Tulips
Hyacinth
Ceanothus
Lavatera
Anemone
Love. ❤
“If you don’t get lost, there’s a chance you may never be found.” ~ Author Unknown
I’m going to get lost for a week or so. Time to take a travel break and find some serenity, inspiration and rejuvenation where there is rain and lush, green forests. Ina and Anna will tend to the garden as Maria is also away. Who knows what mischief they will get into?!
When the cat’s away…
Spring is quickly slipping by. I said farewell to its blooms today in case they are not here when I return.
All signs point to summer’s arrival including the sprouting of sunflowers,
dahlias,
and the nesting mourning doves in the garden trees.
I feel better about leaving knowing that this pup has left as well.
Junior was the last of our hunting dogs. Deaf, it took a little while longer to get him home. But home he went this weekend, with previous adopters who gave Lisa (now Ellie) her new chance at life.
His new people are renaming him “Orion” – for the Greek hunter – and the constellation by the same name. Not that he can hear it. But no matter. I’m pretty sure he knows that his life just got much brighter. Instead of chasing ducks in a field, he can light up the lives of his new people.
Happy life, Orion. We’re going to miss you.
And happy week to all of you. Aloha. See you soon.
April showers bring … April flowers. In abundance.
The garden is in full bloom making my early morning arrival extra special.
“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Last week: five long-term residents went home. This week: five arrived in one day. Plus three more for good measure throughout the week.
The universe seeks balance, I guess. No rest for the weary.
We have a new addition to the garden: a beautiful bird bath.
Maria made it for Jody, our president who, with her husband, imagined this whole Homeward Bound effort and works tirelessly to sustain it. It’s the perfect centerpiece for her special bed in the garden.
As beautiful as they are, the flowers in the garden have tough competition from the pups named for flowers. Iris…
Rose,
Sweet William,
and Stephanotis.
All spoken for – from a long list of families that have waited a long time for these rare arrivals.
Until their going home days…we’ll enjoy watching them bloom, as well.
To my frozen blogger friends and family on the east coast, I send a tiny bit of spring and offer this deal: if you’ll send water in form of melted snow and ice, we’ll keep sending flowers. 🙂
“The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination.” ~ Terri Guillemets
Oops…those sneaky dogs!!
Stay warm all (and use lots and lots of imagination until spring).
“Gardens are made of darkness and light entwined.” ~ F.T. McKinstry
Our Homeward Bound Memorial Garden was gifted with light, bright sunshine on Saturday…
And dark, grey skies on Sunday.
A blessing that means much-needed rain again tonight. Last week’s storms produced a profusion of blooms…
and delivered a huge undertaking for our rescue – one that we gladly take on. Two van loads; ten dogs; twelve hundred miles to bring them to safety. I’ll be able to share their full story with you soon (as soon as I finish writing it!) Gorgeous all…and all in need of significant care –
for untreated medical issues –
and human socialization.
From darkness to light. Like the spring unfolding around them –
the best is yet to be.
“All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.” ~ Helen Hayes
My friend Tanner is still dreaming…while I am working.
But what a wonderful feeling to weed and mow and trim as the Memorial Garden bursts forth around me.
Two different visitors confessed today that they never believed this garden would be realized.
I guess there is no telling what a few devoted gardeners can accomplish.
All of last season’s hard work is evident again.
Even those we thought were lost, like this butterfly twig bush is now making a comeback.
“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.” ~ Geoffrey B. Charlesworth
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” ~ Margaret Atwood
Dirt, and dogs, I say. And I so happily do.