Bolting

When I was in Wisconsin I heard the word "bolting" used in the context of gardening for the first time. I've always known it as "going to seed"....but now I have a new name for it. When vegetables and herbs go to seed...or bolt....their food source season is over and they begin the process of reproducing.  

https://www.towergarden.com/blog.read.html/en/2015/7/bolting_basics_how.html

I haven't had a home with enough sun for a vegetable garden in a long time...so bolting has been off my radar screen.  But when I came home from Wisconsin I now know that's exactly what happened to my little salad garden that Janice gave me....the sudden vertical growth and flowering of the lettuce plants. I learned from the article above that the tiny flowers from bolting are loved by pollinators....so I composted it a little too soon.

And today....while visiting Janice....I got the whole "bolting" experience with her cilantro....and it was sight to behold.

This is a cilantro bloom....getting ready to make some seeds.  It's quite delicate and lovely...the bees will be happy!  

It was a beautiful summer scene.... the blue sky and the lacy dill in the background....

and the mass of bolted cilantro in the front. 

Here are a few more things I loved from Janice's house.

Look at the holes in the petals of the rose.  So interesting!

And I loved this hairy Queen Anne's lace bud.

And finally...I'm not the only one who loves watching blooms dry.  Janice had a whole bouquet of drying allium blooms.  It looks like a little firework bolt....pun intended. (is that even a thing? It is now.)

Maine Summer Day

I don't think I could have packed more into this beautiful summer day.  

It started with a perfect morning for walk with my favorite walking partner.  The air was cool and dry.....the sky was blue with fluffy white clouds....and the shadows were long and leggy.

And it wound down with our first lobster dinner of the season. 

Life was good....on this beautiful Maine summer day.

The Right Moment

Sometimes you happen upon something at just the right moment.

This orange butterfly milkweed on one our walking route makes me stop in my tracks every year!  And this is the moment when I love it most....when all stages of blooms are present.

I just couldn't stop looking.....and Paul patiently waited.

Paul found this rock in the doorway at our local grocery store...and he brought it home to share with me.  Per the instructions....I will put a photo on the Maine Girl Rocks site....and rehide it for someone else to find. This is the right moment to play along with Tracie, who is just trying to spread some joy with sweet little rocks.

Firsts

Yesterday I set an alarm for 9:00 pm.....I'm often in bed at that hour. We've finally had a little summerish weather so I wondered whether the fireflies would be out. Sure enough....there were a few here and there in the woods...but that's all it took to make my heart sing.  I may have my alarm go every evening at 9 for a while.

free image found online

It's fitting that I saw my first fireflies last night...because it was the first time this season I went for an evening swim.. Yes....there's a story.  I've told it before I believe...but it's a good one....so here I go again.

I grew up with fireflies on the farm in Wisconsin. There was no light pollution in the country....and early summers were often hot and humid....just the way fireflies like it. I have fond memories of chasing and catching them....it was magical.  

But I've lived in the city most of my adult life....and there were very few...if any fireflies. I actually had almost forgotten about them and I don't think my boys have many firefly memories....except when we visited the farm.

Then Paul and I moved to the condo in June of 2017.....still in the city...but also a little bit country. I had gone for my first evening swim and I was sitting on the patio drip drying a bit...and there they were.  The woods was twinkling with fireflies and the first thing I thought was "I'M HOME!"

And just this morning on our walk I saw my first fabulous mushroom....and I'm thinking of Joyce.  (she knows why) 

Here's to fabulous firsts!

Paul and I walked by this sign this morning....and it caught my attention. 

Sometimes it's just this simple.

Marvelous Victory

I don't think I could be more excited that my meadow rue is starting to bud.  

I have three tall stalks now in front of the fence...and it's going to be so much fun to watch them bloom. 

Look at those fabulous little pin pearls!  

I don't have a lot of blooming plants....mostly a mixture of colors and textures of green.  But I actually think that allows me to enjoy the blooms I do have....one at a time.  The yellow lilies are completely done....and the Bowman's Root is just about done.....and here comes the meadow rue!

A reader (anonymous) sent me this powerful quote by Howard Zinn as a comment on yesterday's post....and it was just what I needed to hear. Thank you! I found this image of the quote here.  I hope you read the whole thing...right up until the end. 

