View From My Blue Bench
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 8:50AM It started with a hummingbird feeder, a hand blown glass orb on sale at a discount store for less than six dollars. I felt a glow of satisfaction as I paid for my bargain, then headed toward Myers Plants and Pottery. I wanted a new shepherds hook so I could hang the feeder near the patio table.
Pulling into the nursery's parking lot, I braced myself for the task at hand. Myers is to an obsessed gardener what a Ghirardelli factory is to a chocoholic, but I thought I would be okay. I knew where the shepherds hooks were, and I already had my bird feeder. I could resist temptation.
There were many new plants and garden ornaments since my last visit to Myers, and the place was a festival of colors. My heart thumped faster and my feet slowed.
"Did you see the list of what we have on sale?" A sweet nursery worker greeted me.
"No, no. I'm here to get a shepherds hook."
"Hostas are half price," she smiled. I'm a regular, and she knows me.
"Half price?" I gulped and my feet turned toward the hostas.
No, no! You go get that shepherds hook. You can come back another day to look at hostas.
My feet reluctantly turned in the other direction. I was going to be good.
Then I halted in my tracks, gaping at a blue metal bench. A rush of desire obliterated all thoughts of hostas and shepherds hooks. My tongue hung out of my open mouth and my arms stretched toward the bench as its magnetic force drew me in. I stroked the cerulean colored enamel and then sat down.
"I love it!" I said aloud.
In a flash the sweet nursery worker was beside me. "It's very sturdy, and it's on sale."
"Sale?" I gasped. I was sinking, and I knew it.
No, no, no!
Somehow, I forced myself away from the blue bench. In a daze I found a shepherds hook, paid for it, and then drove home. I stumbled out of the car.
What have I done? It's the only blue one they have, and it's on sale!
"Lou," I called to my husband when I entered the house. "Myers has a blue bench, and I really, really want it!" Then I shamelessly reminded him of my upcoming birthday.
So, here is my new blue bench!
I put it in the front garden, and I can imagine how beautiful it will look against the fall colors of Japanese maples and dogwoods. I can see myself in the spring time, admiring the daffodils from my blue bench, and how pleasant will be the smell of nearby dianthus and roses!
Meanwhile, it's hot August, and there's not much blooming in the front garden, except for a few pots of heat stressed annuals. The blue bench adds a splash of cool color, just when it's needed. I sat for a long time, admiring the view and snapping photos of what I see, sitting on my blue bench:
By the way, the new hummingbird feeder is hanging on the shepherds hook but so far has failed to attract any hummingbirds. They seem to prefer the gaudy plastic ones I already had.
Reader Comments (22)
I love the bench - and what a beautiful setting for it! I have two beautiful glass hummingbird feeders - one is a blue orb and the other is clear glass. The hummers don't like either one and the blue one leaks. But I hang them as decoration and put out the two cheap plastic ones for the hummers.
Your trip to the nursery sounds like one of mine! Strange unseen forces pulling you in one direction and another. I feel like a magpie sometimes when I go shopping, drawn to all the shiny and brightly colored things. Add the words "on sale", and I'm usually equivalently sunk :P I love your bench though, I'm amazed you made it home, before going back to buy it. But your rationale is exactly the same as I would have used. On sale. Only one. Enjoy your new bench Deb, it will be fun to see how the view changes from the bench over the seasons.
Dear Deborah, How wise to have returned for the blue bench. It is a delight and looks particularly lovely where you have placed it. The bench has a sinuous nature to it and goes so well, in my view, with the trees which seem to embrace it and anyone who has the pleasure of sitting upon it. Yes, I agree it will be wonderful in all seasons. Enjoy!!
Your blue bench ... a good find! Enjoy :)
Give the hummers time and they will find the new feeder. They are just use to the old ones and will have to find the new one. The bench looks great and bargain too! I picked up two Half priced Hosta. I could not resisit the temptation. Even with little blooming, the green in your garden looks ever so nice!
