A little later I decided that I'd just go outside and take some pictures. I noticed some things that I hadn't noticed while I'd been cleaning up. The more I took the time to look around, the better I started to feel.
Noticing the neat color changes on the new Ninebark (Physocarpus) 'Coppertina' was the first thing that caught my eye.
Not far from it was the Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechola macra) 'All Gold' that I noticed was taking on this purplish-red color.
I saw that the Clematis 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' had a flower blooming on it.
Looking down our path I realized that the leaves that had fallen at the far end actually looked pretty from here, not as annoying as they seemed when I looked out our bedroom window this morning and saw them from another angle.
I took the time to look up at our large Japanese Maple to see how much of had already turned yellow.
Then birds started landing in the Mountain Ash behind our yard to call to each other about the berries. As the Robins enjoyed their feast other birds came to our yard to eat from the feeders.
The smiling face of our Woodland fairy made me feel happy that she looked just perfect against the Pine tree bark. A tree that usually drives me crazy this time of year with all the needles it drops everywhere. Looking at how pretty the bark is, made me like this tree again.
And the reward of seeing that the Oriental Poppy 'Princess Victoria Louise' that I transplanted during the heat of the summer and then never remembered to water, actually is still alive. Even better was that the place I moved her from I accidentally left roots behind, which also have new growth coming up.I realized after taking the time to see the rewards the garden gave back to me on a day I started out in a bad mood, I suddenly felt happier and refreshed. This is my therapy and this is why I need my garden and why it's worth all the work. And I'm sure the ice cream sundae helped some too :)
Isn't that the way it usually works? My garden is absolutely therapy, for me at least.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, ice cream always helps, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI agree, looking around at the details in our gardens, what a mood lifter!
Hi Catherine~~ When I see GARDEN and THERAPY in the same sentence, I know I'm going to relate. I love every word of this post! I laughed at "...woke up crabby" and thought, now there's an honest woman! And your conclusion, why you NEED your garden and why it's worth the work, only a passionate gardener can understand. And I'm glad your Oriental poppy is happy--both of them!
ReplyDeleteIce cream cures all...lol! But a beautiful garden can take away the crabbiness without the calories...I love the ninebark and the yellow foliage~what a beautiful view, Catherine!
ReplyDeleteGardening lifts my spirits too. Seems like with the cooler temps, we are all able to leisurely take the time to look more closely and see things we missed during the intense heat of a few weeks ago. An ice cream sundae is good for any occasion!
ReplyDeleteIce cream is a good idea, but just getting outside and seeing what the plants do while you are not watching. I have a yucca plant that died, so I thought, but it recently sent up soft leaves that are turning into stiff yucca leaves. Maybe next spring it will actually bloom again. I like all of your photo studies and the comments. We all get in to the same boat sometimes.
ReplyDeleteGardening is indeed therapy. An ice cream sundae is a good mood-lifter too.
ReplyDeleteI didn't start out crabby, in fact, just the opposite. But it was still hard to get my rear in gear and get out there and garden. I knew I had to take advantage of the fact that it was not raining, and get some chores done that have been on a back burner. In my case, I ended the day with a sore back and a creme brulee. That worked too!
ReplyDeleteYour therapy is great. I also follow it and it always works! The pictures are lovely, even though there are less flowers.
ReplyDeleteBeing out in the garden lifts my spirits, too. I enjoyed seeing what you saw. Lovely words and photos!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, your garden is so pretty, it's no wonder it improved your mood and lifted your spirits.
ReplyDeleteIce cream never hurts either!
if not for my gardens and greenhouse...I'd surely be in a mental unit somewhere! lol
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog!! Your garden and pictures - all lovely! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Karen
Wow! The red and gold of the autumn is truly refreshing and therapeutic. I definitely need this therapy... Thank you, Catherine :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I loved the story arc of your character. hehe. I do know how you feel. I think I have been feeling the same way. I blamed it on the sudden turn of weather we have been having. I'm still waiting for things to die down so I haven't been able to the clean up and mulching. I never thought to use an icecream sunday. And this is why your a better gardener. hehe
ReplyDeleteI agree! Garden and gardening IS therapy and the best kind. I love the pictures viewing your garden path and that Japanese maple of your... mmm... It's huge and beautiful! Do know know its name? hope you feel even better today / gittan
ReplyDeleteNice post :). Thanks for sharing your photos with us. Fantastic Japanese Maple.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love most is your path area with the trelis, the golden Japanese maple and your Woodland Fairy. You have such lovely pictures, looking at your blog is garden therapy for me!
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how much a spell in the garden can lift all sorts of dark clouds. You must have been delighted to see that poppy not just once but twice :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post Catherine. I love the picture of your path with the arch. Our gardens give us so much, even when we feel they are work, work, work.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on other things lately so there is quite a bit to do in the gardens. I hope to enjoy rather than stress and see the beauty that surrounds me.
Have a lovely day ~ FlowerLady
Oh Catherine, this is just delicious and so true! Nothing brings us back into balance like some quality time in the garden. It is better therapy than anything else, you have said it succinctly. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
I don't believe the ice cream had anything to do with helping your mood at all!
ReplyDeleteCatherine .. I need MORE of this too ! Great pictures girl .. and my poppies have put on remarkable growth as well : ) You have to love that as a sneak preview for what will come in Spring ?
ReplyDeleteJoy
So I'm wondering which one helped most-the sundae or gardening? Methinks the gardening works off the sundae but they both equal a great day:)
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteLoved the Fairy on the tree and am jealous of that metal trellis.
Soaking in all of the beauty in our gardens always makes us feel better. I guess we have to look at it as not being just work to do but beauty to be enjoyed. I always feel better when I step back and just soak it all in.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend Catherine.
Hello Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI think one of the things that I like most about autumn is that many plants in the garden don't overwhelm you with their beauty like they do in spring and summer - so you have to look a little harder and are surprised and happy with the beauty that is still there.
Hi Catherine, I´m so glad you started to feel better as you were walking through your garden finding so many rewards from your work... this is something I believe happen to most of us that work in our gardens.
ReplyDeleteMuchos cariños
Maria Cecilia
Even now after all the stormy weather your gardens look fantastic. Wish now I still could have made it up instead of getting sick. Your gardens would have been much better therapy than the hospital was. Coming home mine look horrible but o'well - guess I'll have lots of therapy to put it back in shape. Your post was great. Tell the Littlest Gardener and Sweet Pea to hold on to the seeds and tours cause I'm still coming. They will be my best therapy! LOL
ReplyDeletePhysocarpus is such a great plant; totally underrated.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post..and what gorgeous photos..they are all amazing!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I think you struck a chord with many of us out here! Feeling a little crabby? Yes... with overcast, rainy weather and not enough time to do what I'd like out there in the gardens... however, your post (and a walk around in my yard today) has made me feel a lot better! Happy Fall day! :-)
ReplyDeleteWorks for me, too. Just listening to the birds can make me smile.
ReplyDeleteIce cream & gardening....works for me. Who needs therapy anyway!
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate. Strolling around my little garden helps me when I'm not happy too. (as well as ice cream ~ the universal healer!)
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs. Another nice thing about garden therapy is it's much cheaper than the regular kind.
ReplyDeleteSome really lovely pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! It always puts me in a better mood by being outside and looking around. I loved your pretty photos! :)Amy
ReplyDeleteso relaxing .. love the pics - pravesh
ReplyDeleteOh, soo true. The garden is our therapy. Your photos inspired me too.
ReplyDeleteIts a nice colourful post. I agree, gardening is like a therapy.
ReplyDelete