In the aftermath of the tornado outbreak in April, I watched the images of destruction flicker across the TV screen. The shell-shocked look on people’s faces, the enormity of rubble, the immense suffering of loss-the pain and ugliness of it all is hard to grasp. One day life is normal with all the routines in motion, and then in a moment’s time nothing matters anymore except life itself. How grateful one escaped still breathing.

So, what’s left- the clothes on the back, if that. But one lives on….No doubt, many experience intense pain and will continue to suffer physically and emotionally. When the very “thing” upon which we exist, i.e., the earth, is destroyed and everything man-made goes with it, the mind can go into a tail-spin. Simply put, it can be beyond one’s coping abilities. Taking the next step to meet the challenges of rebuilding requires a supportive community.

And, that supportive community enlarges based on the size of the devastation. In these cases, it takes more than just the village- it takes a nation or a globe of large hearts. I ask myself the big question: where and how can I help? Volunteer, give donations, counseling, rebuild- there are lots of needs. If you are asking yourself the same question and don’t know where to begin check with the American Red Cross and your own faith community.

God created the seven Universal Laws within which we go through life, and one of those laws is the Law of Polarity- the law of opposites. Experiencing opposites is what living entails. If we didn’t have sorrow we wouldn’t have joy; if we didn’t have tears we wouldn’t have laughter; if we didn’t have fear we wouldn’t have love; and if we didn’t have death we wouldn’t have resurrection.

So, I look for opposites in the wake of the tornado outbreak tragedy. I’ve heard stories of self sacrifice to save a neighbor, and I see videos of strangers helping strangers instead of ignoring them. Now, surrounded by the ugliness of debris and devastation we will soon know natural beauty on another level when it is recreated.

Here's to all the Steel Magnolias

After we have helped these southern folks get back on their feet with their basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing met, remember ways to bring back the natural beauty in their lives. Send a plant to a friend, or help re-landscape someone’s yard. Gazing upon nature’s beauty is an application of balm to the wounded heart.

For a Tuscaloosa relief tee shirt where all proceeds go to the recovery effort click here.

As much of our country grinds to a chilling halt, enduring the onslaught of the umpteenth winter storm for the season, there are reverberations rippling across the nation. Word is out that Phil, the groundhog hailing from Punxsutawney, Pa., failed to see his shadow! That my folks is good news, according to centuries old tradition! For if Phil had, indeed, seen his shadow he would have been frightened back into his place of hibernation for another six weeks of frigid air.

(The above image is from the bullerdick.wordpress.com website.)

February 2nd is the pivotal point of winter when we begin to focus on the arrival of the spring equinox, another six weeks away. We hold on to the hope of the shadowless groundhog-that the remaining weeks may be milder, not that spring will arrive any earlier.

My grandmother, an avid gardener, loved Groundhogs Day. Every January she would sit by the warm fireplace, planning her garden and ordering seeds from her favorite seed companies. By February 2nd she was ready! Like her, I am ready- Mother Nature, bring on the spring weather!!

While growing up my brother-in-law’s family celebrated Groundshog Day by giving his mother yellow flowering plants or bouquets. As an adult, Fred continues this tradition in his own family, giving his wife and two daughters yellow flowers on February 2nd. Over time I have been included in his lineup of womenfolk, and have become an excited and grateful benefactor of the famous Groundhogs Day bouquets! Look what arrived this chilly morning.

Many thanks, Fred! They are beautiful and they warm my heart!

Believe it or not shades of Spring are beginning to emerge. Be on the look out in your landscape and elsewhere for flowering bulbs, such as crocus, daffodils, irises, etc.

violets

Look up as well, for flowering trees are harbingers of spring soon to be bursting into bloom! Look for these images in the next post…

Happy Groundhog Day everyone!

Winter offers us time to plan and dream about our gardening ventures for the spring and summer, and the peak season arrives faster that a zinnea seed can sprout. Now is the time to take inventory of supplies in the garden shed, and freshen and restock where needed.

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Do you have durable pruners? Check out Felco pruners here. You will be clipping with ease with any of Felco’s pruners and saws.

image borrowed from Society Garlic blog

And, what about your gardening gloves? Are they as tired and worn out as mine?

