 |
| Veterans Honor - the scientists change the menu, but the ingredients were there at Creation. John 1:3 |
Early spring makes the experienced gardener become gloomy about many failed efforts. The weeds always come up first, plus some cheerful daffodils and grape hyacinths. The late blooming plants look dead. Rose canes are not yet green.
 |
| Veterans Honor next to Pope John Paul - on a Lincoln Town Car hood. The roses look surreal. |
Some days of warmth change that at once. Roses green up and sprouted leaves. Veterans Honor bare root roses arrive and get soaked in rain water.
 |
| In memory of Peter Ellenberger, decorated veteran. |
Digging holes in a clay soil garden is work and fun at the same time. Years of adding organic matter as mulch increase the microbe and worm population: leaves, wood mulch, peat compost, pine needles. When the new roses sprout green leaves immediately, it looks like a good year.
The four veterans on our walk appreciate the flower honoring their service. Ranger Bob (veteran) joined in the garden renovation by borrowing our garden crew. He asked later, because he was sleeping while they worked and I paid them, "How much?"
I said, "I will put it this way, Bob. I now own your Isuzu truck." He burst out laughing with the crew.
A friend came by to join us in having pour-over coffee. Bob talked about living and working in Phoenix. He said, "I got a rich tan from the Phoenix sun." I said, "I got skin cancer." They laughed. In fact, all of us Jackson brothers caught that trait from our mother, who passed it on.
 |
| I have a lot of bee balm now. |
Monarda or Bee Balm is bursting out of the soil now. That was one sale I bought with many advantages later. The plant bloomed all over the garden last year, feeding bees and hummingbirds alike.
The annual weather patterns change a lot, but each aspect of Creation has its own preferences. The last few years have been hard on roses, killer years, but Easy Does It soldiers on, producing sunset-colored roses (variations in color) like a factory.
 |
| Self-portrait of a gardener - Easy Does It roses for the wedding. |
