This was written this last weekend…so forgive the lag!!  Greetings and Happy Father’s Day to those celebrating with family, or missing their own father’s.  If dad were still here I’m sure we would be gathering around for some ribs on the BBQ.  I’m also sure that he’s enjoying being with him mom, dad and his son in heaven, probably having ribs if that is a thing up there. 

He’s always on my mind – if it is wanting to tell him stories about the boat ride yesterday, or about the failed garden….he’s always with me.  So…Dad…here’s the deal…..

A few updates on the FLOWER garden….

Last year I mentioned it was the worse year ever for the flower garden – well, I have news for you – this year is officially the worst year ever for the flower garden.  So disheartening and so frustrating, I just wanted to cry – and I did, leaving the garden in disgust and regret. 

I thought to myself “I’m so lucky this wasn’t my first year”, then I asked myself – well, what did you do differently this year, that you didn’t do that year….

Here are a few things….

#1-and it’s listed as number 1 for a reason because it is the most important one – I put them in the ground wayyyy too late, it was May 31^st when things came out of their starter pack, and into the ground. I somewhat had control over this – the garden was tilled and ready before we left on our trip mid-May, I totally could have hustled and gotten the garden in – but I chose to wait – for two reasons….which leads to the #2 reason the flower garden is a failure this year….

 #2-the weather went from 45 to 95 in two point two seconds – literally, it was March, then August….I hesitated to put the flowers in the ground knowing that we would be gone and not able to water the planted stuff, so either I watered in the greenhouse, and had the sitter keep an eye on it, or I put it in the ground and hoped it didn’t die.  I should have put it in the ground at the end of April – I think more would have made it.

#3-dirt….I’m not sure what dirt I used for what – but I do know for a fact that I only bought four bags of dirt-used that to start all my seeds, as well as all of my patio planters – which then I ran out of dirt along the way some place.  Then I potted up several seedlings to prepare them for being in their pots longer.  I’m assuming I probably used some old dirt perhaps?  I’m not sure, but I do know that things are not going well in the garden. 

#4-I’m not entirely sure that this is a reason – but there’s the time and energy factor.  But I thought I did a pretty good job of working full time, cutting back on my clay time, doing the Spring market, and getting the flowers prepped.  They had a great start, and I wasn’t stressed at all, until it came to May 5^th, when things were getting pressed for our trip, the weather started to heat up – that’s when things fell apart.  It took a hot minute to get around to tilling and prepping the bed….things just were not in alignment for me to finish the good start to the flowers.

Everything is blooming prematurely – I literally have snapdragons that are pencil thin, and in full bloom.  My freaking Bells of Ireland – that I fought so hard for, three inches tall in full bloom.  Goditias….pencil thin, one bloom at the top,….Pride of Gibraltar….five inches tall, full bloom, cress….spaghetti thin, 10 inches tall, full bloom…..how about Cosmos…yup, pencil thin, one stem, blooming– fu$* this sh#$!!  Sorry guys…but I’m super disappointed in myself, and the entire situation in general – so now….maybe, just maybe I might have a few Zinnia’s, maybe some Asters that pull through, but nothing at all like my first year – or even last year “the worst year ever” because truly – indeed this year is the worst year ever.  I didn’t even mention the horrid Sweet Pea patch….I’m possibly over it, but it could come up again.  I’m seriously considering just pulling all of it and just tilling it all under, why waste my time weeding and caring for it?

All of this being said – the perennial garden is showing positive signs of growth and producing flowers.  We did manage to keep the weeds down in there, and things are looking good – not as tall as last year, but they are looking good.  The raspberries look amazing, as well as the roses.

Unfortunately, our big beautiful pink rose at the top of the drive took a major hit in the ice storm this winter.  I thought I had managed to trim it up a bit, and was planning to trim it more as it grew to see what made it, but it slowly kept looking worse and worse.  Oddly, it turns out it was being overwatered by an underground leak in one of our water spikets .  It took a few hot minutes to figure it out – like three weeks of “why is this ground still so soggy” then two weeks of “gee I think maybe we have a leak” then two weeks of “I better get that dug up….” Then getting it dug up and fixed.  I am fortunate that there are two newly formed beautiful stems with buds in the center of the dead mess!  It will be okay, we will cut it back and do some repair, it will be back to it’s full glory in maybe 5-7 years perhaps.

Also, very important to mention here – the family celebrated with a potluck – the 50^th anniversary on the farm on June 10^th.  It was an action packed weekend of graduations, anniversary celebrations and graduation parties.  It was great to see the family and celebrate such important milestones with them. 

I told my granddaughter that she would be 57 years- old when it was the 100^th anniversary, I said I might be 99, but I wasn’t sure if I would make it that long.  They informed me that if I ate right, I could do it with no problem.  If the good Lord is willing to keep me around that long, I can only hope that I have my good health – both mental and physical, otherwise, if it’s all the same to anyone, I’d be okay with going to meet my maker sooner.  I’d like to live until the day I die. 

As for the boat ride – I will need to hold off until next time.  Hugs to you my friends!