedum. I divide mine every few years. You really can't kill these...just dig it up and cut it in half. Balisha

Elenka said...

I know it's a good feeling, although dead tired, after one of those kind of days. I, too, worked in the garden on Labor Day, but it was a little sad seeing so many plants past their prime. "You know what" is coming....