it has been a dry fall, and the black gums and early maples are justbeginning to turn color. the trees have suffered from the dry july andaugust heat spell. some mid-aged red oaks look dead- leaves going fromgreen to brown in a week. a few showers along have kept the yard niceand the bonsai happy, but the main show in my yard right now is a hugebed of 7' tall swamp sunflowers. the multiple small … [Read more...] about lapis sky / shocking yellow / heliopsis!
another comment that grew
a brief dialog like this one between ilona and me on the blog comment page is bigger than a txt or twitter, and smaller than an email, a letter or-gasp-a phonecall. really it has already been happening, right before our "screen-tired" eyes. it's the end of the world of communication as we knew it. we have really lost our way, i think. if we must speak of hoping for "meaningful social … [Read more...] about another comment that grew
HOT!!
i have been AWOL as well for awhile. wish i could say it is housecleaning, but living alone does have its merits. i would rather dig a hole than run a vacuum cleaner! my sandy driveway continues its slow migration into the kitchen. visitors and my old dogs don't help... it has been up in the 90's, with many stormy afternoons. we do need the rain, but the grass is very tall, and my 4-legged … [Read more...] about HOT!!
my gardening grandmother
greetings all-i have not vanished, as evident by my continuing comments. i'vebeen preoccupied with poetry, and i'm also working on my gardeninggrandmother's life story. she was totally self-taught, yet beautifullylandscaped their farm and 20 acres of grounds during the 40"s and 50's.i have fond memories of the many liriope-lined paths under tall pines,the grassy nooks with statues, her formal rose … [Read more...] about my gardening grandmother
early bloomers
here in the ga. piedmont, we are in the full flush of spring; the many sweet smellsof a dixie springtime are almost overwhelming in the still night air. a huge wisteriavine climbs into my old magnolia tree; they seem to co-exist well, and i haventgot the heart to do the "right"thing, which would be cutting the vines out of the tree[ it would take a bucket truck, anyway]i am a laissez-faire … [Read more...] about early bloomers
small encouragements
the snow vanished quick as i said. today, a warm sunrise and thawing ground have turnedmy thoughts to arriving spring. after living in this place so many years, the signs of changing seasons stand out to me bright as as neon sign. we all receive our little messages of ourseasonal changes. it would be interesting to know them, wherever you are...gardeners and farmers can read them best, i … [Read more...] about small encouragements
snow day in georgia
we got snow here in the middle south, from noon til just after dark.small flakes fell hard and fast all day, so similar to the hard rains wehave been getting regularly this fall and winter. this winter storm dippedway down south to savannah; i also heard there were brief snow showersin tallahassee, on down to the coast. i think snow on a florida beach wouldbe a photographic wonder! i took a walk … [Read more...] about snow day in georgia
Christmas day
after a night of chill, 50 degree rain, today there is clear golden morning light.when i got in firewood, it was almost pleasant outside, so i skipped my earlycoffee/computer rituals and went for a walk with my horse. i have been tryingto comfort rosa with long grooming sessions. for years, i was a massage therapistand touch is one of the most healing thing for fright and pain. horse-buddies … [Read more...] about Christmas day
– writing out the hurt –
"telling the story" is an age-old human habit that helps diffuse theintensity of the experience and process the pain... writing about thisterrible accident has been very helpful to me. the kind and sympatheticmessages from the e- community, as well. i have had good help frommy friends and family, and many horse owners in this area have foundtime to stop and speak to me... often people i dont even … [Read more...] about – writing out the hurt –
season’s greetings from patagonia
we had our first hard frost this week- 27 degrees - being from ohio, i sometimes laughat myself, but it felt really cold! chalk it up to almost 30 years in the south, and thisdrafty old house with its skating-rink floor. it is old-house-chill as well as a certain colordullness outdoors that confirms winter is settling in. i gain new arm strength, as theoccasional fires become a daily ritual. … [Read more...] about season’s greetings from patagonia
poem “gratitude”
for the gift of a long and adventurous lifeand the wisdom learned with each mistake.for the gift of my son, as he onward makeshis way, finds love,and his future wife.for the gift of health, despite aches and pains.the body's wear and tear effectsare worse from years of some neglect.yet i've made it through, with much to gain.for happiness in these later yearsfor joy and laughter, and the tears.for … [Read more...] about poem “gratitude”
fire in the sky
it has been clear and sunny for the last several days here in georgia. i knew thatthe Leonid meteor shower was one of the best sky shows of the year. at 10 pm,the sky was cloudless, and i was determined to get up and sit in the yardto watch the eastern sky before dawn. i am very lucky to have a good sky, hereon the farm, for viewing the moon and stars....over the broad eastern pastures,and to … [Read more...] about fire in the sky