Desperately Seeking Carol

Do you remember that '80's/'90's movie:  Desperately Seeking Susan?  Well, I know it was about a girl looking for a girl she saw or thought she saw or something like that.  I am in search of myself.  I need to make some time for myself without feeling like I am slighting someone else in the process.  How does one do that?

I've spent the better part of the last week stealing moments with my dear mother.  Lunch here, shopping there.  She leaves for Georgia in the morning.  I will see her again soon and will start thinking of when I will make my next journey there.  I've seen her more in the past few months than I have in recent years....her trip here at Christmas, my surprise visit to GA in February for her birthday, and her "tax trip" here this past week.  I know I will be in ATL in October for the Country Living Fair, but will make it up there long before that, I'm sure.  Thank you, Mom, for still being my mom.  Even at 48, I feel like a little girl sometimes who longs for her "mommy."  Maybe we never outgrow that.  I know I am blessed to have you. 

My Aunt Claire came over from the west coast this past weekend too.  I was so happy to see her and will have to make the 3 hour drive to see her new haven.  Lake Susie....how "dreamy" does that sound??

I am feeling taken advantage of, of late.  I need to get a grip on that and find time for me.  I vow, this week, to take care of the things I feel I need to...feeding and bathing my sweet granddaughter, but maybe letting her daddy put her to bed as I venture out to the shop to work on a dresser a dear friend has entrusted in me.  Yes....that will make me feel that I am using my time wisely, accomplishing a goal, and doing what I love.  I longed for time in my garden this weekend, but did not find it....or make it.  At some point, I need to make time for me.

Maybe this week?  How do you steal moments for yourself?  I could really use your advise.....

End of Book Remorse

Do you know what I mean?  You spend time really enjoying a book......and then it is over?  That is where I am today.  I just finished And I Shall Have Some Peace There by Margaret Roach of A Way to Garden dot com.  I mention her and her site often.  If you garden at all, hers is a must read and visit site.  Even though I am in a Zone 10 garden and she in a Zone 5B (or A....can't recall at this moment), and our gardening is so very different, sometimes it really isn't.  I gleen tidbits here and there, and truly just enjoy the visit.  If you don't garden, just enjoy the beautiful pictures in her many slide shows.  Did I mention the wee bit of envy I have over how Ms. Roach escaped the big city to dwell in the country?  Her home and garden are her life's work now, and I find the idea of that absolutely wonderful and peaceful. 

Hopefully, you also saw her bird article in last Sunday's Parade.  There are so many of us bird lovers out there.  I know I do not take advantage of seeing and searching for the many different birds that are still in my neck of the woods.  But, if one more of my friends tell me a Painted Bunting visited their feeder.....!!!  I may have had a quick sighting of one last spring, but not the many that some of my friends get year after year. I must make my yard more inviting for them.

I failed to mention that I read Margaret's book on my NookColor.  If you have one, I encourage you to download it there as there are beautiful bonus pictures that the regular book does not have.  You will love them as much as I did, I know.  (I believe it is on the iPad version as well.)


"Did you ever just want to walk away?" asks Margaret Roach in her newest book. 

YES!

Late Irish Blessings to You

It is late on Thursday, March 17....St. Patrick's Day, that I finally have a few moments to finish a post I started earlier in the day.  It has been a pleasant and productive day at work.  After having been in my new job for a month now, I am feeling like one of the family.  This feels good.  And so....I will continue with my post....

With a maiden name of Schmitz, not many would ever know I have Irish blood in me.  I am proud to say that I do though.  Actually, more than I thought.  With a paternal grandmother whose name was Marie Madeline McQuillen, there is no denying it.  She was born in Canada, but her father and grandfather, both named Mathew McQuillen, were born in Ireland.  Even with my Ancestry.com research, I know not where in Ireland.  But I recently learned that my mother's kin...the Davis', were Irish too.  We always thought they were English.  So more Irish blood....  With green eyes and natural blond hair (at least it used to be) and fair to medium skin, I would appear to lean towards the Irish. (And a sweet granddaughter with big blue eyes and red hair!) That pleases me.  As proud as I am to call myself as one with Irish decent, I know the Irish were not looked upon too highly when they first came to America.  I will have to brush up on some historical facts before I misquote myself, but that does sadden me.  However, today I have enjoyed perusing some Irish blessings, toasts, sayings....  Here are a couple that I am particularly fond of:

Like the warmth of the sun

And the light of the day,

May the luck of the Irish

shine bright on your way.

and then there is...

