Small Blessings

The other day I noticed that a Campanula persicifolia 'Alba' is reblooming. During the summer, I often forgot about this plant, as it is out by the street, underneath a Physocarpus. But with only five other plants in bloom now, I cannot take it for granted. This little plant is like so many things in life, good but not exciting, only missed when it's gone, but highly valued when all else is faded.

Now at Thanksgiving, it is a good time to remind ourselves of all the small blessings we too often take for granted: our health and the health of our loved ones, a roof overhead, heat for the winter, food for the table, peace in our land, the comfort of friends, joy in our hearts, beauty in the garden.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends, and safe travels!

Adventures in Welding

I finished my garden welding class, and I wish it had been longer. I have so many ideas I'd like to try, but I had to concentrate on my project, which is an abstract free-standing sculpture. It's simple, but it wasn't easy to do, and I do not recommend anything with circles for a first welding project. I knew it would be tricky, but I had a vision, and I felt compelled to bring it to life.

Today I placed it in its permanent position in the garden. While the welding and painting parts are finished, the piece is not complete.
I'll have to wait until midsummer, when the yet-to-be-planted ornamental grass, which is an essential element of the sculpture, reaches its peak.

Welding is a lot like tree pruning: it can be dangerous if you don't use proper tools and safety equipment and don't know what you're doing, you have to be able to visualize the end result before and during the process, it's easy to lose track of time while doing it, and what you end up with might surprise you. When I started the class, I was envisioning a single silver hoop. It morphed into a cluster of smaller hoops, then it became blue, before ending up blue and silver. I can't wait to see how it looks with the grass growing through it.

A Gardener's Wish List

Dear Santa* -

I've been a very good gardener this year. I put down organic fertilizer for all the plants that needed it, and I mulched everything well. I sowed seeds pretty much on time (it's not my fault I was sent Nicotiana seeds in Zinnia packages). I tried to plant in groups of three, and I am expanding a couple of beds to make them more attractive. I put up hummingbird feeders and changed the syrup often, I shared plants with other gardeners, I sifted compost, and I pulled lots of weeds. Can you please bring me one or more of the following items, listed in no particular order:

1. The book "The Garden Visitor's Companion" by Lisa Jones
2. The book "Understanding Perennials" by William Cullina
3. A long handled Cobrahead weeder
4. A fold-down potting bench, but I can't remember where I saw it, so if that's too hard to find, a potting tidy from Gardener's Supply would be okay.
5. A plasma cutter
6. A MIG welder
7. A welding helmet with self-darkening eye shield
8. A pair of Ethel gardening gloves, preferably in Snakeskin or Port Royale (I've worn a hole in the free trial pair I received at Spring Fling)
9. A pair of Rose gloves. Now that my Rose is growing I need to prune it, and, while I'm thinking about it
10. A gift certificate for a David Austin Rose
11. A Haws watering can (which can be seen being demonstrated by Carol here)
12. A trowel (somebody got foam insulation all over it and never replaced it)
13. Large Tub Trugs in green or blue
14. A digital SLR camera, preferably a Canon

Best wishes,

Mr. McGregor's Daughter

(*Hint, hint - for whoever pulls my name this year, you need look no further. I've posted this early to give you plenty of time to order online.)