I spent the day tending to my gardens and my home.  I deeply watered all the beds with a slow trickle.....we call that "trickling" at our house....and it takes all day.  I started to unbury (yes it happened again) the guest room because Paul's sister Liz is coming in a couple weeks....but I first had to wash the windows so I could put the screens in so I could get some fresh air.  

That lead me to wash the other windows that didn't have screens yet so I could open them too.....which has been on my list ALL spring.  I did get back to the guest room...getting side tracked hanging a few things while trying to clean.  It was a classic case of Bright Shiny Object Syndrome flipping from one shiny thing to another. But it was also a beautiful "succession of present moments.....and all a marvelous victory" for my soul.  

There is even joy in the chores.....I call it joyful puttering. 😉

Beauty In Imperfection

This peony seemed like the perfect metaphor today....especially given a recent post....and the state of things in America. The peony looks a little beat up....but it's still beautiful.  And this particular peony actually held itself up....so it wasn't a "peony gonna peony" situation even though the odds were not in its favor.

And there is absolute beauty in the wabi-sabi imperfection as it starts to die back. New and interesting parts are revealed and even highlighted, and the fading and falling petals seem to be dancing.  

The political events that have already happened....and the realities of the ones that may yet happen are overwhelming and even frightening for many.  How do we manage it?  How do we continue to find and celebrate joy?  

I'm not really sure....but I know we have to....even in the midst of the struggle. Like the peony....many of us are feeling a little ragged around the edges today.....but there is still beauty in our imperfection.  And there is still joy in our world.  There's always joy.

Broken....But

Today was a difficult day for many Americans.....things just feel so broken and hopeless. It almost seems wrong to celebrate anything on days like this.

But the sun came up.

The birds sang all day long.

And there is still beauty all around me. 

"What I want in my life is to be dazzled. To cast aside  the weight of facts and maybe even float a little above this difficult world."  Mary Oliver

I had a Zoom call this afternoon with Roseanne, who I've been corresponding with for several months now.  We met through the blog and have found so much common ground that we can finish each other's sentences.  We acknowledged the tough news of the day....but floated above it for a few hours....and shared our stories.  

"Imagine a world where we all listen to each other's stories and learn we are all not as different as we are the same."  Story People

"Peonies Gonna Peony"

I have known for years that Paul is not fond of peonies. They just don't make sense to him.....they have almost no ability to hold themselves up. He laughs every time he sees them laying on the ground and says "peonies gonna peony."

He sent me this photo today while on his bike ride...of course with the caption "peonies gonna peony."

I actually think he's having fun with it....and it makes me chuckle every time so it's all good.

And he was a good sport carrying home a large found object this morning.  I have an experiment I want to try with this table....and because it was free by the side of the road....I've got nothing to lose.  Stay tuned. 

Aren't the dogwood trees beautiful!

And here are a couple more found objects.....S is for Shupe....and 3 is my favorite number.  Win win win!

Not So Ugly

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

I love going to the Winslow Farm stand just a few miles down the road.  It's so gratifying to buy produce right from the farmer.

I stocked up on a variety of veggies...but my favorite purchase has to be this bag labeled "ugly carrots." 

They're really not so ugly....they're absolutely amazing!  Every single one has a personality.  

Life is good when a bag of carrots can make your day.  

I can't wait to pick my own blueberries! 

Angie's Gumball Machine

After my sister Angie died my other three sisters, LaVonn, Marilyn, and Nancy, worked tirelessly cleaning out her house.  Because of Covid I wasn't able to go....but they were willing to retrieve a few things for me.  

Photo taken at Angie's house.

One of my requests was this yellow gumball machine.....I always admired it. There was something about the unexpected and happy yellow color.....and the fact that it was filled with marbles that drew me in.  It was soooo Angie.

Nancy sent the marbles in a birthday box a few years ago and took the gumball machine home to Minneapolis to hold for me. She brought it with her to Wisconsin so it was my carry on during my trip home. It was bigger than I remembered...so was a bit of a challenge.

It's now in my dining room on Connie's cabinet. If Angie can have a gumball machine in her living room....I can have one in my dining room.  The arrangement will evolve.....and I'll smile and think of Angie every time I walk by.

