“I believe that gardens themselves are very healing. To be surrounded by the exquisite beauty of nature is to experience a healing of the soul.” — Author unknown
It’s gorgeous in the Shenandoah Valley now, and today a soft April shower is making everything even that much greener. The jonquils are in bloom and tulips just beginning to flower with the promise of many more buds. I’ve ordered several new David Austin roses to add to the roses that survived the winter (mostly Austin varieties so I’m sticking with those from now on), and the greenhouse is filled with seedlings for the vegetable, herb, and flower gardens. What wealth, if you count your riches in the bounties of the earth, and I do. I particularly love seeds. Each one holds such potential.
There is much symbolism in seeds. Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” And mustard seeds are tiny. I ought to be able to manage that much faith…
Daughter Elise and I save seed, and get carried away ordering more, but use them all sooner or later. And we share. A box of filled with ziplock bags laden with various kinds of seeds (I endeavored to organize them into categories) sits under my coffee table by the couch as I write. That way, I can sort through them at any time, know what I have and need. And I just like having them nearby. The table itself is laden with gardening and herbal books and seed catalogues…I’m seeing a pattern here.
“How fair is a garden amid the trials and passions of existence.” ~Benjamin Disraeli
“Almost any garden, if you see it at just the right moment, can be confused with paradise.” — Henry Mitchell
“Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God.” — Thomas Jefferson
“Why try to explain miracles to your kids when you can just have them plant a garden.” ~Robert Brault
“The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God’s heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.”
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, “Garden Thoughts”
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God’s heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.”
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, “Garden Thoughts”
Beth, I am not a great gardener. In fact I suck at gardening. Mama had a green thumb and had all kinds of flowers in her yard year round. Your yard would be heaven to me!
I miss gardening. In Florida, which is considered sub tropical. The plants in my yard are usually in your house if you live North of here. I miss the season changes and the rich dark earth!!! It's all sand here...
What lovely words and pictures. Beth, I wish I could come and sit in your garden with you. We could visit and drink tea and share the healing beauty of your garden.
Thanks all. I wish you could see my gardens at their best. Now, is lovely.