Birthday Memories,Sadness and Plants form Christina

Today begin as a joyous day in large part because Emily, our daughter, was born thirty-one years ago during the  very early morning hours in a Lawrence, Massachusetts hospital. So many memories of that day including me leaving the car running and the doors open after I escorted Ann into the hospital. I sheepishly returned to the Honda after a nurse told me about this embarrassing situation. The hospital was located in what Emily would call a "sketchy" part of town.

Another wonderful memory is calling my dear mother-in-law, Ethel, to tell her about the birth of her granddaughter. Later we learned that she got on her knees to thank God for the safe arrival of Emily and the good health of Ann. Since it was very early in the morning, she proceeded to make two pies. Ethel was a great cook and baker. She gave one of the pies to a friend who will never forget the day Emily was born.

These cherished  memories are now tinged with the sadness because of the Paris terrorist attacks.  May all the suffering and pain be held in compassion.

Today reminds me that joy and sorrow can be intertwined and are so part of this unpredictable life. A little joy, a few days, ago was an email from Christina, a neighbor on Gregory Street, offering prairie plants.  Since I have a hard time refusing plants, and especially if they are prairie plants, I picked them up.  The six plants are in the picture to the right.  I am unsure about the type. Some are most likely bee balm, liatris, golden rod and purple cone flower.

It's a little late for planting. Yet because of the warm November and the large earth balls surrounding the plants, chances are good that these will survive and bloom next season.

 I removed a mature shrub planted six years ago that was taking over a substantial area and replaced the shrub with several of the donated plants. In retrospect, the shrub should never have been planted. Who knew that it would grow so vigorously ?

I felt some remorse as I dug the shrub out. The thick main stem and root required using an ax to remove the sturdy shrub. Required also was the pruning shears with the long handles.

 After much physical effort, the bed that once anchored the shrub now has two of Christina's plants. One plant can be seen in the picture. Two other donated plants are nearby and the remaining two found new homes in a northwest section of the Gardens and across the path. Note the rocks surrounding the bed. Much of the gardens have these rocks, used to supposedly control erosion. 

These rocks contribute to what I call "extreme gardening."  As you can see from the picture, rocks are removed to create a bed. In this spot the rocks go at least a foot down into the earth and underneath is a thick mat designed to prevent weeds. So creating a bed requires removing rocks, cutting and removing the mat, and replacing rocks with dirt. I guarantee that the entire effort results in a good physical workout. No need to go to the gym after "extreme gardening."

Tomorrow, we have a community work session from 9 to noon. Preparation for winter, including putting up snow fences and cutting back plants, is the order of the day.  Another workout, but not extreme gardening.  Come join us.