Happy Fall in the Garden and The Road Not Taken

Happy Fall in the Garden!

Autumn Pathway painting by Gail M. Allen

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

"Grow what you love. 
The love will keep it growing." 
 by Emilie Barnes

Gardening is part of your soul. Like music, dance and painting, it is your soul's innermost expression. This spring as my gardens flourished, the rains brought a new crop of invaders. Weeds like we have never before seen … not just wildflowers that had seeded, but strange deadly weeds which  began to take over and get ahead of our maintanence capabilities. One of those weeds has spiny thorn-like barbs that turn your skin burning, hot, itchy and very red - somewhat like the feeling in your mouth when you are eating a habanero chile pepper.

 Usually I can tell what my soul is needing by the wildflowers that appear all around our home. An old sage of a gardening friend once told me that the herbs and wildflowers that are invading our gardens are exactly the homeopathic remedies we need for the maladies in our lives. If we pay attention to this, we can resolve the innate issues we are dealing with at the time.

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." 
Luther Burbank

I was too busy to notice, but the signs were there. The symptoms of Lyme Disease were once again beginning their assault on my body, as I battled the weeds and otherwise stayed busy with my painting and family commitments - too busy to pay attention to my own body's invaders. 

Before long there was no avoiding it, the symptoms had taken hold and done their damage. I began the long road of fighting this horrendous disease once again.  We decided no matter what the outcome, it was time to fulfill a lifelong dream, to help nourish all of our souls during these crazy times. And so our family embarked on a long awaited vacation to the West Coast and Yosemite National Park during this past summer - a trip I have always held dear to my heart. It was beautiful, breathtaking and regenerating. At times, I could only walk with my cane, but in the end we had all had a wonderful time! 

Although this summer I did not get to write much on this blog, I did want to take the time to mention that a garden, like our own body, is usually able to regenerate after neglect, even when you need to let it go for awhile. And then again, there is a larger, more beautiful garden we all share that surrounds us in our cities, parks, and countryside that we can get the same soulful fulfillment from, on a daily basis - if we simply open our hearts and eyes to the beauty of the natural gardens nature has given us, which we interact with daily. 

Anyone's life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit. 
Lilly Langtry 

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead. 

Louisa May Alcott

May you have a great Fall season in your garden…

The Garden as a Metaphor for Life

The garden is a metaphor for life, and gardening is a symbol of the spiritual path."~ Larry Dossey 

Full Moon by Gail Allen

Paying very close attention to who you are and what you are wanting is almost unheard of in these crazy, busy times we live in, but none – the - less is needed. as much, if not more so, than ever before. We are living in a new era where the world around us changing minute by minute, in unparalleled ways.  The need to keep ourselves openly aware of the subtle intuitive realms within us and hold fear and loneliness at bay is a lofty goal, to say the least. Doing this will undoubtedly though, uphold the important evolution we are all experiencing.

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

                                                                  - Elizabeth Lawrence

Yakima Dwarf Rhododendron

  This is spring in the garden, as we grow older. A yearly reminder of what we once knew -  the magic that is there, if we pay attention. Chartreuse greens bright with wonder and an array of beautiful color bursting from blossoming trees, flowers and shrubs. Scents abounding; even the spring rains have an distinct smell to them. Nature is calling.

"All my hurts my garden spade can heal." 

                                                                            -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Grape Crab Apple

Japanese Maple,

  The moods we have are not the important factors in our experience. Instead, how we interpret, deal with and express them, on our own very personal level, whether it be through writing, gardening, painting, building, sculpting, acting, decorating or through interaction by way of sports. Healing the wounds of the past comes from acknowledgment that whatever you are needing, be it solitude, a lovely place of romanticism in the garden, a tribute to a memory with a meditative spot, a magical garden or just a bright, joyful, playful garden to appease the child within you, - that the place you create is a place of comfort to your soul. It should feel soothing to you like a warm blanket by the fire, or a child wrapped in his or her mother’s arms. The messages of the soul have no judgment factor to them…they are simply making you aware of what you need to resolve to open and walk through the next door.

