Words from the Heart

Summer days are getting shorter. The time for harvest will soon be upon us, along with the new school year, and a multitude of holidays. Seems like, this year, summer relaxation was usurped by the craziness of politics and the constant battle to keep peace and hope alive. But, as I sit mid-afternoon, with the sun pouring warmth onto my desktop and the green smell of a garden resplendent in the full bloom brought by warm days with plenty of rain, I am grateful.  Creator of all I see,  hear my thanks. Know that for each blossom I behold,  for each tree I hug, for each blade of grass that gently cups my foot, I give thanks. As the days diminish into autumnal splendor, give me the grace to see the beauty in a garden gone by, bless me with the faith to know that the magic of nature is not always seen, but is always there. Thank you, blessed Gardener, for the turn of the seasons and all they bring to us. 

Many people ask how do I stay positive in times of utter despair. I have several tricks, but one that has yet to fail me is to spend time in my garden looking at the beautiful flowers. I know many don't have gardens or access to them, so here is a photo journal of my time in the garden today.  Enjoy! All Photos:  (c) 2017 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas

As a little girl, I loved to read Nursery Rhymes.  One of my favorites was, Mary, Mary Quiet Contrary .   When I asked my mother what contrary meant, she explained that it was a word used to describe someone who didn't do things the way everyone else did.  I liked that idea!  Being contrary meant you could be different. As the years passed, I realized that Mary was being hard to get along with, she simply wanted a garden that grew wild and free.  No neat rows and carefully coiffed hedges for her! Inspired, my garden is a WILD-erness, too!  Here are some pictures to brighten your day, along with the poem. Mary, Mary, quiet contrary How does your garden grow? With cockershells and silverbells, And pretty maids all in a row.  

Over the past ten years, Roger and I have literally planted hundreds of trees, bushes, flowers and herbs around our home.  When we first moved into The Enchanted Cottage , it was less than enchanting.  Literally, it was a Cape Cod style house on grass.   Above is an aerial view of the house (red roof) just after we began planting trees and shrubs.  As you can see, it was pretty much open to everything. Now, however, our home is very enchanting.  We have hidden gardens and beautiful greenery all year round.  Friends and relatives love to come sit in our yard.  Animals - birds, butterflies, bunnies, frogs, possum and even the neighbor's chickens - come to visit, enjoying the flora as much as we do. Here are some pictures of our Enchanted Cottage, now.   The backyard filled with herbs, roses, flowers and a cherry tree   Path to the secret garden!   Wind chimes and prayer flags One of our many critter...

This year, the combination of rainy evenings and warm sunny days has created a rainforest effect in my garden.  The lushness of the green immediately soothes me on hectic days.  The sound of water running into our tiny pond, where frogs serenade us in the early evening, melts away the stress of hectic days. I must admit, I am having a difficult time keeping up with the weeding this year.  With all the warmth and rain, it seems things grow overnight.  But, there is a good side to this.  Weeding is meditative.   What amazes me, is that I can feel all stressed because I need to finish this or that, but, if I give myself permission to go weed for a bit, I find that my mind empties, leaving me with space to see what I need to do and how to do it.   In addition, I have come to realize that having a garden - planting, harvesting, weeding, and pruning - connects me with the seasons and the various phases of the moon.  Being connected to N...