The Book

Once a week I meet up with a group of master gardeners to volunteer in our community. We have an area in one of our city parks that we call, “The Teaching Garden.”

I have many figurines and ornaments in my garden. Some are heirlooms from relatives, others I have found along the way at yard sales or even dug out of the trash.

It has been a beautiful week here in zone 7. Our temperatures have been in the upper 70’s and the wind is a mild 10 mph. My faithful dog, Millie, and I are taking daily walks throughout the neighborhood.

A few weeks ago I got a text from my daughter in law. She asked me to stop by their home because she had something for my husband and I.

Today I spent the entire morning doing one of my most favorite things. I met some of my master gardener friends at out local public garden. The weather was a pleasant 70 degrees and a nice breeze was blowing.

August is an interesting time of the year. Many of my annual flowers look rough because they have reached the end of their growing cycle. Here in zone 7, it is too early to plant fall mums, ornamental cabbage, or pansies.

We have all heard it said that, “Experience is the best teacher.” That statement has been proven in my life many times. This week has been no exception.

The other day I had, “one of those days.” I was in a hurry trying get my flowers on the front porch watered when suddenly I heard a crash.

I have a favorite picture from my childhood. It is yellowed and worn, yet, it is displayed in a strategic place in my home. It is a picture of my sister, Laura, and I.

A year ago my husband and I were looking through our storage building when we stumbled across an old head board. “Do we really need this?” my husband asked.

In the past several weeks we have had an unusual amount of rainfall here in NE Oklahoma. Our local lakes and rivers were at flood stage. Often roads were closed due to flash floods.

Over the years I have talked with many frustrated gardeners about the problems they are having with tomato plants. “I just don’t understand it,” they would say, “The plants receive 6-8 hours of sunlight every day.

A sad fact occurred to me the other day. I realized that I have come to a time in my life that I attend more funerals than weddings. Many of the people in my parents generation have passed.

The summer season is over.

It is the beginning of a new chapter of life for some of you. But, I have good news, my friends. Our God knows how this chapter will end even before it begins..

Memorial Day weekend has a special meaning for each of us here in the USA. I remember a tradition that my husband and I had when we were first married.

When our three sons were small I was often asked how I had the time to work in my garden. My answer was very simple; they were outside with me. Growing up on a farm I had chores at an early age.