Before and After

Again this morning I woke up trembling, the anxiety overwhelming me and rendering me immobile. There is so much that makes me this way and not one thing that I could explain to anyone. So instead of feeding this fear of life, I want to share more images from my garden.

The garden was looking a little shaggy and unkempt this spring. When my husband and I put in new grass spring a year ago, the seed went ever where when we mowed the existing grass. It was springing up on all the old mulch. I attempted to chop it out but it was too well establish.

 We had flagstone put in and in time, grass replaced the pea stone they originally put in. It had all washed out leaving big gaps between the stones, making them hard to walk on.  I called our Landscaper and he and a crew of about four came and worked on the garden all day.

  Before

  After they trimmed all the beds and put down new mulch everywhere.

 Before

  After

  The garden looks amazing. The dogs have been doing their best to disturb the mulch in some places. They put this product that looks like sand between the flagstone but when you wet it, it hardens. We also had the roof powerwashed because I can grow plants anywhere it seems, including my roof.

  Before After

We had the doggies groomed also this summer. Browny gets so hot and his fur is so dense. I wanted them trimmed but the girl ended up shaving them. They looked so silly at first, but with the heat this summer they are happier.

  Before

  After   He looks like a plush toy.

I put up a lots of pots this year and they are doing great. I water every night as it has been a very hot  and dry summer.

  We have been also enjoying looking for garden decorations and odd pots in our travels.

In our eves over the porch, we have a dove who has been there since early spring. She has had three broods so far. Two chicks, one who died when attacked by something now resides in a grave in the garden. This is Duncan who was very brave and stayed in the nest when all the work was being done

And this is the newest ones, Debbie and Donnie.   They are so used to me I can stand there and talk to them and they just look at me like they get it. Last night Debbie fell asleep while I was singing to her.   So cute.

  We have been enjoying the lettuce. The bunnies come every night and sit with me while I read. One comes very close. I noticed last night that even with my kabob sticks, they have managed to chew some of the plants. But there is plenty for all.

This is my place of peace. I truly long for it when I am at work. Even John, the Landscaper,  says the garden is very peaceful. We all need a place like this.