The roses and cosmos are still in bloom in my yard. One rose has a lovely scent, and I encourage friends and family to sniff it. I enjoy having a vase of flowers in the house, but realize that in a week or a little more, they will fade. The…
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A Majestic Sight
Last week my sister and I spent several days in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We stayed in a house that was seven miles from the nearest small town. Lake Superior was just a little further away. One night I woke up at 4 a.m. and happened to look out…
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Mystery in the Garden: Cucumbers and Squash Blossoms
My garden has offered some puzzles this year. I have a cucumber plant that looks healthy but didn’t seem to be producing any cucumbers. I am aware that cucumbers can hide among the foliage, so I looked carefully. As I was walking away disappointed, I looked upward and saw a…
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Blooming Roses and Garden Success Tips
The roses are blooming a second time. I picked this rose with such a lovely scent and a few more flowers for a vase. I picked off two Japanese beetles from the rose bush. I am pleased, because overall, I have seen just a few beetles. In years past I…
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Gardens and the Gift of Life
Last Saturday my daughter and I went on a garden walk sponsored by a garden club. We visited five homes with elaborately kept gardens. After hard work the home owners had achieved a theme for their garden. We saw cottage gardens, a garden focused on native plants, a garden with…
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Summer Vibes at the Local Farmer’s Market
In the summer, Friday mornings have a special vibe. I grab my cup of coffee and head out the door to the Farmer’s Market. At the market people of all ages, children, and women pushing strollers are visiting the booths. I have some favorite stops. At the organic farmer I…
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The Summer Garden
There are many parts of gardening that I enjoy. I have a large box of seed packets—some are seeds I have saved, and some are ones I have purchased. In April I start plants indoors, and watch for a sprout to appear. One year I was pleased with a tomato…
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The Benefit of Berries
A special joy in springtime is watching the plants leaf out, and flower. I enjoy walking around the backyard, observing the daily growth. The gooseberry bush has little berries, but it will be a while before they are ripe. When I make applesauce, I will add gooseberries to the apples.…
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Nurturing Relationships
Sunshine and rain help my garden to grow. We have had sunny days and some rain, but I have been watering the new plants. They need tending. Friendships also need tending. Kindness and words of encouragement are a blessing in a relationship. I have been thinking about a book my…
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The Right Time
The lilacs are in bloom! Usually they bloom in May, but this year they are early. The trees and bushes are leafing out and perennial plants are emerging from the soil. I am looking forward to planting the garden. I have tomato plants, plus some herbs and flowers, that I…