May joy and peace surround you,

Contentment latch your door,

And happiness be with you now

And bless you evermore.

I know many are familiar with the "May the road rise up to meet you" blessing.  I enjoyed reading many others.  As the Irish have a history of being happy and mischievous, and sometimes inebriated....here is toast I thought was funny:

Here's to our wives and girlfriends:  May they never meet!

My work week is over.  It is Spring Break for our school district, so the 12-month employees work four 10-hour days.  Coupled with daylight savings time....it was torturous.  I'm glad to see the week come to a close. 

My mother is traveling from Georgia tomorrow (Friday) for a visit.  I am looking forward to seeing her.  She will enjoy seeing her great-granddaughter walking and talking up a storm!

I will start on a dresser that I am refinishing/painting for a friend.  I wish I could work as fast as Miss Mustard Seed, but I don't.  I know I take more time than is needed, but it is a labor of love. I will take pictures along the way to share. (She has finally revealed the secret paint....click the link to learn more.)

I got my Country Homes and Gardens magazine in the mail today.  I have been non-renewing all my magazines this year....boo hoo, but it is time to scale back financially and spatially.  However, I will renew this magazine as I love it so.  It only comes a few times a year.  I am enjoying a beautiful article on Tovah Martin and her Connecticut garden.  She lives in a converted barn!  How cool is that? It has low ceilings and windows that do not pose a problem for her as she is under 5 feet tall.  I did not know that.  And....she only gardens in vintage dresses and owns no jeans.  I like it!  Anyone who truly stays true to his or her own style appeals to me greatly. 

I invite you to enjoy the journey of one of my favorite blogs:  Stories from home by David Patterson.  He and his eldest son are in Ireland at this very moment....his original homeland....for St. Patty's Day.  He is an incredible photographer who lives with his family in Maine and the pictures coming from this trip so far are fabulous.  Please stop by and follow his journey.  You will not be disappointed.

I wish you all a wonderful night....be it with green beer (not for me, personally), corn beef and cabbage (again, no thank you), or just a quiet evening at the end of a long week.  I say to you....Erin go Bragh.  One interpretation of that phrase is "May I go back to Ireland forever."  

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.

May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.

May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue,

And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.   

P.S.  I am finally getting this post out as my computer kept losing its connection last night.  Talk about frustrating!!  I know we've all been there.  Happy Friday!!

White Wednesday ~ I Want to Play!

It's been 14 days since my last......post....almost said confession....a childhood flashback!  It is Ash Wednesday, after all.  Anywho......it's been just too long ago since I found (made?) the time to visit.  I am settling into my new job pretty well, I think, and have so incredibly much to learn.  I am eager to do it, which helps. 

White Wednesday is one of my favorite linky parties (along with Vintage Inspiration Friday), so I had to rumage through some of my pictures to find some whiteness to share.  In no apparent order.....



An odd entry, I know, but look at these
SWEET slipcovers!  Never would have thought
that one up on my own, but am loving it
(and needing it in my own vehicle).
If I brave this activity, you'll be the
first to know!

I love the hints of green in this lovely
white bedroom....and that ceiling - LOVE IT!
So peaceful...

These two pictures are of The White Garden at
Sissinhurst Castle in England.
I have gardening fever these days, so I took
a lovely stroll through this one today.

White clouds, white shirts....it qualifies!
My neice, Hannah, with Tim Tebow, taken
last week at the Honda Classic here in Palm Beach Gardens.
She is beaming!!!

Does black and white count??
That's me in the striped top and chubby cheeks
being held by my mom.  My dad and older
brother here too.  I'm guessing this is around
1966 or 67. It's one of my favorites
and I just had to share!

