November | 2012 | Gardens For Goldens

The Pineapple Express

November 30, 2012 by Ogee

This is what the moon looked like a couple of nights ago. (I’m not very good at moon photos, yet – but the sky is what I really want you to focus on. You’ll see why.) It’s a good thing I dug the Dahlia’s up. Because this is the result of the first two out of three storms we are experiencing. Our poor Homeward Bound Memorial Garden. Not to mention the soggy doggy runs. They call it the “Pineapple Express,” […]

Categories: Gardening • Tags: Garden, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature, Photography, Pineapple express, Rain

Heavy Equipment Gardening With Maria

November 28, 2012 by Ogee

Caution: Before using this tool, read the manual and follow all safety and operating instructions. Preparation: Dress appropriately when operating the tiller. Always wear sturdy footwear. Never wear sandals, sneakers or open shoes. Do not wear loose clothing that might get caught in moving parts. Do not operate the tiller under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Carefully inspect the area to be tilled and remove all foreign objects. Do not till above underground water lines, gas lines, electric cables, […]

Categories: Gardening, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue • Tags: bulbs planting, gardening, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature

Holidays Upon Us: #GivingTuesday

November 27, 2012 by Ogee

The holidays are upon us at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden. Maria was at the garden late on Monday, expanding and replanting the St. Francis garden; adding more than 200 bulbs; and generally enjoying having the place to herself before the big rains. Four to six inches are expected over the next few days. She was in the garden late enough to catch the solar light strands make their appearance. A touch of holiday in the garden. Speaking of holidays […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue • Tags: #GivingTuesday, Giving Tree, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden

Lifted

November 26, 2012 by Ogee

As we put hundreds of bulbs into the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden for next spring, it was time to raise the summer ones for winter. With more than a week of rain in the forecast, it was time to lift the Dahlias that delighted us for so many months. To protect them from frost and rot, they will be dried, stored in vermiculite or sand, and then divided next spring, so we can grace the garden again next summer and […]

Categories: Gardening • Tags: Bulbs, Dahlias, gardening, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature, Perennial Garden, Photography

Farewell to Fall

November 25, 2012 by Ogee

November served up a last magnificent fall weekend at the Homeward Bound Memorial Garden. When the sun is t-shirt warm, the garden is still showing off, but the shadows grow long by mid-afternoon, it is a perfect time to get in the last fall plantings in the Sacramento Valley. Before the December rain and cold arrive, Ina added grasses to the front-facing California Natives garden – while the rest of us focused on getting our spring bulbs planted. “Autumn is […]

Categories: Gardening, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue • Tags: Dogs, Garden Blog, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature, Pet Adoption, Pets, Photography, sacramento, Spring Bulbs

The Measure of Our Thanksgiving

November 21, 2012 by Ogee

“For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Through the simple act of volunteering to tend a garden – and sharing it with you here – a world has opened to me. For the community I have found, the endless generosity of others, and the countless pups who have touched my heart this year – I give […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue • Tags: dog rescue, Dogs, Garden, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Nature, Pets, Photography, Thanksgiving

Bring the Meeting to Order

November 19, 2012 by Ogee

Being part of a rescue organization, means dealing sometimes with sad news. But for all the difficult days, there are many more rewards. Lest you think that all are days are tough, I would like to share with you highlights from a recent meeting at Homeward Bound. Top-dog is a take-charge kind of guy, who definitely knows how to command the room’s attention. Type A is a perfectionist, excellent note-taker and always on the ball. This one is a visionary; […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue • Tags: dog rescue, Dogs, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Pets, Photography, Puppies

When Forever is Too Short

November 18, 2012 by Ogee

“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together…there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.” ~ Winnie the Pooh Shelby’s story of faith, patience, perseverance and love touched us deeply. The reward for her surrender to trust: she left Homeward Bound for a forever home of her own. ‘Forever’ turned […]

Categories: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue • Tags: Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue, Pets, Shelby

When Every Leaf is a Flower

November 17, 2012 by Ogee

Gardening was called today on account of rain. Lots of rain. Despite a couple days of dreariness, the trees and plants are deserving of a good soak after another very long California summer of endless blue skies. All are bowed in gratitude for a refreshing bath. With the skies temporarily parted, Jackson and I set out to enjoy the autumn leaves and color that cooler temperatures have finally delivered to us. Here he is posing. Please don’t laugh at his […]

Categories: Gardening • Tags: Autumn, Fall, gardening, Homeward Bound Memorial Garden, Nature, Pets, Photograhy