"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Friday, May 20, 2011

Remembering a blogging friend.

I'm sure by now many of you have heard about Linda (Rain Gardener) of Gardening by Trial and Error passing away.  I was shocked and very saddened to read that she had passed away earlier this week.  I was very lucky that not only did I get to know Linda through her blog and emails, but we even got to meet one time in person when she drove all the way to my house to visit me and my youngest daughter.  She, like many other bloggers that I've gotten to know, was an extremely generous and giving person.  When she arrived at my house she brought me one of her handmade cards and unloaded her car with plants and seeds, she even brought plants for each of my girls.  In a recent email from her she told me of her recent cancer diagnosis and then went on to ask me what plants she could bring to me, and went on to list all the different plants she thought I would like.  I told her that after she felt better we'd talk plants, but she still wanted to know what I would like.  
As anyone could tell from reading her blog she had a great sense of humor and was very sentimental about things and loved the birds that visited her and was always forgiving of the deer who chomped down her flowers before they got to bloom.  I remember her touching tribute to her father after he passed away.  I just felt I had to share with others what a special person she was and how she touched my life.  I wish she could come to see how well all those plants she shared with me are doing and that I could've gotten to see her beautiful garden and meet her husband whom she adored.
Darla has an address of where we can send our condolences to her family.

Saxifrage 'London Pride' from Linda.

All words and photos in this post are property of A Gardener in Progress. Pin It
Posted by at 4:06 PM
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44 comments:

  1. Gatsbys GardensMay 20, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    Catherine,

    I did hear this from Becca and I have been a co-blogger with Linda since I began a year and a half ago. I loved her music that she played, most I turn off, but it reminded me of my childhood.

    Eileen

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  2. UnknownMay 20, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    So sorry to hear about that. I'm sure her family would appreciate the tribute you wrote for her.

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  3. AlisonMay 20, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    This was a sweet but sad post. I was very saddened to hear about her passing. I never met her, but she was one of the PNW bloggers that I found through your blog. I enjoyed reading her posts, and she seemed like such a nice woman. I wish I could have met her.

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  4. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    I remember when she drove to your house with those plants Catherine. What a beautiful tribute to her. My deepest sympathy to her family and to all those who loved her so through blogging.

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  5. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    I did not know her, but I am saddened none the less. I can tell by your tribute, you though highly of her and feel for your loss. She sounded like a remarkable, giving woman.

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  6. lotusleafMay 20, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    I remember to have seen her comments on your posts. I am sorry that such a wonderful person had to pass away so early. Your tribute to Darla is very touching.

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  7. Autumn BelleMay 20, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    This beautiful tribute to Linda. Thank you very much for letting us know for I thin that the whole garden blogging community should know about this. I will head over to the link.

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  8. A Garden of ThreadsMay 20, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    A beautiful tribute to a beautiful blogging friend. Thank you for letting us now. I am going to send condolences to the family.

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  9. BonnieMay 20, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    She sounds like a lovely and giving person. A wonder tribute.

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  10. AnonymousMay 20, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Oh Catherine, I had NO idea about Linda. It makes me so sad to hear. She left me some of the nicest comments on the blog visits we've had back and forth. I had not been over to her blog in recent months tho because of all I've had going on. That makes me feel especially bad now. I will have to go to Darla's and get the condolence address. Thanks for posting this and you are such a terrific person for writing such a nice post about her.

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  11. Rebecca @ In The GardenMay 20, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear of her passing, my thought are with her family.

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  12. GRACE PETERSONMay 20, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    What a poignant tribute, Catherine. I knew Linda through emailing and definitely felt a kinship. I'll be sending a card.

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  13. Rainy Day GardenerMay 20, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Catherine, you've written a very tender post. I'm going to miss Linda very much. Thank you for your heart felt post.

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  14. DesireeMay 20, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    This is so sad but at the same time such a lovely tribute to Linda! Unfortunately I did not know her but wish I did after reading about her here.

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  15. meemsnycMay 20, 2011 at 11:49 PM

    I haven't heard about the sad news. I feel so sad.

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  16. FlowerLady LorraineMay 21, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    What a lovely, heartfelt tribute. I was saddened to read about her leaving this life. My heart and prayers go out to all her family and friends.

    FlowerLady

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  17. DonnaMay 21, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    What a wonderful tribute for a remarkable woman who had such treasured friends...her gift of flowers shows how truly loving, caring and giving she was!! So sorry for your loss and for her family and friends...she will be missed.

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  18. DarlaMay 21, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Very nice Catherine...

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  19. RebeccaMay 21, 2011 at 4:54 AM

    Thank you for articulating the fine and gentle memories of a fellow gardener. Let us all treasure each other and the gardening joys we share as long as we can!

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  20. cathy@homeMay 21, 2011 at 5:28 AM

    Lovely sentiments

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  21. tinaMay 21, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Sometimes we hear of bloggers who have died but none in my group had and I often wondered how I'd react. I know now, I have been crying off and on since yesterday. Linda was most kind and I feel as though I had gotten to know her and so wish I could've met her. She will be missed. I first heard of her death through Janet, then Darla posted an address and now your post. It is very nice to remember her and others in this way I think. Bloggers do indeed touch our lives even if we haven't met in person and death is a sad thing when we no longer have our friends and family. Take care and thanks for such a sweet post. She did indeed love those birds and tolerate the critters and was a most kind person.

