Resting

Resting in the woods is something from my son's garden.

It has a temporary home in the woods.

Someday it will be back in his possession - but at the moment it is safe in my environment.

He rests along with my Angels, St. Francis and Sadie's ashes. Resting under the towering trees and on a bed of leaves.

So much is happening and as future unfolds - One Woman will share.

Peace, Health, Safety and Peace sent your way from the woods.

Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country

Anais Nin

Beautiful Woods

She ventured a little further into the woods. More comfortable she will be when soon the paths are cleared.

The May apples are in full bloom and very difficult to get a good image. The bloom is under the large leaves and a light breeze keeps the foliage moving. A number of images deleted but this one was satisfying.

New at this type of photography, she finds it so pleasing to take an image and hurry inside to download the picture. The image that comes up on the computer looks so different then what her eye beholds.

Her son just returned from a few day trip to New York. He shared about his visit and the beauty of the Botanical Garden. It sounds so magnificent - but if I had a choice of a garden of this type with a number of gardeners - One Woman would choose her ragged garden. A simple garden with a variety of plants that blend into one another. An English cottage type garden. Even with this late in life and simpler garden the work never stops. There will be pruning, dead heading, collecting of seeds and separating plants that do very well.

I do have to share that my gardens were not always ragged. A time in younger years when every flower bed was edged to perfection. Time has taken care of the desire for perfection in many areas of her life. She struggles with this at times - but it is a losing battle She does not like the fact that the terrace and walk is always covered with leaves and other items that come from being surrounded by trees. Some days she will sweep, use blower and hose off these areas many times - to no avail - in a short time it has the look she cannot - but will have to - get use to.

The wild turkeys have been venturing closer to the woods house. Callie usually keeps them chased away but yesterday we both fell asleep early. Not quite dark and looking out the windows their were 6 turkeys in the yard. Opened the door and clapped my hands and they were gone. Do not want them in my beginning garden.

Wherever you are on this planet - peace and happiness is sent your way from One Woman.

Surprise

A very busy past week for One Woman. Busyness had its way with her - both physically and emotionally. Most emotions passed through - from happiness to sadness - thoughts of past and future. This morning she is focused on today with thoughts of thankfulness.

She was pleased with this photo that was taken yesterday.

4 Oak Leaf Hydrangeas were planted along the walk to home in the woods.

With several days of rain - the woods look like a "rain forest". Everything is so lush and beautiful shades of green.

Two of the hydrangea bushes turned out to be something else. She will have to look in her folder of purchases to see if she can identify them.

The bloom is spectacular and is like a gift.

Another Beginning

Little girl - it is up to you........grandma did her part.

A good lunch and then on to the guitar store. She was holding guitar correctly and even knew how to use the pick. She picked out a silver guitar. Told grandma that silver was her favorite color. News to me!!! She was so serious and professional in the store. Maybe this will nourish the seed that grandma recognized.

A beautiful warm and sunny day. Need some rain.

My little one asked "grandma, how do you get old"? She replied "one day you are young and it seems like the next day you are old". "But how did you get there, is it because your a grandma?" ---- "I really do not know - I am still trying to figure it out -it just seemed to happen."

Two more "serious questions." "Grandma, how come we take our shoes off at your house?"

and - get this - "Grandma, have you ever been married?"

A day in One Woman's journey through this life

Second Week Of April

Two weeks of summer like weather. All the plants she brought from city home and some shared recently - have lived. A lot of seeds have not made a showing as of yet. The small garden for one boast 3 tomato plants, green pepper, red pepper, lettuce, onions, Basil, Mint, Cilantro, Chives, Dill, Sage (there is nothing like fresh sage for your dressing for holiday meals) and Basil. In the next few days - zucchini, yellow squash, cantaloupe, cucumber, green beans, butternut squash and a few other items will be planted. This looks like a lot - but - this is just a hill of each - enough for her table and if one of the children come by - there may be something for them. A friend always provides a lot of corn for her freezer.

A filling fell out of her tooth and a quick trip to dentist. It will require a crown.

Her daughter from Tampa will be with her for a few days - very soon. She is pleased about this.

She knows nothing about Bats!!! Under her umbrella on deck - she finds this creature - early in the morning. At first sighting she thought it was a fat mouse? Then when she poked it with a long stick she saw the webbed feet as it took flight. Because of computer problems she has not been able to do research on bats.......

