Sealed Under Pressure

I have many fond childhood memories at this time of year. All summer long my sister’s and I helped our mother in the garden. The front portion of our garden was the flower bed.

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Helen DeBell
Stay Strong

As I was watering a planter of Coleus the other day, I noticed some insect damage on the leaves. When I potted it in the spring, I had added some systemic insecticide granules to the soil.

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Helen DeBell
The Keeper

I love going to the mailbox this time of year.

The beautiful Christmas cards filled with photos of family and friends always warm my heart.

Today, however, something more was accompanying my holiday treasure;

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Helen DeBell
The Zinnia

The early morning sun shone brilliantly across the backyard of our farmhouse. Drops of dew danced on each flower petal in the garden.

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Helen DeBell
JUMP IN, THE WATER’S FINE

One evening as I was watching TV a commercial came on that got my attention. It was a father standing in a swimming pool with his arms out stretched. Standing on the pool side was a very timid little girl.

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Helen DeBell
The memory makers

While working in a garden center I witnessed firsthand how the sight or smell of certain plants can instantly bring back a memory. A gentleman came in and wanted to buy a Night Blooming Jasmine plant.

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Helen DeBell
EVERYBODY’S A FLOWER

Florists often use Statice Flower in their flower arrangements. It is called a “filler flower” because it is seldom used as the focal point in an arrangement. This flower is very easy to grow from seed in a home garden.

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Helen DeBell
The Surprise Lily

One of first plants to emerge in my garden is the Surprise Lily, (Lycoris squamigera) also known as Hardy Amaryllis, Resurrection Lily, as well as many others.

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Helen DeBell
Childhood Home

Standing in the driveway I remember better days. It was a place alive with children laughing and playing.  Cattle fat from corn and alfalfa hay lay on a pile of corn cobs.

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Helen DeBell