Hope to be back before another two weeks pass. I got the go-ahead to start a new garden in my backyard....can't wait to start planning and taking pictures!  I'm in the search of the PERFECT garden gate! Enjoy your Wednesday...

P.S.  Top two pictures from House Beautiful.

Books and Vintage Friday

I am SUCH a book hound.  I just can't help myself.  I would like to "blame" my mother, but that would have negative connotations, when I really mean, "Thank you, Mom, for sharing your love of books with me!!"  I just love them so.  So.....today I received my shipment from HomeStyle Book Club:  (Oh.......the JOY!!!)

I have done a cursory view of each and am LONGING for a day  (or more) to myself to devour, read, and savour EVERY WORD.... I am beyond happy.... I have no more words.....  (Christmas break is coming...almost 2 weeks off!!  Plenty of time for reading....I hope.)

For Debra's Common Ground ~ Vintage Inspiration Friday....I really love vintage everything.  However, today, these two pictures really spoke to me.  I know when a space works for me because I instantly feel calm.  Just looking at these two pictures brings calm to my mind and heart. 

I'm actually not one who usually like too much white.
I love color, HOWEVER, what I love, love, love
is that sink mounted in that beautiful antique dresser.
The different shades of whites and creams, and
the different textures bring enough interest to me
that I feel I could live with it.  BUT, don't you think
if the walls were painted the palest of greens, it
would be just perfect??  See....I can't help myself!

I could live here....year 'round...24/7.
If you need me, I'll be sitting in the wicker chair
enjoying a cup of tea and reading one of those
books listed above. 

Enjoy a most perfect weekend, my dear friends!!

Two bottom picture credits: 

Sink, etc.:  Robin Stubbert Photography via inspiracionline.blogspot.com

Garden sitting room:  homehousedesign.com

Book Giveaway and a Birthday!!

I have mentioned my favorite gardening blog A Way to Garden before.  Margaret Roach is giving away an advanced copy of her upcoming book and I shall have some peace there.  It is ON THE TOP of my must-read list.  I am hoping to win it, but won't dally at all in ordering it for myself.  Please pop on over, take a look, and enter.  The deadline is Saturday, December 11. 

On another note, we are enjoying some cold weather here in South Florida.  It was 46 degrees on my drive into work this morning.  So far I haven't had to cover my roses yet, but I am guessing I will before the end of winter.

And finally.....today is my Aunt Claire's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Aunt Claire!!!  I wish you a most special and blessed day!!!

I'm a Winner & 50th Post!!

I am the oh-so-very-proud winner of d.reyne's Over 200 Followers Give-Back!  I throw my hat in the ring for many of these very fun drawings, but have never won before.  So....what did I win?  Donna calls it Autumn Wonderment (sounds wonderful, don't you think?)  It is a tote filled with goodies, including a burlap pumpkin that I can't wait to see.  I will show you all the wonderful goodies soon.  How sweet of Donna Reyne to offer this gift as she has so much on her plate.  Please see my older post on her Tinker House and this post on the project she is working on at Horton's.  Really....where does she get the energy?  I'm sensing a shoe theme for the Christmas Open House.  Oh, how I love shoes....I will have to follow this one closely and I hope you all do also.  Many thanks to you again, Donna...for the give-back and for joining me as a follower. 

As for my weekend....it was a doozy!  I worked with two clients yesterday with my 9-month-old design assistant, Kloe Marie, in tow.  She was a trooper and is just an angel.  It went well at both appointments.  One client is a young family moving into an 80's house and trying to bring it up-to-date for their young family.  My second visit was with Susan Stokes.  See her previous project here.  Susan is getting married in January and she and her future hubby have decided to stay in her lovely water-front home and add an incredible master suite......complete with an awesome CLOSET!!!  Both projects have what I call  an Upscale Tropical look that is very popular here in South Florida.  I am honored to be working with both of these clients....who are also my friends.  They put a great deal of trust in me and I take that very seriously.  I will be sure to share pictures as both of these projects will be quite beautiful.

