A Good Day For Healing
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 7:20PM I was sick all last week, and about the time my fever broke, so did the weather. Fortified with antibiotics and steroids, I was able to poke my head out the door for the first time on Friday. The sultry, oppressive heat was gone! Warm still, but bearable with a pleasant breeze, and the sky was lovely with puffy clouds.
I got a book, my camera, and a glass of ice water and settled onto the patio for some outdoor therapy. I didn't get much reading done as I soaked in the sounds and sights that refreshed my spirit and body. I wasn't up to wandering the yard, but there was plenty going on nearby to catch my attention.
There was the view through the rose arch:
The Zephirine Drouhin rose on the right has been cut back and is not blooming now. It will put out more blooms as the weather cools. The larger plant that is taking over the arch is jasmine. The purplish tree seen through the middle of the arch is a Japanese maple growing on the other side of the front lawn.
I noticed how much the rosemary has grown. This plant loves where I have put it, near a concrete walk, so that some of the lime leeches into the soil there, counteracting our normally acid soil. The little Christmas tree in the middle is a dwarf Alberta spruce, growing in a pot:
Here are a few flowers blooming near the patio:
I was delighted to see this beautiful tiger swallowtail butterfly:
There were lots of hummingbirds, but their arial maneuvers were too fast for me to capture. However, my dog Lily was happy to cooperate for a photo.
I sat on the patio for several hours, until the sun began to set behind the chimney.
Can you see the two cloud people dancing in one of the photos above? The day came to a close, and I was feeling better.
Reader Comments (25)
Wonderful post ... I find gardening or just viewing a fabulous garden a marvellous restorative experience. All your garden views are beautiful ... and the view through the arch is another one! Great photo of the Swallowtail ... and Lily! Loved your clouds shots too ... had to look hard to find the dancers, though. I do hope you've continued to recover and are feeling much better.
What a nice view to look out on as you get better. I love the view through the arch. Lily is so cute, she does look like she's got a whole lotta fur :)
I'm glad you feel better! Nothing could be a more appropriate place for healing than your own garden! It looks summery yet! What an interesting thought about a rosemary. I need to remember it when planting more of it in my garden. And Yes, I see two dancing people! You sure feel better, because if your were sick, you would think that they fight!
Glad you are feeling better. My wife has been sick this weekend - hope I don't get it! As usual pretty photos of your beautiful yard (and Lily). I gave you a shout out on my blog.
Sorry to hear you were "under the weather". What a wonderful garden in which to recuperate! Lily looks like a very sweet dog to have by your side when you're not feeling well. Be Well!
Hello Deborah
I loved the views around your property especially the acer framed with that Jasmine Arch. My Zeph. rose is starting its 2nd flush of blooming just now. I must have felt so good to be out in the garden after being unwell and its just as well that its a low maintenance garden too as I'm sure it will take you awhile to regain all your energy.
Lily looks so beautiful and in that photo its like she's smiling back at the camera.
Hi Deborah - I felt completely revived just looking here. Love the abundant sculptured form of the Rosemary near the path and your arch views. Nice to watch the sun go down with you and hope you felt a lot better after this
Laura
p.s. I can see one dancer - bottom left
Dear Deborah, I am so very sorry to hear that you have been unwell and do hope that you are feeling more yourself now. The view through the arbour and beyond is magnificent - so much of interest - I am not at all surprised that you did not do much reading!
Hi Deborah, It's amazing how spending a little time outside helps heal physically and spiritually - glad you're feeling a bit better, love the sky photos especially:)
Hi Debs,
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better now, there's nothing better than spending time out in the garden after being ill, similar to the first time in spring after being cooped up for months over winter - such an amazing feeling of being with nature.
Your poor little doggy, but boy does she look happy! How sweet! :)
So sorry you have been sick. but glad you are on the mends now. You have a beautiful place to gather strength and find peace. Your clouds reminded me of how as a child, I would spend hours lying on my back in the grass looking up at the clouds discovering all kinds of shapes hidden in them. Magical!
Sorry to hear you've been sick, but how wonderful to recuperate on a patio with such lovely views! And what beautiful photos of the tiger swallowtail you got! I know the feeling with the furry dog. We have one I'm always saying belongs up north. The shedding is constant, and he doesn't even like going outside most of the year. Then we have another dog who starts shivering if it drops below 75. We are quite suited to each other. She loves to lay in the grass and soak up the sun. Oh, yes, I do see the cloud couple!
What a beautiful, restful, and restorative place - I'm so glad for you that the weather improved just when you felt like getting outside. And glad that at the end of the day you were feeling better. Lily reminds me so much of my own dog who is part chow and part border collie (we think) - she has the chow's heavy fur coat and the border collie's personality. Like Lily our Little Bear belongs in Alaska or Canada. She does love a good snow - and we don't get many of those. When it's hot she finds a spot in the shade and digs herself a shallow hole, then lies down on the cool dirt. She has a happy face like LIly's.
Deborah, I'm sorry you've been under the weather but glad you were able to get the better kind of "under the weather" for refreshment. Despite your illness your garden looks fabulous. I love the textures and shapes of your shrubs and trees. And yes, I see the dancing couple. They've got the best stage in town.
Deb,
Glad you are feeling better. Great post. We have seen some of the most beautiful butterflies this year, have'nt we? Lily looks like a real sweetheart. We have 2 beagles......
Glad you are feeling better and could enjoy the outdoors. You have such a beautiful garden with so many pretty colors. Also, Lily looks like a very sweet dog. I did see the cloud dancers. :)
I love the photos and I hope you are feeling better!
Deb, wonderful moments captured in beautiful photos. I am so pleased that you are on the mend dear lady.
You are surrounded by healing beauty ... hard not to feel elated seeing your lovely post :)
Deb, This is a beautiful post. It must have felt so good to walk around and see the beauty in your world after being so ill. I hope you are all better now! Lovely lovely photos of the sky, butterflies and your garden blooms and landscapes. Your doggie is so sweet. I think I do see the dancing clouds. ;>)
Deborah, so sorry to hear that you were sick, glad you are on the mend. And Wow, your garden is looking fab. If Lily needs a little bit of cold Canadain air, she (and you of course) can come up here for a visit. The leaves are just starting to turn, won't be long now before it cools down for the season.
So sorry to hear not well.
Sounds horrid!Glad you are feeling better!
Absolutely loved the clouds photos - so atmospheric.
Best Wishes
R
Hi, Deb;
Glad to hear that you're feeling better. That's a darling picture of your cute pup. :)
Hello Deb,
I am so glad I stopped by for a visit to your garden. It is so beautiful. I can only imagine how rejuvenating it must have been for you to walk through. I do hope you are feeling much better :-)
You have a beautiful place! I'm glad you were able to spend some time out there and are feeling better.