We woke to the rumbling of thunder in the mountains which tends to echo and to my hearing, is super dramatic. A long time has passed since there has been measurable rain. A burn ban remains in place because it has been so dry presenting me with minor challenges for keeping my garden watered. I call it my garden, but let's be real, without Bruce there would be no garden! I am having so much fun filling it with all manner of plants. Much to my dismay, I think it might have been last Tuesday that something bit me on both my right arm and ankle. You've heard it before....incredible itching and scratching ensued as the tissue swelled over the next two days before finally subsiding. Seriously, I was going mad! Nevertheless, I kept planting and planting, being mildly obsessed at the moment.
Speaking of obsessed, our town is obsessed with American Idol and there's a big billboard on the highway through town to prove it. Forgive me for the poor photograph but I took it through the open window as we waited for the light to change at the entrance to the Ingles parking lot.
I still don't understand how it works, but we have been watching the show each Monday night and it's actually been quite fun. The update is that last night he made the cut to the final five and will have to have a killer performance next week because he has stiff competition. And then there is the matter of getting votes so if you are inclined to help a small-town boy and his town win this thing, please consider the above as in voting next Monday between 8-10pm. We have learned that should he make the top three, ABC will return to town to do some filming next week. Pretty crazy, huh? Furthermore, the town is planning a parade should he make it!! So there you go, a young man who graduated Murphy High School and still lives here.
I neglected to mention that a week ago Saturday, Bruce sat with John most of the day as he set up his handmade furniture on the church lawn, with all his profits going to Soul Table, our weekly free lunch. It was a busy day in the area and he gave ALL of what he sold to the ministry. I went over in the afternoon to hang out and when the wind picked up a bit, John's paper towels went rolling...
Bruce is over at John's shop right now helping with the Big Brother's project, helping local children make things. Bruce tells me that all of the young people are so well-mannered.
Once again, my strong man came through by removing the rocks that lined this bed and amending the soil. There were two trellises in it, one of which had fallen down. Adding to that, it is in a very good spot for full sun and it was going to waste. So..
The day I planted it was overcast, so wearing long-sleeves and pants to keep me from getting bit, and since Bruce had done such a wonderful job with the soil, I managed to do it by myself and not get bit as well. I used some plants I'd already purchased, some bulbs that won't be coming up for a while, the Easter Lily we got as a memorial to brother Cris, and two new plants whose name I forget, one of which is blooming right now with the other one not far behind.
Isn't it cute? Here's the bed after planting minus the zinnia seedlings I added later.
The huge rainstorm I mentioned revealed a stopped-up gutter just above where the bird bath is and it did my seedlings no favors however getting the big ladder out Bruce cleared it and it is now in good shape, just in time for the predicted overnight rain. The roses are just beyond and I am thrilled to report, they began opening this week!!
Plenty of the color above, but the yellow one is still on it's way to becoming more fruitful.
The good news is that both of them are SO fragrant!
Aren't they so pretty?
Look at the potatoes growing!
One plant has a flower forming, but who knows what is happening underground!! Those are peony buds in the foreground, and oh my goodness, last Saturday Bruce was meant to throw the discus and shot put for Senior Games but it was rained out, so we went to the farmer's market downtown instead. As we parked I noticed that in front of the Hackney building there were a big display of blooming peonies and oh my gosh were they gorgeous!
I just love how the pollen is so thick it is running down the flower in the light rain.
I finally decided to enter some photographs in the games and they were ordered and delivered this week, both bird shots taken in our yard. I'm happy about that, keeping it local. This little Song Sparrow has been in the hedges or on the growing plants for over a week, singing like crazy.
That day before we met our new neighbors who just bought the house behind ours that has been for sale for a while. It will be more of a weekend home for them because they aren't all that far, living in an Atlanta suburb. Of all things, she manages a pickleball/tennis club there!! We hit it off right away and who is surprised that when we went out to lunch they were at the restaurant! It was totally unplanned but we shared a meal and it was delightful. His mother was along for the fun.
More new plants from the farmer's market for us including this Jacob's Ladder plant that is doing so well.
I also bought some vegetable plants for their beauty, neither of which we normally eat. Mustard green on the left and a Peppermint Swiss chard on the right.
Don't they have such great leaves?
There were two very old Rhododendron plants in the yard when we moved in and they are just beginning their bloom cycle. BTW, on May 3 it will be two years!! Two wonderful years I might add.
What a color, right? Another old and leggy plant is the azalea plant on the shady side of the house that has also just begun blooming. The color is outstanding!
Most of us grew up with the saying April showers bring May flowers, but until the last few days, showers have been few and far between, however, this week might be the week to break the drought as it is meant to rain very frequently, including on Saturday when the big Spring Fling is planned for downtown. I sure hope the weather is clear for the vendors and also our ladies group who are planning on having a booth with popcorn and face painting. I'll let you know.
A broken record; that's what I probably sound like when I exclaim over the abundance of flowers, but seriously, I am not exaggerating. Jason has a Snowball viburnum in bloom with both pink and white flowers, more flowers than one can count.
Here's a close up.
Exquisite!
The garden is coming along, teaching me patience each and every day.
As you might notice, there are marigolds planted all over the place as they are meant to ward off bugs. I planted sets of them between the roses as well, and we shall see how it works. I have baby broccoli heads forming, we have been eating romaine lettuce like mad, and the cabbages are forming. All very exciting indeed, but never think for one moment that everything turns out perfectly. I finally gave in and pulled all of the radish plants because I knew in my heart there were no radishes, only foliage.
My mistake, or so I think, is not thinning them out early because the plants were so close together, bulbs could not form. I did plant more seeds at least a week ago, so perhaps round two will be a winner. And then again, maybe not!
All kinds of good things are happening but sadly one unexpected thing has popped up. Last Tuesday I was counting the offering at church when Bruce sent me a message that Pastor Wil wanted to meet us at our home around noon. His thought was that he was going to ask us to take on a project so when he told us he was leaving Murphy, along with his wonderful family, we were speechless.
He has been transferred to Waynesville, which while it is a big loss for our congregation, a big blessing for theirs. Plus, Lea's parents live there, so they will finally be able to spend time with their grandchildren. He was the kind of leader who never asked you to do more than he would. It's been a week now that we have known, but so far it is not getting any easier to accept! That said, we will. He will be here for six or so more weeks so we have time to get used to the idea before a new pastor arrives. Big shoes to fill and I don't just mean physically!
Although Bruce went to the school to spend time with Grayson, he was not able to see him because they were in testing mode. Instead we did some leisurely errands. While driving I could not help but be struck by GREEN everywhere, including all of the mountains, most of which were all brown only a month ago.
It's so thrilling.
My heart is full despite our disappointment. It's a case of turning a frown upside down isn't it? Selfishly we want Pastor Wil to stay, but what we should be focusing on is his and Lea, Norah and Nathaniel's opportunities ahead.
Yea, that's the ticket.
your friend,
Gail
