Our most exciting family news is that my niece's long awaited baby arrived on July 5th, about a week later than expected. She is the first girl born into our family since her mother came along in 1980. Her great-grandmother may smother the poor child in pink dresses, but it's nice just the same, balances things up a bit with two older brothers in the house. Welcome to our Grace Ann!!! An old fashioned name for a 21st century girl.
Coming into high summer now and the weather is getting hot, hot, hot!!! Temperatures up to 30c are not at all unusual, and with our southern exposure it's hard to get the garden work done without feeling a bit fried at times. Today a good breeze is keeping things tolerable although it's another hot, dry day. Despite the heat, my shade loving impatiens and fuchsia are doing beautifully on the side steps. In shades of blush pink and rose, they cheer me up first thing every morning. The hummingbird likes them too. My Berries & Cream nemesia - a lovely scented hybrid - looks nice too, with bright and soft yellow mimulus that blend with the buttery yellow nemesia centres. Look out, Martha S.!!!
We've had a few snacks from the food plants, one harvest of mesclun (spicy lettuce mix) from the cut & come again planting; a few sugar snap peas; and the first leaves of swiss chard. It is delicious sauteed in a bit of oil with onions and tomatoes, then sprinkled with the tarragon/chive vinegar made from my chive blossoms.
Coming into bloom now are the gem marigolds - orange, gold, yellows; daylilies (a gift from my sister, so mystery colours till open, mostly gold varieties; antique shades pansies; rose coloured milkweed; and the glorious peony Sarah Bernhardt. Sarah's almost past it now, but for about two weeks has been a joy to behold, full of lush pink blooms. It's a plant I've had for thirteen years and has moved twice with me. I think when the time comes to leave this place it may be better off left behind, though dividing is a possibility. Perennials are a mixed blessing when renting, because you leave a bit of your heart behind with every garden you've made. At least I do. I still remember fondly a wonderful collection of Asiatic lilies from my garden in the city. How I'd love to have them again.
This time of year the wildflowers are as showy as anything in the garden. Out back in the unmowed meadow, purple wild peas, tall snowy daisies and red-orange devil's paintbrush are so beautiful they make me wish I could paint like Monet. The butterflies are frequent visitors, orange and yellow "flying flowers" that lift the spirits just by being. When walking to the store, I spotted a graceful clump of mauve and pink foxgloves just growing in the ditch - pretty as can be, and frustrating as I've tried to grow them several times without success. Wild roses and strawberries dot the roadsides too, along with feathery clumps of ferns. My son grows impatient when I stop to look at everything in bloom, still young enough to often be in a hurry.
As I walk in late afternoon, I often hear the soft hoots of the mourning dove's call from the woods. I've read that in the Appalachians, mountain folklore says that the spirit of loved ones passed over are calling. Life and death side by side always, and meant to be in the natural way of things, though parents are meant to be the first ones to go, not our children. Still, I find comfort in the many ways people of the world keep our loved ones in memory when they're gone. They are always with us.
I always make up a special container for my son's grave in the summer, and soon it will be time for Dad and I to take his rosemary and marigolds out, rosemary for remembrance as always. It's a peaceful place bordered by silver birches, and I like knowing my flowers are there by the footstone that spells out his name. Blessings on us all, especially the family of our latest fallen soldier. He grew up in Fredericton, where I lived for many years. May they all be at peace.
An Old Irish Blessing
May you always be blessed
with walls for the wind
a roof for the rain
a warm cup of tea by the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you
and all that your
heart might desire.
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