marvelous Melva's garden medley, in honor of summer's end, part 1 of 2

post #510                       

        My poet friend Melva sent me a single photo from her garden this week, and I then asked her if she could send some closer-ups...Actually I kind of begged her. I've been to her backyard, so I know her love of making a garden.

    She said that in checking around for these photos, she found more than she thought she would. Another gift from a garden. She grew up on a Kentucky farm, but mainly she gives meaning to the word "grounded". As she says, "the garden is for beauty and nourishment." And, with her, it's for sharing as well, and, in my view, making magic.

 Here's the single photo she sent me at first, of her end of summer garden in her back yard:

Then next is the first half of the 30+ photos, with the brief descriptions Melva provides!

White seashell cosmos, for the novelty:

pink to red yarrow, just for the beauty:

red and yellow Swiss chard, which continues to grow into late fall:

oregano, near the back door, for handy use:

 

last of the onions, with the last turnip behind:

 

green oxheart tomatoes, which may have to be brought in to redden:

lemon balm, for tea:

English thyme, also near the back door. This is one of four varieties I grow:

first, carrot leaves,

 

and then a carrot top:

 

picking the last big pepper  (only small ones remain):   

red zinnias, red/purple Swiss chard, and [yummy] carrots to the left:

purple basil planted between the tomato vines to flavor the tomatoes -- and also for eating:

Japanese eggplant, which grows potted on the back porch because it is the only way I can grow eggplant, keeping it as safe as possible from the attacking insects:

orange marigolds, to avoid garden pests:

Melva, thanks so very much. I believe the marigolds are considered essential workers, like we all rely on, especially during these difficult days. Please let me know if I misspoke about any of the actors in these sweet moments you caught this week. Bravo! I plan to show the rest next week, including your fig and fig tree.

Note: Yesterday I received the absentee ballot I requested in the mail. Now I will vote and then return it soon, signed in two places.  GO TEAM!

could have been any given afternoon

post #439
         Such is what I see just wandering around. If the light is OK, then there are many temptations.  This first photo shows the chicken yard, seen on a recent post as well.  I've now added a photo of the two ducks in there with them.  Both look happy and healthy, so it's just weird, but not harmful.  

       However, there is this pond close by where the ducks could be swimming and showing off their beautiful selves in the beautiful reflections.... O well. (Please notice the hint of cardinal flowers on the lower left of this photo.)

cardinal flower and attendants:

(R, fun to realize that we each saw the same possibilities for this same cardinal flower!)

     
        Later, along the way during a drive to visit some neighbors, I stopped a few places to explore some shapes hidden from the road:

from the family cemetery on the top of the hill along the road

different light, though only twenty minutes earlier

Back at the chicken yard (see fence behind), there's a new chair, back and all. The rest of the tree is now firewood.

           I would hope that some of the monies designated to build a useless ego-driven wall in the wilderness can be liberated to help out instead our near neighbors in the Bahamas.  They are continuing to experience such a nightmare after being under a horrible hurricane for days.  Food and shelter seem to be a more urgent and compelling use of funds. A bit of kindness in the world would go a long way.  Just sayin'.