Changing Seasons May 2019 (Garden Delight and 2 Emily Dickinson Fame Poems)

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 Hello Everyone 

May 2019 went by so fast. The word that comes to mind for this month is “garden delight”  – because my time in the garden was especially sweet after the last two years of not having much garden time – long story – M-but this year – alive and fresh: hands in dirt – photographs – and more garden analogies unfolding. 

Let’s start this monthly recap post with a photo of lavender and a Carpenter bee. 

Carpenter bees like lavender (I like lavender too, but I think they like it WAY more). 

The Carpenter bee is one of my favorite bee types because they are large, velvety, smooth fliers, and have a calming presence.

 

Some readers know that I featured Emily Dickinson poems in May 2019 (MASTER POST HERE)

For the May roundup, I have two more poems – both about Fame and one connects to how “Fame is a bee” – ahhhh – just fit so well.

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Speaking of bees – Author on the Edge, Tish Farrell, has some “gorging” bees – and one was upside down in the flower – so fun – HERE

Tish said, “Yesterday morning I found our front garden – the one that slopes down to the main road – positively heaving with small bumble bees. The orange verbascum flowers had reached just the right state of ripeness, and the bees were gorging on them.”

Care for more info on Bees? Go HERE

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May 2019 had some SAD news. 

An old friend, Cathy from Denver, is in her final days of hospice – cancer strikes again. Thoughts and prayers for her friends and family. 

That is Cathy – smiling in the background (1996). 

And there was a death this month.

Two days before Mother’s Day, my husband’s ex-wife took her own life.  Such a tragedy and I will share more about it later- she was a terrible person – and that is putting it mildly (she lacked empathy as a high-narcissist with little accountability over the years) – but my heart still aches for that type of tragic ending and for the rippling impact it has on those that knew her. (Some folks suspect alcohol consumption combined with her latest bipolar meds Mae for a bad mix  – ugh… and so yes – I will likely address this topic more later because a former student of mine, Kaitlyn D., also had a similar ending last Fall –  similar drug and alcohol mix with use of a gun). So…. please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers as the summer unfolds. For some folks – summer 2019 will not happen. 

This next plant ties in. 

Rose of Sharon that had to be removed. This reminds me of an earlier Priorhouse post this month (here). “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, a time to die; a time to plant, a time to pluck what is planted”

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May also had Memorial Day here in the States.

THANK YOU for your service, dear Vets. “Don’t know you all, but we do owe you all…”

 

Shout out to our local LOWES Home Improvement store – they had this beautiful parking spot reserved and set up a thank you memorial. Such a small gesture but made me smile – then tear up with gratefulness. Such a good idea (and the red, white, and violet-blue blooms were perfect). 

GARDEN WEEK

Did you know the first week of June (2-8) is National Garden Week? Info HERE

If you do not have a garden – and would like to have a few plants – start with a few small containers.

Not only will you have some enjoyment, but you help the earth. You might even get some new ideas to write about – 🙂 

Want to start a small container garden?

Start with basil (something amazing about rubbing fresh basil between the fingers on a summer day). Maybe try some other herbs – oh – and peppers are easy to grow.  Here is a soup I made with foraged garden items – it only took five minutes to prep for the small crock pot:

Homemade Bone broth, sea salt, peppers, onions, basil, garlic, and grass-fed ground beef: SENDING SOME “VIRTUAL SOUP” TO SU AS SHE HEALS UP THIS MONTH

 

Also…

Speaking of Gardens –  Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch, has a garden theme for the 99-word fiction challenge this week (HERE) – she invites us to “…write a story that includes strawberries and mint.”  

Charli, and her husband (a decorated Vet – many thanks again) are also getting ready to “plant a new household” (after many setbacks and a powerful story of perseverance and grit) – If you want to sow some seeds of love by donating – there are two lists on Amazon:  Household here and Roberts Street Writers here.

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So how was your May? 

Would you care to join in with Su Leslie’s Changing Season’s Challenge? 

If so – go HERE

Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month. Version One (photographic): Post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month. Version Two (you choose the format): post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month.

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#changingseasons

#MonthlyPhotoChallenge

#garden 

#NationalGardenWeek

#priorhouse

 

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41 thoughts on “Changing Seasons May 2019 (Garden Delight and 2 Emily Dickinson Fame Poems)”

  2. I don’t know where the time goes. I’m just happy to be here day after day. Sorry about the sad news items.

    I recently decided to try my hand at growing a plant (I tried years ago, with limited success). I bought ivy. I hear that’s not too hard to take care of. Baby steps.

    Love lavender. So pretty, and relaxing.