"Show me your garden ... 

  and I shall show you what you are." ~ Alfred Austin 

 

Honeysuckle Vine on Arbor

White Crab Apple

It is our conscious mind that takes that message and turns it inside out, analyzing the why, what about, what for and how, etc. The soul simply states this needs to be attended to, pay attention so we may understand and move forward.
By intuitively honoring its messages and creating a place for us to interpret and observe our own soul’s landscape: the attributes, characteristics, feelings, fragrances, sounds and colors, as well as the plants that grow there and any sort of means required to rest in this spot, we are honoring those aspects of our self and giving ourselves permission for them to come forth in a safe place and time that we have created.
It's Spring...a time of new beginnings...eggs hatching everywhere around us in nature. Why not create your own chance at hatching a buried treasure, or idea deep inside of you that has been waiting for this moment to arrive. Whether on a city balcony, in a cooperative garden setting, or on your own property...it is a time of new beginnings .... enjoy the beauty of Spring!

Virginia Snow bell, Blue Spruce, Yellow Cyprus

Water garden, Japanese Maple, Japanese Iris, Sedum

So get some paper and a garden catalog, or two. List (or cut pictures out of) the colors, textures, flowers, shrubs, trees and grasses that appeal to you. Look in magazines or on the web and find examples of gardens, follies, benches, chairs, tables, stumps, rocks, shells, statues, etc, that call out to you…"pay attention to me". What does the garden of your soul look like? You will be amazed at the beauty you will create and this in turn will help heal our planet. Springtime is full of the creativity nature offers unfurling into a beautiful creation right before our eyes. Now is the time...Enter the garden!

“A healthy garden is a reflection 

                                     of a healthy soul.” ~Anonymous

More Spring Surprises....Unfolding Before Our Eyes

Grape Hyacinth(Muscari) under Bradford Pear

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

— Roald Dahl

This time of year can sometimes feel overwhelming in the garden. So much to clean up from the winter and pots, arbors, follies to move and plants to put in anew. For me it is a constant struggle... garden or studio. Because of the fact that my work in the garden seems to inspire my artistic senses and muse, it is best for me to give the garden some extra time now, which pays great dividends in the heat of summer months. This is a time of pacing ones self. Stopping for a glass of ice cold tea, or water and some fruit every few hours. A few hours seems to be my limit right now. My strength has not quite returned fully. So in those times, I head to the studio, or my trusty sketch book for a well needed break away from the garden.

A sketch of the house done for a new painting currently in progress.

It is the season of white blooms in the lower area of the garden. The Bradford Pears line the driveway and remind me of lacy bridal dresses. There are six quite large ones around the perimeter....recently it rained for days and their blooms came down quickly, before I was able to capture them...they will have to wait until next year to show their splendor to you.

Bradford Pear

Bridgewood Gardens is one of the sources we have purchased plants from, that have been unbelievably hardy and grown great. They come carefully packaged and have all done very well in my gardens. I have purchased hostas and a number of delightful ferns from them for the woodland gardens. This particular hosta has doubled in size, (twice), in the few years since we purchased it. I now have four and will be subdividing again soon. Its lovely spring color stands out in the shade as it is yellowish white, then it turns green later in the season. It is a great complement when put under or next to Blue Spruce as we have it in our gardens. It seems to love the shade below a japanese bosai cut spruce, facing toward the East where it gets morning sun and then shade from noon on. I have some variegated iris with the similar yellowish white color very close by, the hosta being horizontal and the iris a strong verticle, which keeps the eye moving on. 

http://www.bridgewoodgardens.com/

I love this beautiful Hosta we had purchased from Bridgewood Gardens a couple years ago!

Foamflower (Tiarella) along the magical woodland path.  I believe this is pink skyrocket. It accompanies a golden leaved Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Gold Heart), Japanese Jack In the Pulpit, Coral Bells (Purple Heuchera), Fire Chief Coral Bells (Heuchera), Bloodgood Japanese Maple, Sweet Woodruff (Galium Odoratum), Epimedium Grandiflorum (Bishop's Hat)Night before Christmas, Patriot and White Christman Hostas as well as an evergreen Viburnum (Viburnum tinus 'Compactum' Spring Bouquet and Yakima Dwarf Rhododendrums. This is a winding path walking toward the swing set and is for the child in all of us. This path feeds the senses with exhilarating scents, sights of butterflies, sounds of birds and feeds the muse of inspiration and creativity. 