What? You passed on the hostas? Just kidding. Very nice bench and some pretty pictures. It is hard to get excited about plants with high heat and no rain :( I am hoping that August flies by and Fall gets here quickly.
I love that color, and now you can boast both a fine husband and a fine blue bench. Happy Birthday!
Great bench! We love Meyers! They have such awesome stuff.....
Oh, I am so glad you found this bench! I would be blue if you let it go. It is stunning and the view from it so inviting. Can't wait to see it in fall.
Oh bench looks perfect in that spot Deborah - I hope you have many hours of viewing under the shade of those beautiful trees in the next few months before winter arrives.
Hi there,
I have the exact same bench up on my roof deck! I love it but yours has a much prettier view.
I have the exact same bench on my roof deck. I love it. Your view from your new bench however is much prettier than mine. Congratulations on all those bargains.
Wonderful find! Great color! I do love your storytelling and your shady garden walks. Isn't a bench a wonderful thing for sitting and snapping photos? I have three benches in three separate parts of the garden, but one is in desperate need of a makeover. Perhaps cerulean blue? I don't know if that old bench will ever get refurbished, as I cannot come to a decision. I will see a red bench in one blog, and get inspired, then a purple bench in another, and change my mind, and now here I see a brilliant blue... What to do?!! I think I secretly want a chartreuse green and am waiting to get inspired by such a sight in some random garden blog.
your bench is wonderful!!!! you did good!
I love seeing your lovely garden -- these are delightful photos!
Deborah, I love your blue bench! Right choice. ;) It adds a wonderful dimension to the garden. I have a wooden one right outside my studio window in one of the small garden rooms... I painted it periwinkle and it is a bright spot against the green of the spiraea.
I like the colour of this blue bench. I like a shepherd's hook too. Good luck with the new feeder! Hopefully the birds are familiar with this item and starts to use them soon.
Hello Deborah, I love your story-telling - I can almost imagine seeing you standing there trying to resist temptation!
The blue bench looks right at home in your garden, I hope that the heat eases off so you can spend more time outdoors enjoying it!
What a delight to read, Deborah! I could SO relate to the "being good" mantra that I routinely do battle with when visiting any hint of a nursery or garden art destination. You did what I do many times when I see something I want. I leave, let it simmer for awhile, call hubby [sometimes] then if it's really a must-have I'll go back for it.
Your bench is outstanding, literally and figuratively situated among your plantings and pathways. I love the standout-but-not-garish color and can imagine it looking great throughout the seasons. It was indeed a must have. Good eye!
I've read that hummingbird feeders are merely to ATTRACT hummers to your garden and that they prefer and should have the real mccoy--plant nectar. I haven't used a feeder for years and have hummers year round. I don't know what they eat during the winter but I know I don't need a feeder to keep them buzzing past my head whenever I venture out--a mixed blessing!
The happiest of birthdays to you!!!!
Deb - You are my hero! The bench is a work of art - AND you went back to get it ! It is kismet!
Hi Deb, your garden is so beautiful and your blue bench fits perfectly there as a uniting object. It added something to make it more inviting and homely. But maybe a small table near it will also fit for a cup of coffee while you are resting there, appreciating the landscape, or maybe reading a book. Oh what a hedonistic sight and feeling. I wish i can have a tour and a cup of coffee, hehe. Do you remember my post about Batanes a few days ago? They have several blue wooden benches on their garden, but i wonder if people really sit there because it is hot in the tropics without any roofing. But certainly they added charm and homeliness to the place. thanks Deb.
What a great present for an upcoming birthday, Happy Birthday in advance!!!!
Love the blue bench, as you know I love blue in the garden. My blue bench behind the garage is a bit unhappy, it is wood and a bit of an antique, beginning to give up. I think I need a metal one, lasts forever.
I love the bench! At least you have good taste, even if the hummingbirds don't. My wife and I are dangerous then we go to a nursery together. Neither of us has any willpower.