The Oasis (From the front and side, as of July 1st)

 Sometimes I see people stop and look gap-jawed upwards toward me.  The first time, I thought I'd accidentally wandered out into the sidewalk-line-of-sight part of the patio in my skanky summer night gown sans bra.  (I often hang out on my patio in skivvies, but usually am careful to stay out of random jogger's field of vision.)  But it didn't take me long to realize it wasn't me.  Or, perhaps, wasn't just my rolled-out-of-bed scariness.  Patio gardens like mine are actually pretty rare in this stark apartment community of mine.  Three floors up, The Oasis stands out as a lovely bit of greenery in a sea of white washed empty patios.  You'll occasionally see bikes hanging from racks, or an odd pot or two, but usually nary a vegetable or bird feeder is to be seen.

One day on my way back from somewhere, I decided to stop and gawk, putting myself in the shoes of tidy dog-walkers whose patios were are as barren as the Sahara.  (OK, so I was plotting exactly exactly where I could hang out less-than-kempt without being seen.)  I took some photos for good measure.  This was a couple weeks ago, and things have since grown and been moved, but you get the idea.

I wish more people would hop on the bandwagon.  That way I wouldn't risk getting gawked at in my garden-witch-just-rose skivvies, watering and drinking tea, when a random jogger happens by.

Or maybe they're just afraid of geting in trouble for putting holes in the wood.  Ooops.  I didn't think about that.  (No, really, I did.  I just don't care.  :D)

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Back From a Chilly, Rainy Week in Michigan

The boys and I went back to Michigan last week to hang out with my brother while he was home on leave from Afghanistan.  It was a lot of fun, chillin out in my old hometown with the fam, cooking out and drinking.  Of course there were other activities thrown in as well - I went to work, hung out with a couple other relatives, etc.

One of the things I wanted to accomplish was moving some of my more meaningful Michigan plants from the old house to my boss/friend's yard, where they could flourish until I have a place for them.

There are a lot of plants in here, including several roses, a big mountain daisy bush in the middle, chives and mint that are a couple generations old, winter and summer savory, lemon balm, lillies that my mom planted decades ago - representing a bouquet of flowers my dad bought her when he was deployed over seas, borage, and a few more meaningful plants.

I didn't have a camera, so I used the crappy one on my phone to take some shots.

I bet this spot will be gorgeous in a few years.  *sigh*



I miss my garden!  But I'm determined to get over it and move on.  What else can you do?  

I was out digging in pouring rain in a blue and gold dress, surrounded by poppies and roses and flowering sage and irises and so much more flora that I had spent hundreds of dollars and hours coaxing out of cold Michigan mud, feeling sorry for myself, when my neighbor friend came over.  She told me I looked like a garden fairy.  We chatted and laughed in the rain, and I offered plants like I have for years.

At least my mark on Grand Rapids isn't doomed to degenerate into wildness forever, given that at least half a dozen yards in the place have blooms originating from my tangled collection.  That makes me feel a little better:)

A few last shots from my former Leonard St. garden.

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Cook Community Garden

Cook Community Garden, a set on Flickr.

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Patio Update in Pictures

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Pumpkins, Sunflowers, and Zinnias, Oh My!

I love summertime in Michigan.  It really does make up for the rest of the year.  Well, mostly I think so.  In the dead of winter ask me again, but for now, with cicadas humming and butterflies flittering and Lake Michigan calling my name, my geographical cup runneth over.

I’ve been so busy working and swimming and otherwise not being on the computer that I’ve neglected to check in every once and awhile.  But, the magic I started way back when the sun was still sleeping is really rewarding me now!

The squatty big leaved seedlings that looked like they could be fairy dresses?  They’re growing quite respectably sized pumpkins, squash, and gourds.

Those tiny green sticks that promised to be immortelles?  I’ve had dozens upon dozens of blooms.

And the tiny seeds I scattered out back, mixed in with the gourds and squashes and raspberries and sunflowers?  Blossoming in  gorgeous abundance.

And the sunflowers?  Oh, the sunflowers.  Every day I bask in their beauty before beheading them for use on my tables:)

There are tales of veggies and herbs on the way.  I’ve started a new drying system this year I’ll tell you about later.  Photo tutorial tomorrow, I think.  If you want to get ready to try what I’m trying, get yourself a cheap spool of wire (I used 20 gauge aluminum craft wire) and a couple ceiling hooks or plant hangers.  Yeah, you can see where I’m going with this.  Plot and scheme and imagine, and I’ll see you tomorrow.

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