Welcome to the Garden! We are a diverse bunch living all over the U.S. and the world. We love to talk about our gardens and all things peripheral. Pull up a chair and enjoy some flowers!
I had a message from my phone that I was running out of room. I had to do something. Of course, that meant getting rid of many of the 8,000 some photos — 15,000 unique items in all. I had already downloaded most of the photos to my PC and then on an external hard drive to back them up. I needed to get some off my phone so I decided to go through them and see what I had.
Looking at those photos reminded me how much my gardens have changed over the last 20+ years.
On that note, let’s march down memory lane.
Scilla, 4.3.22
These scilla are in a garden that now needs dug up completely since I had a new patio put in. It was looking pretty overgrown with zauchsneria, so it needed a makeover anyway. That’s my first chore this spring and it will not be fun.
We got snow this past week. It finally looks ‘normal’ if you could call it that.
It has been a winter without ANY snow. Literally we got some snow in the early months of winter and maybe some rain. We usually have about a foot on the ground from all winter and more to come. We just got about 4 inches total, although the high country got dumped on and now everyone is getting caught in avalanches. It’s a weird winter. I follow the science that tries to find ways to mitigate climate change. Anything you want to try, scientists, I’m all for it. I do not know what kind of summer we’ll have but I’ll be ready for anything, including a lot of wild land fire.
Daffodils with tractor, 4.29.14
The back garden has gotten more flowers now, and I’ve got it fenced off because somebody keeps sleeping in it. I don’t know what my lenten flowers are doing, but they are mashed flat.
Charlie on his Gotcha Day, 2.14.15
And here’s that somebody. We got Charlie a month after Baxter died. Look how young he is in this picture. He’s snoring right now on his cushiony dog bed as he’s getting creaky and a little deaf.
May 17, 2020 bumblebee on catmint
Catmint came into my garden wild and I pull it up when I see a seedling because it really takes over. The bees love it. My neighbor shoveled my driveway yesterday and we chatted about a spot he has which he wants to re-seed with native flowers. He keeps bees, so I am happy to host them in my yard. In return for the shovel job, I gave him what I had left of the wildflower seeds in my possession for when the snow melted.
Forsythia, 4.8.14
I loved this forsythia bush but it was just a major pain. If I trimmed it, the branches would grow back in a wild mess, and get in our way when mowing. I took it down one year after it bloomed and planted a silver maple in its place. The maple is quite large and, for Colorado soils, doing quite well. I have my trees professionally trimmed every few years and it’s helpful. This spring I’ve got to get out and trim off suckers.
Crocus 4.23.14
More spring because, why not? I have crocus scattered everywhere and they are already blooming. :-/
Iris 5.30.20
The iris are not my favorites but I do like them. This particular purple iris smells like grape juice. It’s weird, I know. I have several scattered around but I can’t get many to bloom. I don’t know that much about them, so if anyone wants to give me some pointers I’d appreciate it. When I first moved into my house, there was a side garden that was packed with iris. It seemed they were too tightly grown, I dug a lot up and moved them elsewhere or gave them away. I have lemon yellow, the blues, white and purple and a beautiful red. I have one that is a combo and hoping it will bloom this year.
Penstemon 5.17.20
The penstemon had done well for quite a while, then got choked out by vinca so I’ve since moved it to a different garden. Maybe this year it will do well.
Austrian copper rose 5.29.14
Another plant that I inherited was this beautiful Austrian copper. I take pictures every year. I had trained it over the arbor in 2014 and it looked fabulous. This year I think I will need to cut a lot back from winter wear, but it likes that.
Dill seedhead 8.28.15
I had a raised bed for about 10 years and finally replaced it with a little patio. I’ve planted a honey locust there and I should get some good shade this year — it’s fairly small still, only about 15-20 feet tall right now but doing great. I got some work done on part of the patio and I need to do more so now I need to line up a contractor. I had better get started on that.
Charlie enjoying his pool, 6.21.20
I think Charlie may enjoy this pool this summer. It has a leak but I’ve got the kit, I just need to find it. If not I’ll get him a new one. I like this one, it folds up when not in use.
Mount Sopris from Carbondale dog park, 10.17.23
This place hasn’t changed much over the years. Carbondale designated it as an off-leash dog park and Charlie always knows how to get here. The park also has a solar array and an archery range. It’s pretty big, and such a nice view of our iconic mountain! It’s a volcanic igneous intrusion. Fascinating!
My friend Marice, R.I.P.
I ran across a few photos I had taken of my neighbor and friend, Marice. She was modeling a tie dye shirt I made for her. Marice was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia and passed away in April of 2025. This photo was taken in May of 24, when she still was fairly competent. Dementia is a heartbreaking disease that steals your loved ones slowly away. I have been touched by it in many ways. If you’re able, please donate to either Alzheimer’s Association or Dementia Society, which helps with all types of dementia. It’s surprising how many different types there are. Most Americans have experienced it in their lives.
Violets, 4.11.14
Lastly, I will leave you with violets, for remembrance. Have a happy day!
“Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us.” — Oscar Wilde
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