I did get a few minutes to run around the backyard this afternoon to take a few photos before the sun went down. 

The Dixie Chicks on their evening walk-about.
See the shed?  Can you envision my own version
of Tinker House here?  Oh....I can see it SO clearly!

Kloe chewing on her pink cowboy boot (every girl needs
a pair, right?), chickens and a dog in the mix.  My husband
has successfully acclimated all our pets to live as one.

This is the entrance into the coop.  See the beauty berry in
full color to the left?  Hanging just above...a gorgeous
chocolate mint in the basket.  We just got it today and it
smells delicious!

Our orchids are in full bloom.  That is Gracie in the background.

This is my husband's creation....appropriately named Wilson.
Levi, our beagle, in the background.

Spanish lavender and a trailing rosemary in one pot.
Scented geranium to the left.
Fall zinnia's in the ground on the right.

And finally, this is my 50th post here on this blogspot, including a few from my aim at this a few years ago.  In the grand scheme of what is going on in the blogosphere, I'm still an infant, but I feel that I am starting to grow and I find that mighty exciting. 

Sending a big, giant wish to all for an incredible week ahead!!

Tinker House by d.reyne

I have to share this with you.  One of my favorite blogs to follow ~~  d.reyne ~~  has posted her almost finished greenhouse she has dubbed "Tinker House."  Here are a few images, but really, you just have to pay her a visit.  And, to thank all who visit her and have become followers, she is offering a Give-Back as well.  It is her way of saying thanks to the 200 followers she now has.  Wow!

But look......

What is very cool about this little building is that it was made completely of salvaged materials and found objects.  No trips to Home Depot (okay....maybe for nuts and bolts and nails).  Anyone who knows me will agree this is definitely A Bird in Hand-style as well.  I have sent many pictures of the many stages of this project to my darling husband sweetly suggesting that a little addition to our cottage-style shed would be just the coolest...ala Tinker House-style.  I can even get my hands on a very cool barn door.....hint-hint, deary. What I really want to know is how she hung the burlap drapes and will they get hung up each time she slides the doors open?

Really....I just can't get enough!  I'm thinking about making one of the pictures my screensaver just to drool over it some more.  (sigh......)

Seriously, though, you will not be disappointed in her entire blog.  Please scroll through old posts as well and see her studio.  It is luscious!  Oh....did I mention d.reyne writes TWO blogs??  Please see her work at Horton's of Tipton as well.  Talk about getting inspiration!

I see a road trip in my future!!  Care to join me?

Oh Happy Day!

I received the compliment of a lifetime today when I opened my email and saw that there was a comment to "moderate" from an older blog post.  My first thought was, "Hmm, how nice that someone was looking through my blog posts."  Truthfully, I haven't been a very good blog hostess lately.  In fact, I was thinking this past weekend when I was gardening (YES! I finally made it back out into my yard!) that I should take some pictures, and topics were flying around in my mind of subjects I could post about.  I was thinking for the thousandth time that my world has not truly been my own, of late, and how did I ever find time to do this blog thing to begin with?

On August 24, I posted a Quote of the Day.  It was "Do the best that you can in the place where you are and be kind." by Scott Nearing.  I had been searching quotes (it is a hobby, believe it or not).  I believe I put "quotes on finding peace" in my Google search.  Mr. Nearing's quote spoke to me.  I believe I was most likely pondering life in general and how my choices have brought me to this place where I am and how life does throw a curve ball every once in a while.  I was having a trying day and Mr. Nearing nudged me in the right direction....reminding me to do my best and to be kind.  I read that to mean be kind to myself as well. Yes, thank you, I will work on that.

The cause for comments came because I mentioned that I did not know who Mr. Nearing was or is.  My fellow blogger friend Lili from Fearless Nesting (a Mainer, no less!) let me know that he has ties to Maine and that I should check out his website.  I have forgotten to do that, but with another nudge....I am off to take a look at it next:  http://www.goodlife.org/.

