The Peace of Flowers, Trees, and Cows

Just received -- thank you, Shawn!

The Peace of Flower, Cow, and Tree by S. Bilodeau
(Thank you to Vicki Lane for the inspiration.)

Do you remember? Days long gone and years ago? Do you remember? Did you know?

The wild time that flowers knew. The time when old was fresh and new.

The wander time for brave aurochs. The time before fence and locks.

The sylvan time of peace and ease. The time of quiet between all and trees.

Trees still root. They still stand. But just to mark between land and land.

They were aurochs then. But now? They’ve lost that name, become just ‘cow.’

Flowers bud, and flowers bloom. But just to die and dress a room.

Time still ticks, and like the river, flows. Years they come and years they go.

What once was, again can be. To find peace for flower, cow, and tree?

Progress

Most of the Siberian Iris is out and replaced by hardy (one hopes) herbs.

Bee balm, variegated sage, Hidcote lavender, tarragon, and lemon thyme.

And two more buckets full of the irises -- waiting for another day and another location.

A Waterfall by The Stairs of Doom

The Siberian Iris in the little bed in front of the greenhouse have been in dire need of thinning and transplanting for several years now.  What with one thing and another, I'm only now getting to it.

But the good news is that a year ago, I wasn't strong enough to even think about hoicking the thick mats of iris. Thanks to my strict regime of occupational therapy with Josie, now I can do it. Not quickly, but I can do it. I spent part of a day getting out two five gallon buckets full and gave them to Justin to plant down in their yard. Yesterday I went at it again.

But first I prepared a place to plant them. The Stairs of Doom, as a friend named them (for the perilous nature of the uneven steps and steep descent) are just beside our front porch. How pretty, I thought, if there were a cascade of Siberian Iris flanking them.

And lo! it came to pass! My gardener's eye sees ahead to a future spring when the deep purple of the iris will look like a waterfall beside the steps.

I've only dug up about half of the iris. But I have plans for the rest. And plans for the bed where they were.

Just a few more days of sweaty labor . . .

Moonflowers At Last!

Like the Passionflower, Moonflowers are another first for me. I started the seeds months ago, when I started some Morning Glory seeds.  

The Morning Glories have been blooming like mad for weeks but the Moonflowers, while making nice vines, have been slow to blossom.

I've been keeping an anxious eye on the few buds that have manifested and was finally rewarded with two nice flowers yesterday afternoon.

They have a lovely silken look . . .

And a pleasant fragrance . . .

A most elegant flower -- worth the wait!

Josie Shows You the Best Way to Eat Watermelon

Josie Entertains the Old Folks

On a Beautiful Summer Day

The Gran House

Once again we are looking for new tenants for The Gran House. As I wandered through it, taking pictures to accompany an ad, I remembered all the people the house has sheltered.

It was built in 1987 for my mother-in-law who was an invalid. Emphysema and osteoporosis had made it necessary that she not live alone and we were able to find a rotating core of caregivers for her-- while our boys and their cousin spent the night there in case she needed anything.  

She had a good time choosing the flower painted tiles in the kitchen and seeing her beloved shell collection installed in the front room.  Thanksgiving and Christmas were celebrated here .

Since her death we've had a succession of tenants -- my sister-in-law Fay and her children, our son Ethan and his wife, the baby hippies (as we called them) who made marbleized fabric in the basement, several families with children, various couples, some of whom were looking for a permanent home elsewhere and. most recently, staff members of a nearby boarding school.

We've been fortunate in our renters -- no horror stories, thank goodness. Someday Ethan and Aileen hope to return but till then, we'll be hoping for some more good tenants to add to the history of The Gran House. 

(This is what I'm saying in my ad -- if it sounds idyllic, it's because it is.)

The Gran House was built in 1987 and is nestled amid the fields and woods of our hundred acre family farm.  The house boasts a spacious kitchen and dining area with an adjoining laundry room.

The dining area -- big enough for a large family table -- opens into the living room with its cathedral ceiling, bookshelves, stone fireplace, and French doors to the deck behind the house. There is a second room (perfect as a family room, media center, or office) with a door to the front porch where a porch swing and rocking chairs invite you to sit and watch the sunrise. 

The master bedroom on the main floor has a walk-in closet and its own bath. There is a second bedroom and another bath. Upstairs is a large space which can be used as one or two bedrooms, a studio, an office, an exercise room or . . .?

The Gran House is twenty minutes away from Marshall, forty-five minutes from downtown Asheville. The school bus stops at our mailbox -- a quarter of a mile down the driveway. The house is heated with propane, supplied with well water, and there is A/C. An inground propane tank serves heater, stove, and hot water tank. The rent includes basic lawn care. High speed internet is available. We are two miles from the Barnard bridge -- the put in spot for white water paddling on the French Broad. The farm itself supplies hiking and birdwatching opportunities. Garden space is available, as is space to keep chickens (if you supply the coop.)

Pets are welcome as long as they are compatible with farm life -- there are cows and chickens -- and with the various dogs and cats in our secluded cove. No smoking permitted in the house.

For more information, contact Vicki at vicki3lane@gmailDOTcom

Second Childhood ?

I've had this little castle, the work of the late David Renfroe, a local potter, for about forty years. It stayed in the green house for a long time but a few years ago I took it outside and set it amidst the crepe myrtle trunks in our entryway garden. 

Recently I was moved to add stepping stones. And yesterday when I went to Reems Creek Valley Nursery for some mums to set out and a Japanese Anemone, I found myself shopping for something tiny to plant alongside the little walkway. That little fluffy green cushion to the right is the result.

Now I find myself contemplating the logistics of making a minute twig bench . . .

And I'm reminded of a Mary Poppins story of a tiny park within a normal park. And of The Borrowers, another of my favorite children's books. I look forward to reading both to Josie someday. 

I'll let her discover the little castle on her own.

Earlyish

The sun was emerging from the mist to light up the mountainside.

Spiders have been busy.

Morning glories hold the light.

A perfect spiral, web-embellished.

I've decided the passion flowers are somehow steam-punkish.

Don't as me why.

A passion flower fruit AKA a maypop. They are edible and I look forward to tasting it when it's ripe.