James Russell Lowell
And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays....
The least ambitious gardener will repeat Lowell's opening line. Many of us had to recite the poem. Various human helpers and Supervisor Charlie Sue have provided a unique, inexpensive gardening paradise. Hailstorm, thunderclaps, heat and humidity have co-mingled the benefits without bearing the costs.
The front porch was always welcome for being just above the level of the garden. However, the best view is from the inside of the picture window - for a close-up of calla lilies, butterfly weed, roses, clethra, Four O'clocks, and gaudy Canna.
I push back the e-z chair recliner with my feet almost touching the window ledge. Charlie is happy to jump up and watch the parade of birds and squirrels. Outside, I already set up the bird feeders from the backyard to encourage birds in the front yard:
- Cardinals male and female
- Blue jays
- Grackles
- Starlings
- Common finches, maybe goldfinches too
- Hummingbirds
The area around the mailbox was infested with bee balm; the mailman was not happy about that last year. The plant draws the bees but terrorizes the mail carriers. The mailman did some bee balm trimming without a permit. Countering his work, I laid out heavy cardboard sheets and covered them with wood mulch to hold it down, to keep grass and weeds from rising up for another round with the bees. Additional labor (not mine) created a No-Fly zone, making everyone happy. The carrier smiles and waves at me now.