Today, I received this:

Dear Carol,

Scott Nearing was a far sighted and brilliant man married to a woman of the same ilk, Helen Nearing. You need to read their books. Transplants to Maine who influenced countless life courses. They lived on Cape Rosier and I believe Eliot Coleman was influenced by them. Start out by reading The Good Life. They lived deliberately and taught others to do the same.

All joys to you,
Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

My second thought, after the one above, was "Hmmm, that name is familiar.  I like the entire title also.  I need to research her and send a thank you note."  So I did.  What I found myself saying next was "Oh....THAT Sharon Lovejoy!"  Then...."Oh my!  She wrote to me!  How did I ever get on her radar screen?  Oh my! Oh my!"  Yes.....it's true.  I sat here gushing about it for a little while.  I am humbled. I am honored.  And in my note to her I promised (sort of) that I would not fall all over myself with the gushing, but I fear that is just what I am doing, so.....

I just love when something new comes to my attention that reminds me of a few things; and when I say new, I also mean new again.  I had seen the articles about Ms. Lovejoy in Country Living.  That is where I first learned of her.  I have seen her books and will be adding "Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars" to my collection very soon because it is "Grandma's Bags of Tricks" and I love being a grandma more than just about anything!



My surprise visitor brought these thoughts to me this morning as well.  First that we are all connected in ways we do not realize.  She and I are fellow "followers" of three of the same blogs:  Fearless Nesting, Cat Crossing Farm, and 2 Bags Full.   I have read and love three of the same books she has listed as her favorites also:  "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society," "Grayson," and "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle."  I also was reminded that I am in the midst of a children's writing class and am sorely behind in my assignment.  There is much I can accomplish if I continue pursuing this endeavor.  Sharon Lovejoy is an accomplished writer, illustrator, and lecturer.  I will be happy accomplishing only the first of her three.

It is a small world.  We all are intrinsically linked.  Or is it that when we have like interests we are drawn into the same web?  I was reading our local newpaper yesterday and the travel section mentioned San Luis Obispo.  It caught my eye as these are interesting words to say as they roll off the tongue.  I had heard of it, but had not read the words in a long time and scanned the article to confirm that yes, it is in California.  According to her profile, Sharon Lovejoy is from San Luis Obispo, as well as Maine.  So twice, in as many days, I read the words San Luis Obispo....I like saying the word Obispo. 

In her blog, Sharon Lovejoy writes about her visit to Beatrix Potter's home in England (how cool is that?!)  Shellagh from Ticking and Toile mentioned the movie Miss Potter the other day and I thought, "Hmmm, I never got around to seeing that movie.  I bet I will love it also. I need to pick that one up for sure."  Seeing Sharon's post reminded me of that yet again.  (And apparently I say "Hmmm" a lot!)

And I'm rambling....... 

Thank you, Sharon Lovejoy for visiting my blog, for sending me your lovely comments, and for inadvertently inspiring me today....on many levels.  I am looking forward to reading Scott Nearing's "The Good Life" and his other works.  And thank you for providing a new quote for me today. 

"Writing is by nature something that must be done alone, through long periods of stillness."  ~Sharon Lovejoy

Longing for Fall

It is that time of year again when I'm so tired of summer.  My garden is fried to a crisp.  I have not been out in it in months (shame on me, but I really dislike the heat).  I'm reading in a couple of gardening blogs that it is time to put out some seeds for a winter crop.....carrots, peas, greens.  Okay.  Maybe I will try that.  I do have seeds in packages that haven't been opened.  It can't hurt to sow them just to see what happens. 

In my longing for my favorite season, I think I will actually start some holiday decorating.  My heart really hasn't been in it for the last couple of years, but because my Kloe Angel lives with us, I will do just about anything.  Yes....I admit it, she has me hog-tied and wrapped around her every finger.....and I love it!  So, perhaps this weekend I'll get started.  I will enjoy unpacking my fall and Halloween decorations that I haven't seen in awhile.  I'll take pics to share.

I am still hoping to attend this.....