The smell of Sweet William is intoxicating.
It is a lovely ground cover that spreads quickly under the Bloodgood Japanese Maple.

This viburnum, bleeding heart and hosta are next to the foamflower. The colors repeat themselves over and over along the path. There are also purple leaved coral bells later on throughout the summer, which are just coming up right now.

Boxwood hedges around the garden shed.

The garden shed with an old sundial from an estate sale.

Lilacs about to come into full bloom.
There is so much more to see  here ...   as the seasons go round and round.
Thank you for coming. Hope you enjoyed the visit.
Come again soon.

And the Seasons, They Go Round and Round....

Welcome back again, Happy Spring!  I am trying to get back to some normalcy in my life, after being gone for quite some time.... a few seasons have passed, as I return with the renewed sense of everything in moderation. Here is my first post in quite some time....

The Japanese Cherry and Rhododendrons at the entrance

      

I always loved the song, "The Circle Game" by Joni Mitchell. 

"And the seasons go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down, we're captive on a carousel of time." Looking behind, from where I have come, and watching another turn of the seasons, I am humbled. In this crazy life and through these crazy times, our love has prevailed. There is something to be said for never giving up, persistence and nurturing, no matter what. A weakened plant, bush or tree that we become frustrated trying to satisfy, can turn on a dime, with just a bit of extra care and love. A change of place can always do wonders.

A Spring Rainbow Above the Yard

Our two oldest sons are graduating from college within two weeks of each other this month, starting out on their own journeys. The third has begun to drive on his own...they have all matured into fine young men that I am so very proud of. Sorry to indulge myself a bit here,  but I feel this is as much a part of the reflection of a soulful life as any. As I look around the yard at so many memories and dreams that have been realized, I am filled with gratitude for a wonderful life and a well lived experience. Every moment of it, even the trying times, from the loss of loved ones to a few in our family fighting Lyme Disease and other issues in the past couple of years, has been a journey through the seasons of our lives that has been truly amazing.

"So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through." -Joni Mitchell

2010 Fall Season - On the Lake Nearby

Here are a few photos of the area around us. The seasons have progressed toward the current Spring season where regeneration and the years gifts begin to unfold around us. May your 2011 year bring you and yours love, peace and wonderful surprises to behold.

2011 End Of the Winter...Mt. Washington

Early Spring Pond Visitors...a bluejay and a hawk

Budding Peach Trees In the Last Spring Snow

A Lovely, Dreamy Sunset among the fields

Bradford Pears, Redbud and Japanese Cherry Trees along the driveway

Gardening, Patience and Lyme Disease -Gail Allen

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Patience is a virtue and gardening involves so much patience. There are times when you can create an instant garden, like I mentioned in the post below, but creating an outdoor garden and letting it evolve into a mature landscape takes time,  planning, a lot of work, willingness to change as nature dictates and patience. Our gardens have been a work in progress for over 14 years and are over 4 acres in size. There are evergreen gardens, perennials, a water garden, hosta garden, vegetables and woodland garden.

It has been months since I have written, primarily because I have had to limit drastically my involvement with a myriad of my endeavors. Right now, I am having to put most of my energy into my paintings as you can see on my Easel Tides blog: Easel Tides: Gail Allen's Artistic Journey.