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  22. CatMay 21, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    You've written a beautiful tribute Catherine to express your love for your friend. She sounds a gracious, loving and giving woman. We are so blessed to meet such lovely people through our blogs. We become true friends who love and care about each other. Praying that you feel some comfort and peace as you say goodbye to your friend.

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  23. DarlaMay 21, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    lotusleaf: I am still alive...darla

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  24. Kit Aerie-elMay 21, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    What a lovely tribute to a wonderful woman. I will miss her.

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  25. Curbstone Valley FarmMay 21, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    A beautiful and touching post Catherine, one I wish you didn't have to write. I never met Linda, only virtually, but I'm so sad to read this. I feel like I get to know a little bit of each of you when I read your blogs. As a recent cancer survivor myself it's especially painful knowing that Linda had to endure this battle. My condolences to you, and to Linda's family.

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  26. klaraau01May 21, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    So Sorry to hear this, thank you for a beautiful tribute to Linda and my thoughts are with her family and friends

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  27. StacyMay 21, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    A lovely tribute indeed! I'm sorry for your loss. I wish I had known her and been witness to all the beauty she shared with others. My heart goes out to all who loved her.

    I hear there is no weeding in heaven.

    Stacy
    http://kneedeepinbloomers.blogspot.com/

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  28. Bonnie KMay 21, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    What a thoughtful tribute. I enjoyed her blog and it is sad thing.

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  29. Tatyana@MySecretGardenMay 22, 2011 at 3:00 AM

    Catherine, I am shocked by the news. We corresponded with Linda after she posted the tribute to her father. We talked about our fathers. She also gave me some great suggestions withregard to PNW fishing places since she knew our area very well. ...
    Thank you for your tribute.

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  30. DMay 22, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Catherine, what a wonderful tribute to Linda. Thank you for that; I'm sure she is smiling. I am still in shock over her passing. She had written that she still wanted to come see our garden when she traveled south to California. We will miss her and her kind and generous spirit. Perhaps one day I can have a small division of that saxifrage. I still have some peony seeds from her.

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  31. RURAL May 22, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Catherine, a beautiful tribute to a wonderful blogger. She will be sadly missed in our circles. I loved her comments, and looked forward to her visits.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  32. JayneMay 22, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    What a lovely tribute to Linda. I'm sure she will be missed by her family and her blogging friends around the world.

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  33. SusanMay 22, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    A warm, loving tribute to your friend, Catherine.
    The act of sharing cuttings, plants and seeds has such beautiful results doesn't it. Now you can look at those flowers and smile - just as Linda would have intended.

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  34. Gardener on Sherlock StreetMay 22, 2011 at 3:05 PM

    What a sweet tribute. How wonderful that you had the chance to meet. Sharing part of ourselves makes such a difference to others. Gardeners sharing plants and seeds is a visual measure of that generosity.

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  35. PatMay 22, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Thanks for sharing.
    Her gifts of flowers and plants will always bring you friendship.

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  36. AnnaMay 23, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    I only wish that I had come across Linda's blog Catherine. You have written a beautiful tribute to your friend. It sounds as if her spirit and generosity will live on in your garden and others.

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  37. Asha RamMay 23, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Beautifully written, and what a beautiful garden blog! I had bookmarked your blog site, but do not recollect how I chanced on your site.

    I visited Linda's blog site too, and there is so much to learn from it - the knowledge shared stays forever. :)

    Regards,
    Asha

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  38. Asha RamMay 23, 2011 at 4:08 AM

    I hope it's OK if I add your blog site URL to my blog roll.

    Thanks,
    Asha

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  39. Becca's DirtMay 23, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    Thats a lovely tribute Catherine. Linda will be missed. I have plants that are blooming now that came from her seeds.

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  40. LonaMay 23, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    What a lovely tribute Catherine. After my daughter and I had come home from visiting the arboretum Friday I had emails telling of Linda's passing. I was shocked and saddened so much. She had been through so much already with her health. I know I will also treasure her giving heart and the seeds,plants and cards she sent to me. She will be missed by those of us who came to know her from blogging.

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  41. AnonymousMay 24, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    Catherine, I didn't have the opportunity to get to know Linda, but this post is a lovely tribute and gives me a glimpse of what I missed. I am particularly moved by her impulse to make a last gift of favorite plants to friends. Thank you for sharing this. -Jean

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  42. JenMay 24, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Oh, that is soooo sad! I didn't know her or her blog, but just reading your post honoring her made me wish I had.

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  43. Victoria WilliamsMay 29, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    I didn't know about Linda. I'm so sorry to hear this, I was wondering why she hadn't posted lately. I'm kind of stunned.

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  44. VictoriaMay 30, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Thanks for sharing this post..wow..so sad to just hear this..mnay thoughts to her family! Beautiful tribute to her..thanks so much for sharing it.
    Kiki

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