the Dandelion: a symbol of hope, healing and resilience
Seems fitting that it was the one flower we asked to be part of our wedding theme, much to the chagrin of our florist. Though they were great sports and leaned into our aesthetics quite nicely adding touches of lambs ear, chamomile and other wild foraged delights.
As Cassi & I celebrated our 13th Anniversary (thanks Garrison, you will be missed) this past June we embraced these same symbols of hope, healing and resilience and we continue to notice the correlations between relationships of people and how they can reflect into our relationships with the landscape in which we inhabit. Every action has a reaction and in order for things to thrive they need to be cared for and nurtured, but also they need to flourish organically and from season to season adapt to the surroundings and the climate of the moment. They need to be rooted in trust that the sun will shine and the rain will fall and know on the worst of days that a rainbow may greet the horizon after the stormiest of thunderstorms. It's these lessons of life and the intricacies of relationships that we find invigorating and stimulated by while performing seemingly petty tasks in the garden but also in our relationships. Not every conversation or task has a reward of the perfect dahlia blooming in the morning sun, nor does every lil chore or kind word spoke immediately fix neglected soil. I recall the old adage... the whole is the sum of the parts and everyday we wake we must strive to do our part to create an environment in which the diversity of all things can find harmony and fulfillment in doing their part!
As we navigate a busy schedule and stress about projects needing attention, sometimes all that really needs to be done is to walk around with a glass half full and enjoy the blossoming landscape before us and observe the life that is flourishing.
As time allows we have tackled the weed pressure that has exploded between our beds this past season with a robust presence of crab grass, quack grass and pigweed. In doing so it became apparent that our few inches of woodchips and mulch had broken down into soil and without anything smothering it, we had created just the right environment for this thriving habitat.
So section after section we are pulling it all up and then laying down a new foundation of woodchips.
Its always rewarding to see perennials that were planted in seasons past coming back with vengeance and vigor. Patches that produces a handful of blooms last season are popping before our eyes this season!
Every year we plant more and more flowers and now instead of flowers peaking through a sea of vegetables we are digging through flowers to find vegetables.
Finding a constant source of beauty to arrange in our ever growing arsenal of vases is a artistic stimulating project we look forward to every week.
Along with flowers we have had a steady flow of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, beans and most recently we pulled our garlic crop for the summer!
With a nice flush of thunderstorms even the local fungi has been making an appearance!
We did take a lil break from gardening and work in order to make a special vacation for Hazel.
Animal Kingdom
Epcot
Magic Kingdom
That's right, with the encouragement and generous support of Gramma, we all took the journey down south to see what the magic of Disney was all about! Probably not top of the list on places I wanted to go but to see the joy on Hazels face as she experienced the rides, atmosphere and characters she has grown up adoring brought great joy to us all and having a week without work, house chores and homestead projects was much needed!
As July finishes out and we roll into August we are excited to spend a lot of time finishing our mulch project, taking daytrips to the local lakes and ponds, catching up with lots of old friends and enjoying all those things a Maine summer should be spent doing.
Speaking of which... we had the pleasure of attending another great show which was highlighted by being Hazels first "adult" show that she was so excited to attend with Cassi & I. Being general admission we told her the earlier we go the better the seat we will have and after all the lines in Disney she didn't shy away from showing up an hour early to ensure she had the front row seat right in the middle of the row! Hazel has been taking violin lessons for a year and performed in her first recital this past spring. I was excited for her to absorb the banjo/fiddle duet of Nora Brown & Stephanie Coleman and the show did not disappoint! Highlighted by Hazel purchasing a few records and getting them signed. A wonderful first concert experience and the start of many more when the
venue and artist seem appropriate!
We hope you all are having a great summer, thanks as always for stopping on by and checking in on the current state of the Localrootz Homestead!