Callie will not leave the little frogs alone. There are certain places at the foundation of her home and by some of the trees where they can be found. Callie - stop this.

Tomorrow when her son visits to bring some books he is also bringing her youngest granddaughter.

After lunch a visit to the local guitar store. Grandma is tired of seeing this little one strum this pink one. This talent or interest needs a little more encouraging. Time will tell....

A trip to Lowe's this early morning - to browse. She loves this store and could live in the garden center. If she has a choice of plants or food. She probably would go with the plants.

A confession - so she may be mentally off. 4 bags of mulch were loaded in her truck.

Usually when arriving home she can still maneuver them out of the bed of the truck and onto the ground or let them fall in the wheel barrow. NOT THIS TIME - she could not budge them/

Her mother's words echo in her ears - "you will know when you can no longer do something". Not to many years ago she would buy loose mulch that was loaded in her truck and she would spread it and return time and time again for more mulch. Her oldest daughter would say to her "you spread more mulch then anyone I know".

Luck would have it that builder came by to check a screen door that is not closing properly.

He pulled the bags off the truck for her.

A shower is desperately needed. There is a green and yellow film on everything. Her continual sneezing and nose running continues.

Enough shared at the end of One Woman's day. How was your day?

Lilac Bush

Her new header is one of a Lilac bush she purchased yesterday. One of her favorite flowering bushes. The scent on this new bush is heavenly. She wanted it outside her bedroom window .. no space with Rhododendrons and birdhouse in that area. Miss Lilac was placed beside the deck.
She will watch the Sweetpea plant and hopefully it thrives. Memories of a little girl visiting her grandmother her large bush always supplied a small bowl of the flowers that would sit on the kitchen table.

The image posted with this sharing is a flower from the woods. So pretty....

It seems there is summer weather at Woodhaven. Busyness is everyday. Car serviced yesterday and other town errands. Wish these trips could be avoided - she would surely be a recluse.

Allergy problems and computer problems rage on. She reflects and knows in her heart she belongs in "these woods". She loves gardening and feeling the earth in her hands. It is such a pleasure to be able to write about this, and to connect with those who share this passion. Sad, that there is really no one near by at this time of her life that shares this passion. Someone to walk in the garden, sit a spell and share a glass of tea and the wonders of the woods - would be pleasing. Older ladies in the past, she would visit their gardens - and always return home with a cutting of a plant. These sweet souls were the age of her mother and grandmother, no longer living.

This Spring the colors seem so vibrant. Is it always this way? It may be that she is so delighted to have her first Spring ..where her spirit resides.

A filling fell out of her tooth today - so another dreaded trip to the city in the morning.

She wonders - what her life be like if she did not have her gardening and the woods?

Enough said on another 80 plus degree day.

Wherever you are - I send you wishes of Happiness, Safety, Wellness and Peace.

New Beginnings - Part 2

The poem that was posted yesterday - I dedicate it to some special people in my life.

First - my granddaughter Sarah - has an audition with the Nashville Symphony tomorrow afternoon.

Second - my granddaughter Jessica - is working in New York.

Third - my grandson Gavin - will have an internship in New York this summer and will be abroad this fall.

Fourth - my son - will be spending more time in Thailand and special opportunities will open for him.

And fifth - not a special person - but mom and grandma - in her 3 score and 10 years - built a smaller home and moved to the woods. Bought a computer and a camera - enjoying writing and her nature discoveries.

A lot of New Beginnings in One Woman's family.

For A New Beginning

In out of the way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening:
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Holding nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.


To Bless the Space Between Us
John O'Donohue

First Spring In The Woods

It has only been a few days that the ground in the woods was covered with leaves. She now views a carpet of green. Daily walks in the woods and trying to identify the many wild flowers.
A carpet of green plants that look like an umbrella. Plants with the color maroon in the leaves.
A carpet of tiny pink flowers - at first as they popped up in her new garden - she thought they might be some of the seeds she had sown. Now she realizes they are just part of the woods floor. Wonderful ferns and wild violets are everywhere and she wonders if she will discover any special treasure. Since computer is not cooperating - it has been impossible for her to go online and give them a name. Trillium, May Apple, Jack In The Pulpit - are some the the names that come to mind. One of her goals is to be able to correctly identify and name some of these plants.

She needs a good wildflower book to go along with her bird books.

Another desire is to correctly identify the sounds of the birds that she is hearing. This may not become a reality.

