Dear Reader:

I almost dropped my watering can yesterday morning when suddenly something startled my peripheral vision. Could it be? It was! A butterfly! After all these weeks whining and complaining about the absence of butterflies in the garden since (early spring -particularly after planting  their favorite “foods”) here came the butterfly!

It’s bright stripes of orange and black and white polka-dots  against the flower’s lavender took my breath away. Welcome home again butterflies. Where have you been? I have missed you.!

(Maybe they were in school taking reading lessons and could now read the welcome sign)

*This invitation extends to dragonflies and humming birds too!

For the first time, in a long time, the grass looks parched. The beautiful early spring shade of luscious green is gone…replaced by white and faded green colors blended into the grass. As much as I don’t want Memorial Day weekend ruined for cook-outs and outside events…I sure wouldn’t mind some rain during the nights….my watering bill is going to be extravagant if  we don’t get a good soaking soon.

Besides providing the physical need of water…one virtue that a garden demands is patience on the part of the gardener! I have had to learn this lesson the hard way…such as not to pull up a plant that is struggling or half-dead or sigh in exasperation when flowering vines refuse to climb. I must remember that life revolves around “God Time” not human  “wish list” time.

“All in good time” my mother would remind me as a child. My patience has grown (humbled by my own children)  over the years but I still like things done right now. I imagine it is a battle I will still be waging when my number is called up.

The first words out of God’s mouth will probably be: “Relax Becky, everything here will happen  “all in good time.”  (Always suspected mother was a special guardian angel from God for me.)

My greatest joy these days is watching the four Japanese maples (Eva Cate, Rutledge, Jake, and Lachlan) grow. It is one of my most favorite ways to tell time now. It is like I have four tree “clocks” surrounding my garden….providing more shade every season. *Photo taken looking out the kitchen window on the B&B side.

Like my Mary Engelbreith’s 2016 calendar cover says: Enjoy the Joy!

So until tomorrow: 

“Adopt the pace of nature: Her secret is PATIENCE.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

*I do believe God put a garden in my life to teach me this lesson! Thanks God!

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Delights of the Day from the Garden:

Harriett told me a most interesting tidbit of genealogy behind the two big yellow lilies that graced yesterday’s blog….their origin….how they got their names. (Those blooms were so big…a hibiscus bloom would pale beside them.)

Glad you got the yellow one. It’s name is “Look here Mary.” The creator of the one was as amazed as you were when it bloomed for the first time and excitedly called his wife to come see the beauty they had. At least this is the story my Dad told about it. They were members of the Day Lily club and crossed and created several blossoms but none this pretty. Enjoy.