“She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.”
~ A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young
Spring has greeted the garden.
The rains last week produced blossoms on the apple tree, and set the Wisteria, Iris and Tulips to blooming.
Maria has been working on a new stone base and platform for the St. Francis statue that graces the garden. A mysterious message: “finish me” – appeared to urge her on.
Between stones and mortar, she planted sunflower seeds in the Iris and annuals bed.
Rows of sunflowers will hopefully frame a colorful center of annuals and grace us long after the Iris have faded away. I focused on replacing the Little John plants that we lost to frost last winter in the entry beds. Ina strictly forbade me to go to the nursery in springtime. She must have known that would only encourage me. A mix of drought tolerant Lavender, Ceanothus, and Artemesia will provide near year-round interest – and their performance is proven through two seasons in the garden.
“Spring drew on…and a greenness grew over those brown beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.” ~ Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
The ten dogs that arrived nearly two weeks ago are gradually coming out of their shells.
Tails are less tucked and smiles quietly cross their faces.
They are gaining weight and regaining their strength.
We call them “The Reservoir Dogs” and you can read their rescue story by following this link.
Dakota is one of our latest arrivals.
He needed emergency surgery to remove one of his eyes – a choke-related injury. We are hopeful that the other eye has been saved; it appears better each day.
You’ll notice an unusual twist to his paw as well. While he does not let it slow him down, he will be having surgery soon to repair and restore his beautiful gait.
These dogs have endured some long hard days – like the garden has weathered winter. But it is spring again – and hope is everywhere.
Gardens For Goldens 
Thinking of and praying for those beautiful dogs. Thanks for sharing the photos. Spring is hopefully just around the corner here too…….fingers crossed.
Fingers…and paws…crossed. 🙂
What a great post – beautiful flowers, green grass, and pups on the road to recovery. 🙂 And, who knew your Maria had masonry skills along with all her other gardening skills. Your photos bring hope to those of us still living in the land of white. 🙂
Spring will EVENTUALLY arrive, Judy. What a long winter you have had!
Beautiful pictures of gorgeous flowers and dogs. The dogs look wonderful and I’m praying they all respond 100% which they seem to be well on the road to in less than two weeks. God Bless you all.
Thank you, Carol. They are coming along well!
Your close-up photo of the yellow and red tulips should be framed. It’s beautiful!
Thank you, Judy!
A wonderful post! The Reservoir dogs have stolen my heart, yet another incredible and moving story. Thank you Homeward Bound! Love all the garden photos, super nice camera work, Ogee!!
Thanks for not yelling at me for my trip to the nursery, Ina! Your newbies are doing well. 🙂