A May Day Walk in the Yard

I start out this blog to show the beautiful Gardenia that has been offering blooms these last few weeks. I think that she has only a week or so left of this glory; so I wanted to capture it on film. I have done so over the years and she keeps growing; as do I. We have grown together as we have lived on Sugartown Street. I moved here at 21, and she as just a 12 inch plant with three or four leaves. I honestly didn't know if she would survive as I planted her in the ground. But, the soil here was (and still is) rich and fertile. So, for a May Day blog, I show her, the Gardenia, and Tom, and Masala, and myself along with the joys of our gardens and trees and flowers.

This is her, the Gardenia, and you see how she gently bows over the front walkway to the front patio.

May Day is a time for Love. I'm holding Gardenia's blooms. Yes, Tom picked them for me.



And, since the weather is so beautiful, a walk around the yard, under the Moon Gate; another pose.

The staghorn, above, was a gift from our neighbor, Sue. It was just a "horn" last year, and is growing really well this Spring. It is hard to see, but the wisteria is beginning to grow over the Moon Gate. The terra cotta pots in the back right of the picture above are growing lavender. The East breeze brings the smell into the house.

Tom hung up these little wicker bird houses around the house. He hung two in the corners of the house along the eaves. A house wren has taken up residence in this one. In and out, she brings the decaying leaves into the nest to create her perfect design. No fads or magazines or HGTV necessary.

These are pictures of flowers in the back area. I like to put some in pots and sow some seeds in the ground for a more wildflower look. There are so many pine trees and oak trees in the back that the natural mulch on the ground make it hard for seeds to grow; well all except weeds, but, if they have a flower, we keep them. You know, 'the well placed weed.'  The terra cotta pot has 'butterfly plants' and we do have many, many butterflies in the yard!

Our garden is just starting to bear fruit and vegetable. We have had a banana pepper or two so far. As you can see, the eggplant are almost ready, however, the tomatoes have a way to go.

 Tom showing me his "eggplant." It really is an exciting May Day celebration!!

I love the anoles. The "cuban" lizards fight with them. It seems that every year there are more of the brown "cuban" lizards and less of the anoles. Here is an anole sunning in the garden.

Some years ago, we planted three fig trees. We had to move them, for some reason I can't recall. I think, actually, we had to move them twice. Needless to say, two died. One, has taken a few years to come into it's maturity. This year there is an abundance of figs. I thought I would like the fruit, but I am not that keen on the texture. I will need to change my ways this year.  Maybe, dehydrated....

To all, some thoughts from Walt Whitman:

Roots and leaves themselves alone are these,
Scents brought to men and women from the wild woods and pond-side,
Breast-sorrel and pinks of love, fingers that wind around tighter
than vines,
Gushes from the throats of birds hid in the foliage of trees as the
sun is risen,
Breezes of land and love set from living shores to you on the living
sea, to you O sailors!
Frost-mellow'd berries and Third-month twigs offer'd fresh to young
persons wandering out in the fields when the winter breaks up,
Love-buds put before you and within you whoever you are,
Buds to be unfolded on the old terms,
If you bring the warmth of the sun to them they will open and bring
form, color, perfume, to you,
If you become the aliment and the wet they will become flowers,
fruits, tall branches and trees.

So, instead of a May Pole we hung another set of Prayer Flags. I think the Earth needs some extra prayers right now.

Love, Joy, Peace.
Brianne