Thursday, June 17, 2010

A Plethora of Peonies


From  the movie, The Three Amigos:

Jefe: I have many beautiful pinatas in the storeroom, each of them filled with little surprises.
El Guapo:  Many pinatas?
Jefe: Oh yes, many!
El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A plethora.
Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I would just like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has no idea what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?

Okay, enough of that.


With the rain falling outside, we closed the deal Tuesday morning. "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," holds a whole new meaning. I'm sitting here in my living room with greenery on every side, and in every imaginable shade, as far as the eye can see. The birds have formed a choir in surround sound and a squirrel is hanging from a tree, trying to reach a feeder. So far, no good. And, it's not like he isn't trying. They are a persistent bunch. Tenacious, even.

Last evening, I walked barefoot around my yard. The grass beneath my feet felt wonderful. There was the remnant of a mud puddle in the driveway from rain the day before. I was sorely tempted to walk through it and feel the mud squish between my toes, as I did about a hundred million years ago, back when I was very young. Next time, for sure.

There was a bird on the feeder outside the kitchen window I had never seen. Didn't get to my camera in time. A new bird book is in order. I also see the Reader's Digest Complete Book of Gardening in my very near future. There is such a thing, right? I believe a friend had one years ago that seemed pretty complete. Lost it in the divorce, along with the goat hoof trimmers. Oh, life can be so cruel. Right now, though, he's in Alaska visiting his son and has seen whales, dolphins and sea lions, all while on an afternoon sea cruise. Between that and his description of a colorful boat boneyard, the stuff photo junkies get their fix from, I have officially stopped feeling sorry for him.

Anyway, back to my land baroness duties.

Today, I tend to the great outdoors. And, the day after that. And the next day after that. For all eternity. Or, so it seems. A responsibility I gladly shoulder.

I think my radishes are ready. She, she being the previous owner, planted a garden before I entered the scene. She didn't know when her place would sell and wanted to be prepared for the summer. I have an already-planted garden behind high enough fencing to keep out the deer. Oh, I forgot to tell you, two deer were here to greet me when I returned from the closing. I introduced myself while they munched on the shrubs defining the property line between the not-exactly-next-door neighboring farmers and myself. Their red coats against all that greenery was a pretty sight. I'm sure they'll be back.


In addition to the radishes, I have beets, carrots, beans, potatoes, onions, squash and cucumbers. Also inside the fence line of the garden are several wild roses, lilac and raspberry bushes, and a whole bunch of peonies. That's Minnesotan for 'a lot.' A Johnny Jump Up infestation is, sadly, going to require some serious culling of the herd. They are pretty, but they are many. Too many. It won't help to move them, because they are attempting to take over the perennial beds up front, also. They need to be dealt with and I hate ending the life of any living thing. Especially something with small yellow and purple faces. This will be hard.

These pretty girls are hanging from a large bush outside my bedroom window. They look like little orchids. Note to self: Add flower book to list. I apparently gave away too many of my books, in an attempt to lighten my load before leaving Santa Fe.


I just took a break and went out, ahead of the coming rain, to pull some very ready radishes.  "Tares" have definitely come up along with the "wheat."  The parable says to let them grow side by side until the harvest, but I don't think he had my garden in mind. Just wishful thinking on my part. I need to wash these radishes and then off I go again. The Johnny Jump Ups are fomenting a rebellion.

Onward.












14 comments:

  1. Are you already almost moved in???

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  2. Linda! I look forward to reading the first part of your Vietnam adventure, as soon as I get time to settle in for awhile. So nice of you to send it. Thank You Much!

    Lynne, yes, I'm in. Much unpacking to do, but I'm here and getting grounded, quite literally.

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  3. Sounds like you are going to be eating healthy for a while! So nice to have a garden, isn't it? And the flowers that will fill your home with their glorious scent...ahhh!!!

    An Irish blessing for your new home:
    May brooks and trees and singing hills
    Join in the chorus too,
    And every gentle wind that blows
    Send happiness to you.

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  4. The peonies are beautiful, and I'd love to know what those other pink lovelies are! Congratulations on your new home.

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  5. Gail: I have a small bouquet of peonies and bleeding hearts on my dining table as I write this. A real treat. Thank you for the very apt Irish Blessing. How very thoughtful of you.

    Nancy: I'm happy to see you here and am enjoying catching up on your blog. I love that list of yours. You've had a fun and interesting life, thus far!

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  6. How EXCITING and NEW and BEAUTIFUL and ADVENTUROUS!! I am so happy for you and your brand new start. Pure bliss. I love it.

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  7. Land Baroness: All at once, you have stewardship of the land and its critters, large and small with river frontage. Yes, buy thee a bird book, let us know what winged ones inhabit your terrain. How close are you to a paved road because I am thinking of the winter snow? And, what do you do on your land, the first thing? You walk barefoot on it!

    Reminds me of Zapata and the Plan of Ayala: "We do not possess the land upon which we trod" and he helped start a revolution.

    But, you do have the land and you trod upon it with a plethora of good feelings. You have a revolution going on up there. Your own kind of change for the good and we will always be reminded of the environment in which you write.

    (Sage to Meadow, Jack Matthews)

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  8. My goodness, but your life has taken a new and serious turn since I last visited. A warm welcome to your new home. From your comments and photos, it looks like you will enjoy its natural environment. The garden sounds fantastic and how great that it was all in before you arrived. I'm interested in the log cabin, too. I wonder if it could be a Fine Arts retreat:reading, writing, photography? Enjoy...life is good!

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  9. congrats on your new home, it sounds heavenly and a garden already planted and producing and then flowers on top of that, what could be better, hope there are many toe squishing mud days ahead.

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  10. Jack: Yes, stewardship, not possession. I am just shy of one mile from a state highway, on a township road, although it feels as though it's much deeper into the country. Thank you for all your good thoughts.

    Kate: I plan to write more about the cabin. It would make a very nice fine art studio. Ideas are being considered. Thank you for your comments. Life is, indeed, good.

    Linda: Thank you! It's amazing, all that was waiting for me, all that I had on my wish list and then some!

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  11. I'm feeling almost giddy just reading this! You seem so happy. What a wonderful place with your flowers and gardens and wildlife. Do get a bird book. You will be amazed at the variety of birds in your yard.

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  12. Thank you, Cheryl, for all your encouraging comments.

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