Life as I know It

My photo
San Luis Obispo, California, and South Bristol, Maine, United States
Author ~ Illustrator ~ Lecturer

Friday, May 16, 2014

House of Boughs, Walls of Leaves, A Carpet of Wildflowers




Who won the big drawing for the Serenity Health and Home Decor outdoor fire pit?
Stay tuned and read to the end of the posting!



Dear Friends,

Maybe it is belated spring fever, but right now all I can think of is that I want to simplify my life. I want to live in a house of boughs with leafy walls and a soft carpet of wildflowers and herbs. At night, glowworms and fireflies will light my home. By day, the shifting shadows of sunshine will warm it and birdsong will be my music. And cleaning it? A heather broom, a watering can, and some helpful worms. What could be better?

I am thinking of you out there...all of you who are dealing with wildfires, "firenadoes" (a new word to describe a tornado-like whirling fire in California), flooding, intense heat, and tornadoes. This is a tough time throughout our land, and we need to draw together and help each other.

SIMPLIFY

Today I am taking a load of good things to our local Hospice Store. Sure, they're good enough to sell, but I want to gift them to someone deserving, someone who may not have the income to treat himself/herself to something besides groceries and gasoline.


These sweet cups, saucers, and creamer are headed for Hospice today.

Cleaning out cupboards and chests feels GOOD. I urge you to paw through your goodies and share them with others.

INTO THE GARDEN


All the artichokes on my healthy plants burned up in the heat. This was the last harvest.

Last week Jeff and I hosted a wonderful garden walk/talk with a group of California Native Plant Society Members. Thank heavens it was last week because this week has been a disaster. Heat of up to 105 and plants reduced to what look like piles of ashes. EVEN THE NATIVE PLANTS. Nothing survives such an extended drought and high, high heat. Jeff and I take short showers and cart buckets of water out to my potted herbs. That's all we can do to maintain.


The gate and arbor Jeff built for me. Peephole is an antique found in a vintage shop.


Before the crowds and the heat.


The last of the chokes. Note that all the beds have been heavily mulched with an under-layer of compost and worms.


Under the grape arbor for some drinks, conversation, and questions.



I love real dig-in-the-soil-and-wreck-your-fingernails gardeners.

Here is a short video I made of my little garden the day before the garden walk. I hope you enjoy it.



And now...DRUM ROLL. The random number generator chose as the winner of the drawing for the fabulous fire pit, donated by Serenity Health and Home Decor, is Sharon Calvert from Alabama's Gulf coast. (Sharon, e-mail us your shipping address.)


You'll love having this in your garden. My family likes to sit around ours, toast marshmallows, and tell creepy stories. The creepier the better.

All joys to you!

Sharon