My mother and brother live in Smyrna.  My husband's family (parents and siblings) live in Forsythe and Newnan.  Looks like a grand time to get all the gals together and enjoy cool weather (please pray for cool temps for me!!) and browsing around in the mountain air.  I somehow have to make the trip happen.  It is really getting close.

In my happy place (Camden, Maine) it is currently 70 degrees and it dips into the mid- to upper-50's in the evenings.  I can think of nothing more perfect....weather-wise, of course.

My apologies if it seems like I am whining.  It is the heat, really, I promise! 



Weekend Woes

I am truly feeling my age this morning.  I took a spill off our front steps yesterday afternoon that has me limping and gimping about today.  After a 15 minute downpour, I took some things out to the recycle bin in our carport.  My sandal slid on the tile of the front steps.  In my head I knew I was slipping, but the next second found me face down in the grass.  My right knee was so kind as to break my fall on the concrete sidewalk.  And somewhere in the mix, my big toe must have gotten in the way too as it is swollen and bruised as well.  So....a bag of frozen peas and a big bandage later, I am feeling quite foolish and like an invalid.  Still, I am quite thankful that I was not holding my almost 8-month-old granddaughter.  How tragic that would have been!!  So, for that reason, I will bear the pain with my head held high (or as high as I can get it with the limp going on) just in knowing that she is fine.

As I heard my husband say this weekend, "This getting old stuff is GETTING OLD!"  Yes, I agree!  Maybe I get credit for getting my carcass out of bed this morning, when I really just wanted to lay there with the knee propped up instead.

Okay....enough of my woes.  Here are a couple pictures I took in my back yard a month or so ago.  I love this copper chandy hanging from the big ficus tree.  When the weather is more tolerable, I am going to put candles in it and serve dinner out there.  I can see it now!

 

Window box, old window, and two climbing roses on the side of the shed. 
The roses have grown up to the next rung already!

It looks as though, like my feet yesterday, my fingers were in the wrong place at the wrong time and I already published this thing once before I was done.  Oops!!  I'm going to pretend that did not happen and carry on!!

"You desire to know the art of living, my friend?  It is contained in one phrase:  make use of suffering."  ~Henri-Frederic Amiel

I think I will do just that as I hobble through my day, and most likely, this week. 

 

Heavenly Day ~

Some days just get off to a great start, don't you think?  After a couple of almost sleepless nights, I had a good night sleep last night (only one interruption....not bad with a baby and three dogs in the house).  The hub had to leave before daylight for a day trip, Kloe took a bottle at 5:15, but went back to sleep until after 8!  That means Grandma did too.  It was heavenly.  Sleeping that late is a rarity these days.  It is the making of a good day.  It is my second-to-last Friday off and I mean to enjoy it!

I also remembered this morning that I got two magazines in the mail yesterday.  I guess it doesn't take much to excite me.  Vegetarian Times (can't wait to grab a couple new recipes for the weekend) and Country Gardens (my cover is different though).  Oh, how I love, love, love getting this one in the mail.  As I look out at my parched Florida backyard, this will help me get motivated to pamper it a bit and try to coax some plants back to life.  I can water morning and night, and there will still be wilted plants out there.  This summer is just so stifling.  No news to everyone, I know. 

What I enjoy almost more than all the garden inspiration is Karen Weir-Jimerson's Slow Lane article. I used to enjoy her monthly Slow Lane in the now defunct Country Home magazine and am so happy to see it again in Country Gardens...although Country Gardens is only out about four times a year.  So....guess what my Google search turned up?  Karen's blog:  Cat Crossing Farm.  I will jump aboard as a follower directly following this post and hope many of you do as well.  Maybe you are already familiar with her writing.  I find it very easy to relate to and enjoy hearing of the antics that go on at her Iowa farm.

I also had my first Etsy sale.  That was very exciting.  It was the lovely napkins that I loved so, but was happy to wrap them up for someone else to love now too.  I have some books that I just found in storage that I will put on there in the next few days.  They are so, so charming.  I had forgotten all about them, but now can't wait to take pictures of their delicate pages...a few of them are inscribed and are dated to the late 1800's.  That is pretty incredible, when you stop and think about it. 

