The new house offers surprises. It wasn’t keeping secrets, exactly, only biding its time. We came together in winter and were both tentative about our new arrangement. As the weather has gotten warmer I’ve discovered that the yard is composed almost entirely of clover and dandelions. The rabbits who live under the monstrous yews bordering the porch have no complaints. They are so entrenched and proprietary that we imagine it is something of a rent-controlled co-op with burrows passed down from generation to generation.
“They don’t even move when I walk out the door,” said the oldest.
And it’s true. Even the slam of the screen does not cause them to flinch. They sit all four paws on the ground, nearly always in profile, chewing quickly, and watch us each through one large, brown eye like chocolate rabbits on a shelf at the Dime Store at Easter.
But with the clover and dandelions there is a dot and dash of a hosta border, a few hydrangea and peonies. The first bloomed last week, offering up the deep, dark pink that I like the least. A tease. Then yesterday, white and blush burst, too. I clipped them this morning as the clouds moved in, afraid that a serious rain would leave the petals scattered on the ground. One of the boys has done something with the kitchen shears – “It wasn’t me!” – and I had to sever them from the bushes with a long sharp knife. Greedy, I took everything that was fully open. The plants are not as established as the first hedge that I inherited. Their stems not as sturdy. Their blooms not as dense. But their scent is strong and sweet. And they are here. And I am here. And we are happy to discover our delight in one another.
I would love to see the interior of your new home. The peeks are most interesting. Glad the draperies went with you!!!! The flowers are lovely. Hope your summer proves to be a very special one. I am alone this summer too, a new widow. Life goes on.
Brilliant!
Glad to see you and everything is blooming where you are planted. Unlike you, I prefer the red and the best red is 'Kansas' strangely enough. Myron Bigger of Topeka found the bush in his peony field and then replicated the bush. He was a small man with laughing eyes and he loved to say he didn't hybridize his peonies. He left that to the bees. They were better at it. And if you can solve the mystery of why mothers of boys never have any kitchen shears, I'd love to know why!
Patricia mine are not in bloom yet, excitedly waiting!! Yours are gorgeous!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Patricia,
Loving your spartan monthly posts. Pretty vignette my dear.
I feel as though I live in Ireland, we have a steady state of "dewy dampness" but nothing seems ready to blossom just yet. I find all the creatures great and small stand at attention waiting for things to burst forth. The greenery is intense.
pve
So good to read your material again!
The oft maligned dandelion is so much more; an incredibly deep tap root pulls nutrients up from the depths of even the worst soils. Greens are rich with healing nutrients and the sunny yellow flower fades the produce an exquisite example of Fibonnaci's Gloden Ratio.
Yes. I like this concept of "here-ness" Happy that you are settling in.
Mary
Enjoy your peonies! One of the flowers I truly miss, since moving from the Midwest.
Patricia,
So happy to see you settling into your new home with a sense of contentment …
And just thrilled to see that my favorite Le Lac curtains made it into your new life as well.
Some good things just endure, don’t they? Love mine..
beautiful flowers and prose, of course. but – my interest is piqued by that chair! expose it!!!
Absolutely love this. A snapshot of graciousness. Your blog is beautiful, love the new house.
Patricia,
So happy to see you settling into your new home with a sense of contentment …
And just thrilled to see that my favorite Le Lac curtains made it into your new life as well.
Some good things just endure, don’t they? Love mine..
What a beautifully composed picture that highlights your collection. Would you share the origin or maker of the vase?