Garden Bloggers Bloom Day ~ August, 2012

Mexican Sunflowers are this year's favorite new addition. An outrageously orange annual, planted by seed, in an old whiskey barrel on the deck.

They say it's going to rain. But, it never does. And, the stark contrast between the two halves of my property is very sad, indeed.

Phlox pretties up a sad sack pack of tired blue Delphiniums.

Haven't the heart to show pictures of the back half of the yard. The dry brown area that relies on rainfall which never comes.

Heavenly Blues

I automated everything in the lucky half of the yard. An in-ground sprinkler system plus timers on the deck, and timers in the veggie garden, too.

My previously 'Always Thirsty' flower patch is quite delighted to no longer have to rely on the slacker gardener [that would be me] turning on the hose.

Sweet Pea Climbing Vines

With all that wonderful, consistent water to get new perennials off to a strong start... I decided that this should be the year of the climbing vines.

Giganto Wisteria

I'm gaga over the delicate pink color of these dainty Sweet Peas and those Morning Glories [above] ~ Oh, my! What a stunning sky blue...

I gambled on a cold hardy Kiwi Vine (zone 5 ~ Do you believe it will survive? I'm skeptical.) Plus, 3 bright orange trumpet vines, 4 purple Clematis climbing vines.

And! One vine to rule them all... 

A Wisteria! She's grown 15 feet in her first summer. Once she reaches the roof, I'll be training her to wrap around the room addition. Truth be told, I've killed more Wisteria than any other gardener on the planet. But, I have high hopes for the Missus. She seems to really like it here.

Pop over and say hi to Carol @ May Dream Gardens, Creator of the Bloom Day Meme.

Here's a whole bunch of bright August bloomers, photographed early this morning while in my jammies. (The new neighbors are never too appreciative of that stuff.. but they have learned to look the other way.)

Chief Joseph Trail Ride

Into the wild...

"Next year? Will you be back next year...?"

People kept asking as we all ~ wistfully ~ said good-bye.

Yours Truly riding my horse, Sable, with Kirk and Snuffy.

 This was a reunion, of sorts. 175 lovers of spotted horses converged on Yellowstone National Park for the annual Chief Joseph Trail Ride. The only horses allowed on this ride are registered American Appaloosas.*

Janet and Phantom posing in front of the giant buffalo herd.

For the first time, in 26 years, and probably the last time, ever, the National Park Service invited us to ride through Yellowstone's stunning back country, along the historic Nez Perce Trail. Where we encountered a 500+ herd of wild buffalo.

I always put my hands on my hips when I haven't the faintest idea what I'm doing. Gives folks the impression I do! :)

What an amazing experience! Had to giggle a bit when we came back out on the busy road and saw tourists gleefully photographing one lonesome buffalo. I didn't have the heart to tell them what they were missing.

Seriously? You don't have a valet to carry this bag?

I didn't photograph buffalo at all, because I don't care about them. I think the National Park Service should invite Wild Mustangs to graze on these hallowed grounds. Wouldn't that be a sight to behold?

Me, again, early morning water crossing. I had no idea 4 a.m. existed until this trail ride.

It was not an easy ride. They never are. We covered 100 miles in 5 short days along the historic route traveled by the Nez Perce Native American tribe.

Of course, no one bothered to tell me, or Janet, that we had to be fed, packed, saddled and ready before the sun came up. (If they had, it's doubtful we'd have gone!)

Wild Fireweed

I'm not very good at photographing people. I spent my long days in the saddle capturing Yellowstone's amazing wildflowers.

Wild Gentian

* It takes 13 years to complete the Chief Joseph Trail Ride, spanning western wilderness from Oregon to 40 miles shy of the Canadian border, where this band of Native Americans was forced to surrender to the US Calvary.

** The Nez Perce Native Americans bred these stunning spotted horses for agility and endurance.

A Hope and A Prayer

 I was invited, by Lesley, of Merlin's Garden, to participate in the Hope Relay ~ Below is a 'hope' that is near and dear to my heart. I'm passing the HOPE BATON to Deb, Lona, Rose and Marguerite.

