After the Drought: The Vision (still) Lives

It was a long, and can I say, horrific, summer this year. Things became not so much about additions or things growing and flourishing, but more just a case of survival. Every day I armed myself with a watering can, sprinkler, and it became almost a full time job. Needless to say, I haven't written anything since.

We (my gardens and I) did survive, and I learned some lessons. Even my little oak trees that I watered every day, and my little Loblolly Pine that I got from the MDC last spring at the garden show lived, so it was worth all my efforts.

Some things provided bright spots in the depressing oppressive heat. I don't think my roses were ever more beautiful. And my garden, while the yields were severely depressed, had terrific flavor and quality to the yield it did give.

I hosted some animal guests, too. I gave help to the birds, chipmunks and rabbits that came to my yard in the way of water and food. They were also a cheerful, funny, and cute respite to the severe prolonged heat. I'm proud of my efforts to encourage bluebirds and this year they had great success in my new nest boxes.

They say there could be another year of this drought. I'm planning accordingly in a few ways.

One way in particular is, I have this one flower bed that needs renovation.  I studied a lot about butterflies this year, photographing and doing something of a "Census" to see what varieties live in my surroundings. I am planning to make the flower bed in question into a butterfly area next year. I'll be using natives in the planting that can handle heat and low water requirements. Yesterday, I ordered my perennial natives, and I sketched my ideas on a sheet of typing paper. It won't be exact but it proves something definitively about my garden enthusiasm AND my vision for the future. The visions lives and is very healthy. As long as this is the case, I'll continue to garden with zeal and vision for a beautiful future with living things. I still love to raise things. Some things never change. :) ~JB was here.