While building last Spring she was introduced to a wonderful mushroom and wonders if she can spot them. She still does not feel comfortable having them as part of her dinner.

At dawn yesterday she noticed 7 or 8 Red bud trees in the woods at the side of her home.
She ventured out to tie a orange ribbon on them. Do not want them hurt or cut down as more woods tidying progresses. She only tagged 3 - did not want to venture deeper into the thick woods and possible fall.

She is continuing clearing her woods path. Her special "alone" project and over 100 feet has been cleared. Her rake and blower are her tools. Must be finished soon before the growth on the woods floor becomes to thick. It is enjoyable to her and special markers will be placed along the way.

Computer is still not cooperating. Special soninlaw brought another computer last Sunday and talked to "the company". Seems this expensive air card is running slower then dial up.
More updates to service is scheduled for July - so she will try to patiently wait and see the outcome.

The computer, books, gardening, photography are the main part of this matron's life in the woods. Difficulty in downloading her pictures has caused extra frustration this week.

Allergy rages onward and she continues to visualize the sold sign on the city house.

Some rambling from One Woman this cooler and rainy morning.

Within a very short time she will not venture off the paths in the woods. No ticks, poison ivy or snakes does she want to encounter.

Easter - 2010

The end of a perfect day....

I do believe - Miss Callie - enjoyed all of the attention.

April - Summer - ???

Cold and rainy for weeks, a few days of Spring like weather, and most of this week is like summer. 80's and higher - now how is that for April?

A roller coaster week for One Woman.

Week started with hours of garden time in the city. Continual computer problems and she has talked to people all over the world. If she could she would do????? New air card did not solve the problem - so when her son inlaw comes for family dinner on Sunday, he will try her card in his computer. Will know if it is the air card or time for a new computer.

Allergy has been raging and with her dry eyes - she can hardly see. She forgot about this problem in the woods.

On a pleasing note - as she travels the road - the landscape is ablaze with color. Every tree and bush blooming is a masterpiece. May be because she has yearned "so" for warmer weather and the "sun". The Spring sun feels sooooo good.

Callie, has discovered turtles. One Woman has rescued 3. Just looked outside to make sure the one put in the wheelbarrow - while putting Callie up for the night was still living. It has been placed on the ground and after checking do not see it. Travel fast "my little turtle friend". Also, gifts of a moles are being received. "Good girl Miss Callie". Tiny little frogs you had better move fast so you are not captured.

16 bags of top soil (40 lbs each - guess that is over 600 lbs - also 5 bags of mulch have been spread since yesterday. I am aware of a problem I have. Pacing myself and also when something has upset me - I over work!!!

One daughter - that will keep you young - another daughter - don't complain when you hurt yourself - no remark from others as of yet!

Lettuce is up about 2 inches. Some seeds thrown in garden area are emerging. Iris, day lillie's,

roses, hollyhocks, coral bells, ground cover, peonies, so many plants I cannot think of their names at this "tired moment" are up and a good size. Looking forward to seeing what emerges in the woods.

This small garden was created with no plan. Or basically in an area at the rear of this home and in front of the woods - she can view it from so many windows. Every plant just put in the ground to see if they liked their new home. Many seeds have been sown. But then that is the way she likes to garden. Just a natural look.

On a sad and emotional note - business that was created by a couple in their 20's and went through a phase of dramatic success then another recession years ago and the couple going their separate ways is phasing out. Her son CEO of this venture - his lifetime has been one of involvement. It has served all of the family well - but it is like a death.

So many memories have surfaced in her mind over the last several days. Memories that she thought had been put to rest. Tears - she thought she had no more to shed over many matters. Maybe the tears are good for her "dry eyes". lol

Also my special one has put his home on the market. She wants (with all her heart) for him to follow his pathway in life. But she misses him when he is far away and even though she always has been aware that more and more time would be spent over the ocean - just thought it would be when her life as she knows it now - is over.

So how do you share in writing

the many emotions that have passed through her mind. Almost like she has been viewing a film.

I guess that is what it is "One Woman's Life". Bottom line "it has been and is a good life - may she have learned well - all the lessons that she was to learn - and still learning.

She is preparing for family time this Sunday. Will be in kitchen most of tomorrow.

The big table will be filled with food for all to enjoy and the little ones will run in the grass.

This woman will have a smile on her face and there will be hugs to give and receive.

What does One Woman know - she has given her children roots and wings - and holds their hearts in her hands forever.

One week in the life of One Woman.