Gardening is my second favorite pastime, which I have always also pursued with vigor. The reason for the abrupt stop to the gardening, and this journal is: About two years ago after spending weeks in April and May clearing out a large amount of underbrush, to plant a new area near a garden shed, I became extremely ill, fatigued and couldn't walk well - or for more than 8 to 10 feet, dragging my left foot as I walked. I developed a large (18" diameter) raised red rash on my stomach. Severe headaches, like migraines, joint pain and numbness followed. Soon my memory was fading, my words were slurring, getting all mixed up and I had a short term bout of bells palsy numbness of my face. After many tests and months of extreme pain and anguish, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. To make a very long story short, my point in this post is to make gardeners aware of the dangers of Lyme Disease. If you Google the term Lyme Disease,  there are so very many stories and sites that will explain the symptoms and how to prevent it. I will put a list at the end of this article. Most cases show up in June, July and August, as it takes a few days to weeks of having  (the deer tick), the culprit that causes the disease, attached, to infect you. The deer tick is found in long grass or brush and is about the size of a pin head. It can be easily mistaken for a small mole, or possibly not even seen, except for the slight itchiness at the site of the bite, which is not necessarily where the rash occurs.


I still garden, but for this year, as I undergo long term antibiotic treatment for stage three or tertiary lyme disease and the symptoms wax and wane, sometimes to a debilitating extent - I have had to exhibit the pace of nature - patience. The weeds are slowly taking control, but thanks to the drought conditions we have faced in this area this summer, the weeds have been a bit contained and some have even died. I've been somewhat lucky in that. I'll be posting some summer pictures soon. 


For gardeners of all types, I hope you read up and make yourself aware of prevention and treatment of Lyme Disease. Don't wait to be stricken. Cases are on the rise at alarming rates, it simply takes education of how to prevent being bitten - by dressing properly, using the correct lotions or sprays to deter them and checking yourself as you come in from gardening in your yard. 

Some sites to explore:

http://www.columbia-lyme.org/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/lyme/ld_humandisease_diagnosis.htm
http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme101/ticks/about_ticks.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000669.htm

Creating an Unusual Patio or Balcony Garden

Even when designing a small garden space on a limited budget, you can think big and use your imagination to inspire a noteworthy niche for contemplation and relaxation. Be bold, take chances and follow the ideas that "pop-into" your mind during the planning stages, these are the fuel for an interesting refuge. Trust your soul to give you cues as to what it is needing for atmosphere. Once you let the subconscious mind begin to create, you are on the right track to a great experiential garden. A great garden has attention in the details, so look closely at each area for the chance to add your personal unusual flair.
Every element should contribute to the peaceful restorative ambiance you are trying to create. Think of three levels of height, AND depth to your garden design; leading the eye onward and upward, creating depth using light colored leaves in front of darker colored leaves such as black, purple or red. Look for bluish colored leaves, as in an 'Elegans' Hosta, for a soothing effect. Yellow colored leaves bring the eye forward. Also look at the color, texture and shape of each element. Soft plants against hard surfaces, like a wispy trailing plant, placed at the bottom below a ceramic pot, which is holding a larger plant or water feature, will enhance the look of the setting. The cleaver use of trellises and  unique objects-including pots and urns, shells, sculptural objects, chunks of glass or gazing balls, rocks, crystals,water, candlelight all help to set the stage when you are designing your own distinctive personal haven.
For example: Start by placing a mirror on a wall, (or a metallic reflective element like that), behind a tall fern, or other unique plant in a corner of a balcony. Add one or two purple, red, or darker green plants. Possibly one that flowers! Always remember to plant in odd numbers of one, three or five. Alternate leaf styles-fern like, spiky and/or  rounded leaves. Next, you could use a medium sized ceramic basin filled with water and a solar bamboo trickling fountain - a unique garden feature for a small space. The water garden could be raised up in its pot by setting it on another planter pot, placed upside down for the mid level planting. Place a water lily in a smaller pot, submerged in your fountain. Add a few small potted yellow or variegated grasses, or multicolored coleus for color around the base below. Add an item or two of interest like shells, unique rocks, beach rocks, clear glass balls, anything you collect for whimsy and fun. This can all be placed fairly compact together in a corner. Use this idea as just a starting point- to get your mind thinking. Make it your own personal haven. Have fun. Think of decorating the space as if it were a room in your house.
You will be surprised to see how the sound of water attracts people's attention and draws them out onto the balcony into your serene garden sanctuary.

Some Wintry Beauty in the Landscape