“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” ~ Author unknown Elizabeth Robinson Schwartz Her Unbelievable Comeback Story Search for stories that inspire, and you’ll find thousands. But there remains a comeback story you won’t soon forget. Elizabeth, or Betty to her friends and family, in 1927 at the age of 16, while leaving Read More
Category: LESSONS FROM THE GARDEN
Butterfly Fight
“Momma, Help!” cried my frantic four-year old. Stubby little fingers tightly grasped a long twig; hanging midway down the branch was a chrysalis. The transparent covering was split and just barely visible were the bright velvet colors of a Viceroy butterfly’s wings. It was easy to see why my son was so distraught; the butterfly Read More
Flight Training
Chester, a down covered Canada goose was given to me shortly after he’d been rescued. We spent hours together weeding and watering the garden. We quickly became a study of each other’s grunts and coos. And like I had done with my children; I began to interpret what each one of his sounds meant. When Read More
Change or Move?
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. ~ Martin Luther King “Is this dead?” my husband asked me while we were weeding the rose beds. He wanted to yank it out of the ground and into the compost pile. C “Be patient with her, she’s in shock, Read More
Trampled Growth
Simplifying life is a constant goal so planning a walk around the ten acres, I live on, is a vital part of that simplicity. Walking is a time to return to basics, away from the rush and push of real life. My surroundings renew the air in my lungs, the view for my eyes, and Read More
Among the Roses
Is there something wrong with that rose?” a friend asked, while she watched me cut back an unruly cane. The vigorous climber was selected to adorn the entrance of my memorial garden. Every spring, I re-direct, tie back, and cut off winter growth. “No, there’s nothing wrong with it that a little pruning won’t help Read More
Winter Prep for Summer Blooms
I know it’s winter and the garden is sleeping, but prepping in January and Feburary inspires prolific summer blooms. Here are 10 tips for your winter to do list: *Affiliate Marketing
Root-Bound or Opportunity Seeking?
Wilted yellowing leaves are the best indicator that something is wrong. A vibrant plant should be lush and green with good flexibility. But when the roots have filled the container, a plant’s subsequent growth fails to spread outward. The roots grow back into themselves and the plant becomes root-bound. This kind of misguided growth chokes Read More
The Legacy We Leave Behind
What we leave behind– “A righteous man will be remembered forever.” Psalm 112:6 (NIV) This year’s weather has inspired long lasting, multi-blooming roses. In our garden, I carefully select old fashioned roses for their fragrance and disease-proof ability. So while out today, I deadheaded and cut a bouquet of beautiful purple roses. Placing them Read More
Learning to Soar! Un-Encumbered Flight
Un-Encumbered Flight Snow crunching under my boots is the only sound around me on my early morning walk. Fresh snow with its pristine coverage mixed with the start of a new year gives me the confidence to re-make myself . . . again. As I make my way down the path to the Read More