I have added a direct link to my Etsy page - Provisions at the top of the page.  It is truly my "home-mader" as I wrestled with that thing for 3 days before I finally got it up there.  Yes...I know it looks a little rough and homemade, but I am proud to say I made it myself.  At some point, I'll dress it up a bit, but for now....well, there it is.

Well, I'm off to get this day going.  I feel a walk coming on....indoors, of course (off to the mall!).

Fake It Till You Make It

(Reprinted from my wordpress blog dated May 11, 2010.)

Someone said that to me years ago and it just stuck. Today I will fake that I really don’t have a nagging sore throat; that the projects I always have on my list each night will really get done; that I really am not worried how my son will make it in this life and that his son and daughter will grow up to be perfect and well adjusted; and that I really don’t want to just be out in my garden up to my elbows in dirt instead of where I really am. There – just writing all that down seemed to unload it all just a bit. There isn’t much there that I have control over, so why let it continue to stew?

Over this past weekend, when my sweet little Kloe fell asleep in her swing, I ran out into the backyard in the hopes of planting a few new plants: Russian sage Pevovskia and Powderpuff Mimosa strigillosa.

To me the sage almost looks like lavender with stalks of lavender blooms. I think two more will create the drift I am hoping for. They only go to Zone 9, but I often have good luck with that still. It is planted in a semi-shaded area under a tree that I wish I knew the name of. It is a tropical tree native to South America (I think), with beautiful yellow blooms in the winter (which was why I wanted it) and BIG thorns (which is why I was asked to please not plant it a couple of years ago). I planted it anyway. I cannot fully stand under it yet so I am on my hands and knees digging a hole with my small hand trowel while trying not to get thorns in my back.

The pink powderpuff mimosas are native to Florida. I planted them in and amongst some other groundcovers…a creeping jasmine and dune daisies. I like the idea of the pink powderpuffs popping up their little bushy heads there. All in keeping with the backyard color scheme of purples, whites, pinks, and yellows (and shades thereof).

Any gardener knows that when you are out there on your hands and knees (or finally just sitting there in the middle of the bed), weeds seen have to be removed. I have a pesky weed that likes to invade everything in the yard….grass included. As I was pulling it up and flinging it into a pile, I turned to look over my shoulder and saw our chickens feasting on them. First of all, I didn’t even realize they were out. It is a different view to be sitting on the ground when they are having their walk-about. They look so much bigger. Secondly, it was pretty cool to just watch them pecking all the leaves off the weeds I had discarded. My pest was their feast.

Out of nowhere, these lyrics popped into my head:

To everything: turn, turn, turn;
There is a season: turn, turn, turn;
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven.

I guess seeing the chickens eat what I had considered to be trash reminded me that everything has a purpose and place in this world. And since I basically think life is one big musical anyway and that in certain situations one should just break out in song, I was not surprised that a song came to mind. However, that particular Byrds song had not entered my mind in forever. And right then and there, I felt peace. I enjoyed just sitting in the middle of a flower bed, under a thorny tree, watching a chicken dance, and humming a song in my head.

Next scene, my husband is walking out of the house with our granddaughter, who is now awake. He sits down in the grass so she can see the chickens up close and I can finish getting my few plants in the ground. Here Comes the Sun, the James Taylor/Yo Yo Ma version, is next on the In Carol’s Head jukebox. Truth be said, there is almost always a song going on in there. Kloe mostly bears the brunt of my constant singing and often looks at me quizzically. The other day I made up a little ditty that almost made her laugh. She goes to sleep every night listening to Jewel sing lullabies. I have no idea if it helps or if she likes it. She seems to. It makes me feel better anyway.

In my Fake It Till You Make It world, I often don’t have to fake it for long. I just break out in song and everything seems better!

~~
I miss my singing career very much. ~ Elvis Presley

The only thing better than singing is more singing. ~ Ella Fitzgerald

And finally….

If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning. ~ Simon Cowell