2 Fave Annuals! Heavenly Blue Morning Glories and Mexican Sunflowers

 Back in 2002, I spotted the fixer upper home I currently live in, grimaced at the sight of it, quickly turned my back on the house itself, and salivated over it's mountain view. Sold. A big house 'cause I had big plans.

I promptly split the home in half, turning the street level portion of this house into a 3 bedroom apartment. There are lots of ways to get ahead in the world and one of the most delightful revelations (for me) came with the knowledge that quite a few people prefer to rent vs. own. Apparently, home ownership is a lot of responsibility. So, why not let some of those renters pay for my mortgage?
 

Ornamental Sweet Peas ~ another favorite annual.

Up went the 'For Rent' sign and minutes later came a knock on the door. A Mexican family interested in renting the apartment. Truth be told, I didn't want them in my house because of a slight, prejudicial feeling, born of ignorance, based on broad generalizations, that have long since died.

They were very shy. The nicest couple I'd ever met. It took just a moment to see myself in them. To see that they were acting this way, preparing for rejection, prejudice and meanness, just like I did when I arrived in this town, hoping to start a new life.

You see, if you get right down to it, we're all minorities in one way, or another.

This could bore you to tears but it's got me pretty excited. The 1st squirrel ever to live on my property.

I was a Single Mom. Recruited out to Utah for a high buck job and quite delighted with my new, hefty salary. Right up until I started searching for a house to rent ~ for myself and my daughter ~ and was blindsided by this: "You're not married?" All three potential landlords asked. The worst one had the audacity to say: "Oh, I'm not gonna get into this. That's just a problem waiting to happen. Drunk boyfriends busting up the place..."

I'll never forget that. They probably won't either. Seeing as how I sued them.

That's the encounter that changed me. For better, or worse. Made me think long and hard about that old adage: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. And, how asinine that saying really is.

Words cut like a knife. They tear at the inner fabric of your being, leaving deep scars that never fully heal.

Big, big Sandhill Cranes hang out by the garage every afternoon. They like to terrorize my dog...

I always wondered why 'My Mexicans' stayed so long. Ten years in the same apartment? Surely they must be sick of me by now. Clearly they could afford a nicer place. Or, leave altogether. Weary of the oppressive hatred in this hypocritical town.

One day wonders: Mexican Shellflowers (a very tender annual) bloom, then whither, in 24 hours.

And then, last autumn, a minor incident happened that made it all come clear: I offer them something that is strangely hard to come by: Respect.

The kids knocked on my door, crying. Mom was with them, crying, too. Her husband was out of town. They'd been to the elementary school, re-enrolling for classes, at the same school these 2 cute kids had attended for the last 5 years. I knew this was happening because the kids had been chattering about it for weeks. Super excited to be heading back to school. But, when they got there, they'd been turned away, sent home to gather all sorts of paperwork to 'prove' they should be allowed to attend this school. The school where every teacher already knew their names. 

Necessary? I'm not so sure. So, I took them back to the school to see for myself. And, me being white and all, nobody looked at the paperwork they had previously demanded. Not even the principal when I refused to leave until I met with him.

He told me that everything was in order and that there was nothing more for us to discuss. "Oh, there is one more thing," I said.

"I'd like to know how many white kids had to jump through this hoop."

It's a jungle out here! Moppy head Bee Balm, Helianthus and Catmint.

So, we fixed the problem. But, we didn't fix the hurt. Of being singled out. Diminished in front of their peers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My HOPE is that, somehow, some way, we all figure out how to lighten up. To live and let live. To stop blaming all the ills of the world on people who simply want to better themselves and will put up with all kinds of abuse on their quest to accomplish just that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, I apologize for a such a long and dreary post. But, if you took the time to read this, perhaps you gleaned a little something from it. Because this is a country filled with minorities of one sort, or another. We can add the term 'Loser' to the title Single Mom. We can accuse gays of destroying family values, when all they really want to do is marry the one they love. We can blame immigrants for ruining America, when in reality they are the only people who still believe in the American Dream.

And, when it comes to changing these archaic notions? We can all do nothing equally well.

