and then came the Rain!

Several days ago the evening sky was lit up by this brilliant pink cloud, above which soared the half-moon. And then, last night it rained non stop... so much so that the creek at the end of the garden became a torrent.

But the blue skies have returned, the waters have subsided and all seems still.

We now have a menagerie of birds... scores of starlings, baby sparrows, an eastern kingbird, swallows, red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds, morning doves and, more recently a baby Northern Flicker. 

The rabbits have become more brave.... nibbling on our new plants to test them. And so I've girded the Bee Balm with a necklace of chicken wire to keep them out. 

The chipmunks don't seem to care much though and dash through the garden from time to time...even climbing trees!

Nicholas

The rains brought relief from the 90+ degree weather...today is breezy and in the 60's...wonderfully refreshing.

But before the cloudier skies and cooler temperature, yesterday this little beauty did some sunbathing near the feeders...bliss...

And even with the heat, we have been adding to the garden. Sitting on the step on the white pathway, I found the hot pink of the echinacea, warm golden shades rudbeckia, and cooling periwinkle blue of the Russian sage, provide a fabulous foreground to the lush greens of the field and the hills beyond...

At the end of the white pathway, we have hung the two Tibetan bells that used to grace our pergola in our English garden...

And the "love nook" just inside the gate (with the "love is all you need" sign) is home to our other wind wind chime, the Angels Unawares plaque, and tomatoes plants which are now beginning to fruit...

It seems difficult to believe that we have arrived at this moment, that we are in our home, and that the things we loved so in our garden in Dorking are here with us in America, bringing us joy and delight once more...and yet, it is so...what a wonderful thing, a life...

Judy

The Garden evolves

Yesterday as I was watering the new trees and plants in the garden, I spotted this rabbit resting under a rosebush. It watched me for a while, hardly moving and seemed quite curious, until it simply had to move.

It is a delight to see so much wildlife in the garden and, luckily, most of the plants are rabbit proof.
This morning, a pair of chipmunks raced around like two crazy drivers on a formula one circuit, even climbing up the fence at times...
Nicholas

Every morning we are greeted with this extraordinary view from our bedroom as the sun rises on the field and hills behind...

On the left is our newest addition for the birds...a little feeder in the shape of a bench...it is a hit with our feathered diners...

Just below the feeders, I have planted 6 large tomato plants in large pots...it will be wonderful to see what kind of harvest they yield. Next spring, I will work on creating a herb garden as well....nice to think of the garden evolving and maturing here in this landscape I am growing to love...

Judy

Housewarming...

Yesterday, we had a fabulous house-warming, with about 80 guests. The garden crew had worked flat out to get the garden completed by 1pm and it now looks fabulous.

This morning, we woke to find a menagerie of animals and birds exploring the newness of it all... baby rabbits tussling about in the mulch and several chipmunks chasing each other all over the gravel, down to the creek. Meanwhile next door's woodchuck came by and cautiously inspected everything.

Nicholas

Yesterday our home was filled with conversation and good food, bubbling champagne and equally bubbling laughter, beautiful music, Nicholas' film and artworks created a quite magical event, as we celebrated the skilled craftspeople who brought the design to reality, the friends who had the initial vision for the development, and the many relationships here in America that have sustained and supported us during this remarkable year.



When we first met on Iona and the trans-Atlantic letters, phone calls and flights began...I used to say to Nicholas, "Hang on for the ride..."

It seems fitting that this daring couple are doing just that....

Judy

Exceptional Rain

We've had excessive rain for four or five days; so much so, that the creek at the end of the garden was a raging torrent at times.

The garden crew have had to abandon all efforts for several days, until the mud dries out. The next big task is to lay gravel over a membrane covering most of the ground.
But yesterday evening, the mist came down and all was still, lending an air of mystery to the surrounding hills and fields.
Nicholas

Wow....there has been a lot of rain...

But all the cloud and darkness has created dramatic skies and equally dramatic conditions for the workers, who had to leave yesterday after only an hour's work...the slippery mud was unsafe for the power equipment and even the wheelbarrow tire was creating a rut, which was soon getting filled to the brim with the copious downpours...

It is a discipline, to be sure, to be patient and accept what I have no power over. This seems obvious, and externally, of course, there is no other choice but to do so....the big challenge has been to move my internal dialogue, my feelings, my thoughts....I usually do this quite well, staying positive and enthusiastic...but yesterday was tougher. I felt more like the weather, gloomy and overly saturated with emotions that looked like this sky.

Today is a new day, my spirit has lifted quite a lot, and I am aware that I am quite tired...it has been a big push from last May until now...in psychology there is a phrase called "the window of tolerance". The aim is to have a large capacity to field unexpected events and stressors...my window was nearly closed yesterday....

In the garden, the wind sculpture echoes the counsel Nicholas lovingly gave me...things change quickly if we allow them to...first one direction, one feeling dominates, but soon the wind shifts, the sculpture rotates in the opposite direction and the challenging emotion gives way to something gentler and calmer...as I grow in wisdom, I recognise that allowing all my emotions, all my thoughts, to be present...that the gift of observation, with compassionate understanding...this is the gift I give to my Self...

Judy