I do think it needs a few more marbles.  

When I stayed with Angie when she first became quite ill I was taking the Conscious Creativity class from Philippa Stanton (5ftinf).  The lesson one of the weeks was looking for mood and atmosphere around us....and this photo was one of my class submissions.  

Angie would park her wheelchair in front of the bathroom door while she got ready for bed.  There was something about the single light in the hallway illuminating the empty chair that gave me chills.   

Do you see the gumball machine on the shelf? The whimsical yellow machine took on a whole different feel in the dark....and this setting.

And one final story.  When I was walking from one end of terminal A to the other in Detroit for my connecting flight home I had the gumball machine in a bag slung over my shoulder.  It was awkward and uncomfortable....but I knew it was worth it.  

All of a sudden I walked by a bigger than human size gumball machine and it made me stop in my tracks. Seriously.....it was 6 or 7 feet tall....and it gave me a little bounce in my step for the rest of my walk.

Coincidence?  I think not. 

People

"In life you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet.  Some will test you. Some will use you. Some will love you and some will teach you. But the ones who are truly important are the ones who bring out the best in you. They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it's worth it."  found here

Becky sent this quote....and it couldn't be more true.  As I spent my first full day back at home I had time to reflect on the all the people in Wisconsin I was able to spend time with.....I packed a lot of people in!  And it was all worth it.

Becky...it's hard to describe the deep connection we have. We have a comfort level with each other that allows us to be just who we are...as we are....in all our glory and and our not-so glory.

David.....always makes me feel right at home even though I take over his spot at the kitchen island.  And...he's an amazing cook.

Kathy...who I hadn't seen since college and our wedding day...but we picked up right where we left off and filled in all the gaps.

Lynn...who has taught me so much about art....and joy....and is a major source of inspiration.

Marilyn, Nancy and LaVonn....I love time with my sisters.  We are as much the same as we are different....and we enjoy each other's company.

My sister's families....Ben and Sarah, Sam and Megan and their kids Maeson and Calvin, Fred, Holly, Hikmet, Aras, and Ayla. 

Tim...my brother-in-law who dropped everything for a couple of days and helped someone in need that he didn't even know. He's got mad skills!

Carol, Henry and Charles...my sister-in-law and nephews who are finding their way without my brother Rich...and seem to be doing well.

Rosy, Tracie and Brenda....creative and beautiful women who feed my soul. I'm grateful to Becky for bringing them into my life.

Emily....my goddaughter who is all grown up and setting up her first home with her partner Keegan. Who is awesome...by the way...but the fact that he loves Emily is all that really matters.

We also spent time with a couple neighbor friends of Marilyn's who she has grown to love. I can't retrieve their names...but they were amazing and I'm so glad I had a chance to meet them because I know they mean a lot to Marilyn.  I can see why.

Here are some photos from the trip that never made it to the blog.  

Tim on duty at the local recycling center....we took him his lunch.

Sisters doing garden clean-up at LaVonn's.

And I'm lucky to have just as many fabulous people right here at home...or scattered and here there who bring out the best in me. How lucky am I!  

No Place Like Home

There is really no place like home.

I had just enough time this morning to walk the yard....unpack a bit and start to get my bearings before Paul and I headed to Lexington for celebratory event at Hancock Church.  Because of Covid, we were not able to meet in person with the congregation when Paul retired....so it was good to see faces....even with masks.  And...the time in the car gave us focused time to catch up and share our stories.

I was greeted this morning with a little arrangement of Paul's found objects.  Although I do love the dinosaur, I'm especially fond of the balls and the tiny little bead.  He's a loyal finder!

My sweet yellow daylilies were standing tall...and still in their prime with a few more buds still to come.  It's like little shouts of "welcome home" were coming through the little trumpet blooms.....and that made me happy.

The Bowman's root was still blooming too and my new little corner garden around it has filled in nicely and ....what a difference 10 days makes.

I think Angie's Praying Hands hosta tripled in size while I was gone...we talked about Angie several times during this trip.  She was missed.

The baptisia on the other side of the fence is blooming....and I found just enough sprigs of wispy stems around the yard for a little bouquet.  There's no place like home....and there's no blooms like your own blooms.