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To meet the originator of Hope 2012, please click here. To read Lesley's great perspective on Hope in the Garden, click here.

Heads Up for the Hope Relay

 Since picking up Lesley's email, I have been thinking, pretty much non-stop, about 'Hope.' What Hope means to me, and what perspective I might have on such a crucial bit of subject matter. And, may I just say...? It's harder than it sounds!

Passing the Hope Baton to Marguerite.

Inspired by the Summer Olympics, Lesley, of Merlin's Garden, has invited me to participate in this wonderful meme: The Hope Relay.

Passing the Hope Baton to Lona.

The rules of the game are simple: 
We offer our readers our own personal take on Hope and then we pass the baton to other bloggers, inviting them to do the same thing.

Passing the Hope Baton to Rose.

The timing is pretty tight: 
If you'd like to participate, you'll need to publish your Hope Post by August 12th.

Passing the Hope Baton to Deborah.

In light of this tight timing, I'm twisting the rules just slightly. (Who, me? Stir up trouble?? Never!) I'm inviting you to join this relay before I've posted my own writing about Hope because I needed a few days to ponder this subject and perhaps you will, too.

I hope you have time to join in the fun. To meet the originator of Hope 2012, please click here. To read Lesley's great perspective on Hope in the Garden, click here.

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The Big Rock Garden

Up at dawn on this picture perfect mountain morning, blissfully working in the Big Rock Garden.

 Named as such for a boulder the size of a Jeep Wrangler ~ hidden amongst a field of waterwise perennials.

 Butterflies and Bumbles flit about the flowers. A tiny green Hummingbird dives in for a quick bite.. then jettisons off to the next diner, just a little ways down the road.

I like to work out there, very early, because my quiet street is now a busy thoroughfare and ~ once the rest of the world wakes up ~ it's too crowded for my comfort zone. I feel like one of those garden ornaments, pointing my big arse toward the passers by.

I was cutting a swath down the center of this huge perennial garden because the poor devils are besot with weeds. And, it's an overwhelming chore, so I like to chop it into manageable bits, with a definite beginning and end to the project.

There's nothing much to this garden. Filled with your basic 'workhorse' perennials like this Johnson's Blue Geranium that flowers all summer long.

All the while I was out there I kept thinking about how I need to return a half dozen phone calls to people who need to talk things over.

Are you a do-er? Or, a talker?

Most folks sit somewhere in the middle. I'm planted firmly in the do-er category. With a paper thin layer of patience for the other half who have cleverly figured out that talking things over is an ideal way to postpone pretty much anything that needs to get done.

Or, do they talk because they're hoping someone else will make the decision for them? I've perfected the art of shrugging my shoulders and saying: dang'd if I know.

Hummingbirds go ga-ga over the Honeysuckle vines.

Re-hashing old subject matter absolutely wears me out. I've always felt this lack of patience is one of my biggest faults. But, I have plenty more...

Running a close second? How I'm pretty much always on time to anywhere I'm supposed to be. Like right now, for instance, when I was all packed up & ready to go! At exactly high noon, for our much anticipated road trip to Yellowstone. Here it is 1:45 and I'm still waiting for my ride to show up.

Don't ya just hate that?

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ July, 2012

Glads, happily blooming in an old whiskey barrel, on the deck.

As I peck away, on my computer keyboard, I hear the soothing sound of rain drops outside my open window.

Just a sprinkle. This, on the heels of 2 consecutive, afternoon rains has me hopeful the tide has turned.

Clematis drape across the other side of the deck.

By all outward appearances, it has not been a good summer.

Oppressive heat, our western landscape so deadly dry... We went for 37 days without a drop of rain.

And, then. A rash of scary wildfires. Too close for comfort.

The wind carried ash in the breezes and left a reminder of this danger, as a layer of dust in the garden.

Sky Blue Flax, a volunteer wildflower, makes her home in the raised veggie bed.

Been using that as an excuse not to work out there.

The smoke. The heat. The... oh, give me a second and I'll come up with another excuse..

Penstemon, Primrose, & Geraniums

Instead, we've been saddling up the horses and combing the trails in search of wildflowers. (Like that's a cooler past time than pulling weeds in the hot, hot sun? Oh heck no! But, infinitely more enjoyable.)

