Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Come See My Backyard










Inspired by Wanda's lovely pictures of her walks, I want to show you some of the trees and flowers I love in my backyard. I planted every living thing in my yard as my husband was not into this sort of thing at all. He just liked to sit under them and enjoy them after they grew to a height that would provide lovely shade.

Actually this is the last of my garden before winter sets in. It is still quite colorful and don't look too closely for the weeds as I have not done any weeding for quite a while. But it is a lovely scene in the summer to come into the kitchen and look out the patio door and see them.








This is my huge old Mr. Willow. It began as a small starter tree but it split in the middle so I went back to the nursery where I bought it and told them and they gave me a new tree which I planted elsewhere but left this one in and it became this big big double willow. So it is the granddaddy of all trees in my yard.



Here is another shot of my favorite willow. Jon thinks the roots probably extend under the whole block! I love the way the wind blows the fronds of the branches in the wind.



And this is my sugar maple that I planted the year I had my first mastectomy. I remember sitting at the kitchen table crying and thinking I would not see that tree grow up. I made a sort of pact with the tree telling it that if it made it to the next year, I would too. Each Spring of those first five years I waited to see if the buds would appear and the tree would continue to grow. The second year, I staked it up again and when Spring arrived, it again had made it and so had I. This went on for many years --14 I think to be exact. Then my cancer returned in the second breast. The tree was robust and growing and I took that as a sign I would make it through this one too.

In 2008 I had to have all my trees pruned and my dear old maple needed to have several branches amputated ----like me I told her and spoke more often to her as she healed. This is just one small scar left near enough to the ground for me to take the picture. Only one big difference--new branches are growing on her trunk filling her in nicely. I'm not getting any new boobs!!!

And so my walk ends with my friends and my dearest, the maple, and she is still flourishing and looks great. We're still together--she and I.













16 comments:

Bernie said...

Oh Bernie, what a beautiful garden you have, I love the trees and the story you told us as you shared your pictures. All has worked out well for both you and your garden and who needs those boobs anyway, think of the comfort of not wearing a bra!....Take care my friend, I so enjoy reading your post.....:-) Hugs

Wanda..... said...

Good morning Bernie,
You brought tears to my eyes with this lovely post of yours. I think there "is" something to being in tune with nature that gives us strength and a wonderful outlook that helps us overcome great odds of all kinds.

I really enjoyed "your walk" and seeing that beautiful Willow. Take care of that Maple and may it thrive for many years to come!

Smiles and Thank You,
Wanda

Carol Murdock said...

Bernie, that Willow Tree is really AWESOME! I would love to have one of these by our pond! I love that you talked to your Maple! :)

Frank said...

Flower bed by the patio looks great! Cold and snowy here today, so the last of the tomatos have to come in tonight! :(

Wander to the Wayside said...

You continue to entertain and intrigue me, Bernie. This is a lovely post, and I'm so jealous of your being in a house long enough to see your saplings grow to these heights. It looks like your garden to you is as mine is to me, an extension of my home and a wonderful supplement to so many other areas of my life.

My Aimless Infatuation said...

It is beautiful,just like you.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I've always loved willow trees. So many say how messy they are, but the beauty and joy the tree brings seems worth it.

Great post. Enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

Nice blog Bernie. I am inviting you to Secret Story Time, my blog.

Come and visit, please, you'll like it I know!

Secretia

June said...

How wonderfully spiritual to make a pact with a tree! And it worked for you, didn't it! I find myself quite inspired to know that other humans feel the way I do about this stuff.

Deb Shucka said...

Beautiful pictures! I love the stories that your garden holds.

Angie said...

I have just found your blog and looked back on a number of your posts ...what a wonderful read. I take my hat off to you in admiration. I am 20 years your junior yet you make me feel you are the younger of us. I suppose I was one who decided to atlast grow old gracefully, when maybe I shouldn't have. I just felt it was time I needed not to think and behave like a teenager and no way was I taking HRT .... my mum coped and so would I. I keep the brain active and I have two or three passions but maybe I slowed up too soon.
I will be back to read more ...you are an inspiration.

Savannah said...

Hi, Bernie, I am sitting here with your daughter and I am so impressed you have a blog. I am so glad I will see you in April at Jacob's wedding.
Savannah

Anita said...

Bernie, I felt a lot of peace as I read your post. I love looking at tall trees and gardens. It's nice that there are segments and stories of your life that relate to your surroundings.

Michelle Wells Grant said...

This is so beautiful! I love how you think of these magnificent trees as friends. And they are! Strong, devoted, stable (that's important!) friends who are with you no matter what! Thanks for sharing!

Girl Tornado said...

Your garden and your trees are gorgeous - love that willow tree! I too enjoyed your walk, and how your related with nature as you coped with your illness. And you have such a great sense of humor ~ wonderful post! :)

Hummer said...

Miss Bernie,
I read through your posts and so enjoyed your views and stories. This one about the trees and how they relate to your life is just wonderful.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Ellen

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