    Happy June!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Tara – good luck with your IVY! Such a pretty trailing plant that should bring you some nice green- I don’t know much about ivy except that there are a few varieties and that it does “trail”
      And lavender is a plant I buy every year –
      Only once has it come back for me and growing it from seed Never works for me –
      Not sure why – but other items are easier from seed.
      And if
      You see mint at the store next times u are shopping – – maybe grab one be Use they are tough to kill – they can endure a lot and it is fun to have mint around –
      It is invasive so we keep it potted

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I did not know it was National garden Week. My garden is where I regather my sanity. I may have to join in on the strawberry & mint challenge since those have both been a point of my garden this year. Soup looks good. Love fresh soups in the summer.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Anita – I think a bigger garden week is end of May – but for club gardens it is June 2-8 (something like that) and the soup was so good – and be by later to see if you get to the writing challenge for mint and Srrawbeery

      Like

  4. Sorry for your various losses, Yvette. I love lavender and bees on it. When my s-i-l lived in Provence, we once drove to the lavender fields and even though the lavender had been harvested, the scent was marvelous. At the ends of the rows I found “leftover” stalks and managed to bring them home. Of course every market in that area sells lavender at low prices. I grew lavender in my garden last year but it didn’t make it through the winter. Today, at the first day of our local farmer’s market, I picked up three plants, along with some more herbs (I already have basil and parsley) and some Sun Gold cherry tomatoes, which taste like candy. It’s still almost too wet to plant them, though, so perhaps Monday will be the day.

    janet

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh Janet – French lavender is so notorious as being amazing and how fun to be in that area and so explore for some leftovers – truly a wonderful experience and is part of the France countryside that sounds wonderful – and I don’t go to farmers markets often but one year I bought a five dollar eggplant starter and it was one of the best plants that summer –
      The flowers were Gorgeous and it produced so many eggplants that I have away – I did make soup with a few – but what a fun plant

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I’m so sorry to hear about the losses you’ve experienced, Yvette. My family has dealt with the heartbreak of suicide..it’s never easy. Your photos are gorgeous.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. First of all thanks so much for the healing soup. I made some myself yesterday; so healing.

    I am so sorry to hear of the sadness and losses in your life right now. Sending aroha to you and your whanau.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks so much Dawn – and I almost left out the news – and just shared a photo post- but it was pretty big news so….
      —
      And wishing you a good week

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Beautiful bees and lavender, then some sad news. Such a tragic loss of life. Bipolar is such a cruel disease. It must be awful when life is no longer bearable – so difficult for those left behind too.

    Liked by 2 people

    2. Thanks a lot for your comment Norah – and I think a point I want to make later this summer – or at some time – is that people with mental problems need to not have access to guns. I am 100% for the right to bear arms –
      But recent news is that people with early onset of Dementia have to sign a document and state they agree To have someone in charge of their guns – it is becoming standard protocol or should be – and I think anyone on any medication with the side effect of “suicide thoughts” should not be allowed to go out and buy a gun – or have access to the ones they own – it might be an area that needs some addressing –
      Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment
      😊🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You know, Yvette, I think that makes perfect sense. There are have some tragic events over here where innocent people were killed by others with mental health issues. It is very sad. And they didn’t even have guns. We have strict gun laws. It’s a complex issue. Not everyone with mental health issues is going to harm themselves or someone else, but if a tendency can be identified …

        Like

  14. The lavender is pretty and a magnet for those bees. I had never heard of carpenter bees until I went to a butterfly garden event and they were buzzing about – the homeowner said to the flurry of people waving their arms to thwart the bees hanging around them … “they won’t hurt you, they are carpenter bees!” I am sorry to hear about your friend Cathy. Someone please find a cure for cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia – they are taking so many loved ones or friends of people I know. A neighbor, just 61 years old, passed away recently, having just passed her fourth year since diagnosis of dementia – she was in hospice care the last few weeks of her life because she did not understand the concept of how to swallow water or food so had to have a feeding tube. Please do not worry about sending man to the moon – find a cure for these demons first.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I wonder if it is the taste or the smell that draws the bees to it? We have a lavender festival in Michigan – it’s not around here, and photos I have seen advertising it show a large event and the lavender fields seem to stretch for miles and they sell every type of item made from lavender you can imagine.

        I grew up in Canada where Yardley Soaps and bath powder were a big item. My grandmother always had Yardley Soap in her bureau and dresser drawers for as long as I could remember. Her clothes and aprons seemed perpetually scented with lavender, even just walking into her room you could smell that scent.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Reading your post make me realise how life is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. I loved the lavender flowers. I’m sorry for your loss. I hope June will bring joy and happiness.
    Cheryl

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for the nice comment Cheryl – and I like how you worded it with the roller coaster – and June is off to a good start – hope
      Your month is a good one

      Liked by 1 person

  17. A rich and lovely post full of the beauty of bees among lavender, and the personal tragedies we encounter in life. The richness is found in between, in knowing how vital beauty is. Thank you for honoring vets and for mentioning our housewarming. I’m out looking for bees and flowers, too.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks for the visit and comment Charli – and cheers to the beauty comment – and her is to us humans lest I g how to give it more and to receive it more – 💜💛💙

      Liked by 1 person

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