This morning the fountain-cleaner Bill did his good work scrubbing and flushing out my fountain, and then left it empty and turned off. I am traveling a lot in the next month and don’t want it to become a swamp while I’m gone.
The garden is looking pretty good right now because it’s entering the flowery time of year, and because I’ve had several days to focus on it, to be out there noticing not just little weeds that are easily pulled out of mulch, but this and that glorious scent and sight.
On my neighborhood walks, too, I’m spying perfection of Japanese maples…
…and at church, just look at the wisteria! I could only fit about half of its span in the frame:
Springtime is downright boggling, to the mind and the heart.
During the few days that were cloudy and gloomy, I washed the dirt from my hands and put them into the sourdough. My recent loaf is very tasty, but it would not rise — well, not much. After several hours I gave up and hoped for oven spring, which did not happen. So I got this stunted result, shown after I had sliced it to store in the freezer, so I can take out one slice (2 1/4 inch tall) at a time.
Soon I was back outside again, planting three butternut squash starts and a Juliet tomato plant in the planter boxes. There is no frost in the forecast, and I will soon be gone to Wisconsin for a while, for the first of the grandchild weddings. My original plan was to just wait until mid-May this year to plant summer vegetables, but it seems worth the risk at this point to get them in sooner.
We Orthodox are entering Holy Week on Sunday. I will be away from my parish for most of it, and through Bright Week, and away from my home and garden, so any real-time reports I might have time for will be field reports, or travelogues. For now, I’m soaking up all the familiar and beloved elements of my world to fortify myself against the asphalt and airports that lie between me and daughter Pearl’s garden. Once I arrive there, I will be well nourished by hugs and kisses from a dozen or more family members, and won’t even think of my lemon tree or coral bells back here.
But not quite yet! When I noticed the bee with its head in the lithodora (picture at top), I was mostly looking at the Blue-eyed Grass nearby. It is so sweet it breaks my heart.
Gladsome Lights 
Beautiful garden, Joanna. I wish mine is clean and weedless like yours. Does mulch really help with weeds? I may not be doing it right because weeds kept coming back year after year!
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Gretchen Joanna, I just love this post. It’s been a while since visiting you here, and as I look at the view of your garden from the window, I remember when you first started this garden with small-ish plants and now look! Such beauty! Your spring is far advanced from mine and it’s just so fun to see. OH MY! That wisteria! Right now I’m enjoying the last of the daffodils and some tulips that are just starting to bloom along with grape hiacinth. Oh, and how could I forget–green grass with dandelions (the bees first food). Sending love and blessings for your trip to your loved ones and a wedding. How lovely.
~Jody
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Wisconsin! After ten years here, I’m noticing that I’ve completely dropped the habit of slamming on the brakes the second I see a yellow light – a consequence of all the red-light cameras and shortened yellow lights (some to the point of being illegal) in Chicago! Sometimes it feels like I’m not quite from anywhere; at the same time, two of my children were born here and two more don’t have any memory of not living here, so it’s not like we’re completely transitory here either. My tulips are just starting to bloom; I’m happy to see that, especially since the past two years, they were ravaged by critters (last year, there was a single tulip, despite there having been 30+ plants). I hope your travels out this way are safe and happy!
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Your garden is looking lovely. The clumps of Blue-eyed Grass are so pretty.
I hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip to your grandchild’s wedding.
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A grandchild’s wedding: how special – and worth the trip. Your garden is looking lovely and you have given me a timely reminder to scrub my bird baths!
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What a lovely view from your bedroom window of your garden. Good idea to keep the fountain dry till you return. That wisteria is amazing! Enjoy all the festivities and family time while you are away.
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This is beyond beautiful — how I would love wake every day and see that beautiful garden view. And everything is coming on so well! I wish you safe travels, no delays and a wonderful time at the wedding. How could it be anything but?
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I’m sure your bee friend will take care of your garden, so you can enjoy your travels in peace.
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Your garden is lovely. I can imagine working there with some of my freelance gigs. I’ll be more productive for sure.
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The view from your window, and your garden is glorious. I’ve lived in Northern California several years. My daughter was born in Placerville.
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What a great view out your window and down onto a beautifully designed garden. I love how the shrubby growth is filling in and the hint of color bursts to come.
That wisteria at church — WOW. Cannot imagine how lovely its fragrance in person.
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Beautiful garden! Juliet is my favorite tomato, but I couldn’t get any this year. Think I waited about a week too long, the pickings were slim at the garden center. Love that wisteria!
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Your garden is so lovely, Gretchen. I think May is when gardens take on that heavenly feel for sure. Blessings to you on your travels!
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