I just picked up a new pair of sunny Mud Gloves. Check them out here.

And, my poor, poor hand hoe/weeder…. I simply can’t part with it.

I bought it probably twenty years ago at Smith and Hawkins and it has by far been my favorite hand tool. It makes for quick weeding as I pick and pull my way through the beds. If you don’t have one of these

then you can buy it here.

And, then there’s the poor, downtrodden, and abused wheelbarrow…

After one too many loads of hauling heavy stones for a garden wall, it’s time to go to Home Depot for a new one.

True Temper Wheelbarrow

Hope this check list helps you get your garden shed in order. It’s a little early for spring fever, but I always seem to catch it too soon. I can’t wait for my sleeping garden to wake up and look like this again…

I had been eying an SLR digital camera for some time but I silently vowed that I would not progress beyond my Canon point and shoot until I learned how to use all the functions it had. However…. I fell one morning with my camera in hand while taking photographs of swallowtails that had just emerged from their dreamy chrysalis sleep.

Swallowtails emerging from their chrysalises

The eternal optimist that I am, I  firmly believe that for every negative there is a positive, and voila- hello Rebel Canon T2i!!

photography lessons at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

To fill you in between my fall and my trip to Birmingham: I took my camera to a shop to see what repairs, if any, could be made, and while there I took a look at the Canon Rebel T2i just for kicks. Well, the rest is history. I had no problem justifying the purchase – after all my camera was broken, albeit not beyond repair, but in my business I can’t afford to be without a camera. A month in the repair shop simply wouldn’t do. Right? Right.

Now I have this wonderful new camera with meager knowledge as to how it functions. But, I just so happen to have a fine young son who is a talented photographer and owns a similar camera. And, I just so happened to be planning a visit to see him in Birmingham…

Troupe was so excited about my new purchase and growing interest in photography that he arranged for us to spend Saturday morning in the  Pepper Place district where the farmers market is located and some fabulous gardening, antique, and architectural shops.

flower booth at the farmer's market

After feasting our eyes on the vivid colors of the produce and flowers we strolled around the corner to find a lovely garden shop…

Thigpen Garden Gallery

Beautiful Garden Shop

Entry way into Thigpen's nursery shop

Following a couple of “must have” purchases and taking lots of images under Troupe’s tutelage, we wondered across the street to Architectural Heritage. There we came upon exquisite architectural pieces for the interior and exterior. As we wandered through the gated outdoor area we found beautiful European architectural elements: urns, fountains, tables, iron, gates, etc. Perfect for instantly aging your garden.

My patient son waits while I continue to improve my photographing skills in one morning. He’s a great teacher and my Saturday morning shopping was all the more sweeter with his company. Thank you, Troupe.

In my article “The Lure of the Land”, I said that I get a true sense of place by knowing it’s flora and fauna. When traveling I focus on the mix of the people in the area- their accents and mannerisms; and the landscapes. It is how I best remember a place. In August my sister and I went to visit a close friend in the D.C. area. Along with fabulous sight seeing, shopping excursions and seeing Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center, a visit to the National Cathedral Bishop’s Garden was a highlight for us.

Portal into the Bishop's Garden

We entered the door onto a stone path that meandered underneath the shade of massive trees behind the Herb Cottage.

“The soul that walks in love neither tires others nor grows tired”.- St. John of the Cross.

Lavender path to the Shadow House

A baptismal font from Charlemagne’s time :742-814.

"You are being rooted and grounded in love". Ephesians 3:17

The rose garden and the Prodigal Son sculpture.

Rose Garden and Prodigal Son sculpture

Prodigal son sculpture

A seating area for reflection along the perennial border.

"Be Still and Know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

A combined effort of Fredrick Law Olmsted, Jr. and Florence Bratenahl, the wife of the first dean of the Washinton National Cathedral, turned the surrounding acreage into a haven in the center of a bustling political city. The gardens are maintained by the horticultural staff of the All Hallows Guild, founded in 1916. For more information and photographs click here. I was there in August when many of the flowers were past their prime, but the grounds are so beautiful on their own with the stone work and classic architectural elements that it has a luring and peaceful appeal for each season. During your next trip to D.C. put your  Soul in Balance by spending some time in the gardens.