I've been calling this my non-gardening year.

And, it's all because of.... a brand, spankin' new drip irrigation system!

Every single summer day, schlepping hoses dominated my life. Moving sprinklers, to and fro, caring for my flowers.

This year, I threw in that proverbial towel and automated the joint.

Catmint & Valerian

Oh! Joy! Free Time???

Plentiful designer weeds

I had never tallied up the number of hours I spent watering the gardens until I no longer had to do so.

In fact, I never really minded, since I love putzing with my flowers. But, it's given me the freedom to experiment with all kinds of precious posies I shied away from in previous years.

So, there ya have it. I've been a lazy gardener. And, a lazy garden blogger. Heck, I've been such a slacker I forgot to celebrate my 6th blogoversary (May, 2012.)

But it's been a glorious summer.

Here's hoping you're having a wonderful growing season, too.

Happy Bloom Day, Everyone!

Pay a visit to Carol @ May Dream Gardens to visit more flower lovers for this Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day monthly meme.

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Orange Crush

My 'bottle rockets' are happily celebrating the 4th of July.

I've always had a mad crush on the color orange. Can't, for the life of me, figure out why it's considered the 'color of insanity.'

Whaddyathink? Do you love it? Hate it? However you feel about orange, I'm sure you'll agree on one thing. Orange simply cannot be ignored.

I purchased a gorgeous orange dress one time. Back when I was skinny so I could wear pretty much anything. Except, maybe, that.

Whenever I wore it, people would ask me if I was feeling okay. Hmmm...

So, clearly orange is not my color. At least not on the bod.

But, that hasn't stopped me from squeezing it into every nook and cranny.. in the garden:



Here's hoping you're having a wonderfully lazy time of it during this holiday week. Happy 4th!

Sizzlin'

Re-blooming Orchid and Super Summery Toenails!

 Would you like a flower on your big toe?

That would be lovely, I mumbled. As I slipped into a happy coma at the Tip & Toe. In their cushy leather massage chair while my tootsies were tubbed and scrubbed, polished and painted, brought back to life after a solid month of heavy duty landscaping. In sandals.

Hot Cha Cha Roses

 This is all new to me. Being pretty and stuff. On my May trip to New Mexico, my girlfriends were appalled at my broken, dirty fingernails. (Hey. I work garden for a living.) And, whisked me off to USA Nails for a complete overhaul. I loved the results. First time in years I wasn't embarrassed of my hands.

Perennial Snapdragons

 When I was back down in New Mexico last week, I tried to get a touch up but nobody had time to squeeze me in. Of course, I'll never go back there now that I've discovered the Tip & Toe. Because they've got these comfy leather chairs...

Lilies

 It is hot. Miserably hot. And, dry. Blustery winds batter the garden. There's a weird yellow tint to the sky, perhaps from the wildfires burning out of control a little bit south of me. The smell of smoke fills the air.

Plus, things keep going wrong.

Which is why I decided to escape for awhile. To the bliss of a nail salon where nobody speaks English. At least, not very well.

On Monday, I lost my camera. Which is never a good thing but a huge tragedy, this time, since it contained pictures of the most remarkable petroglyphs I'd ever encountered. While horseback riding in a remote back country area somewhere in the middle of New Mexico.

On Tuesday, a friend asked for a shockingly big favor. To borrow a whole bunch o' money. Has this ever happened to you? And, how do you handle it? I said no but I've felt sad and guilty ever since.

And, then! The coup de gras. Some dirty rotten scoundrel stole my scooter. Isn't that just rude? (Salt Lake City friends, please keep an eye out for my beloved Scooty. License # A54CM Honda Metro.)

But, there is an upside to every miserable situation. It's not like anything else could go wrong since everything already has. And, the temperatures are guaranteed to cool down. I mean, winter will show up at some point, won't it?

Plus, I have Tivo. And, central air. So, I could hide out, indoors, with the a/c blasting for weeks, if I wanted need to.

Here's hoping you're all having a joyfully uncomplicated week. :)

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