A Summer Afternoon in a Garden

"The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth—

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth."

DOROTHY FRANCES GURNEY

There are times when I lament the vanishing of beauty in our world. There is so much ugly around us that pushes us in the face. But then we saunter through a garden that's filled with lovely flowers, shapely shrubs, and graceful trees. And we wander meandering pathways that are designed for pleasure and comfort. We are reminded, even though many destroy what is beautiful thinking beauty is not to be valued, there are so many more people who do care about our world... and who create and tend to what is beautiful for the sake of others. 

Our local St Albert Botanic Park is one such place. Maintained by volunteers from the community, it's set alongside the Sturgeon River. It's a place that invites one to come in and spend time here. Where we can enjoy the many nooks and crannies, the eye pleasing garden designs and placement of trees and plants, sitting on well-situated benches where we can rest a while, feel the warmth of the sun on our backs, watch bees buzzing around the roses bushes, maybe have a chat with a friend.

The day we visited the weather was perfect—warm but not hot, with gentle breezes. Groups of people were strolling along, including one family with little ones who thought the park was great for running and chasing in, and I think they were having great fun. After our stroll through the gardens, we sat at a patio table where people can enjoy ice cream treats from the gift shop. We watched a brave squirrel come closer and closer in hopes that a bit of something will fall to the ground. He'd be right there to snatch it up. I looked up, and there walking into the area came a former work colleague and dear friend with her adult daughter. What a delightful surprise. They sat down with us for a few minutes and we had a right old catch up in ten minutes. It was just so nice to see them... spontaneous serendipity that created a warm spot in the heart.

As I grow older the simple pleasure of visiting a garden, alone or with friends, becomes even more important to the well-being of my soul. Perhaps you find it so yourself. Today I am delighted to share the exuberant beauty of what caught my eye during our visit on an ideal summer afternoon.

Don't you want to step through that archway to

discover what lovely vista might catch your breath?

 

What a heavenly day

to be in a garden!

"Won't you come into the garden?

I would like my roses to see you."

RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN

"Flowers really do intoxicate me."

VITA SACKVILLE-WEST

❦

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life

A Walk in the Garden

"For many people summer is a time of leisure: days at the beach, or picnics in parks and gardens; long, fair-weather country walks. Often it feels too brief, or comes in instalments: we pine for the six solid weeks of sunshine we believe we always had as a child. But in wanting to recapture those days we risk missing the days we still have - because what is that wish but a wish to be a child again, loosed from school, loosed from the house, and barefoot on the grass? Those elysian summers, polished to dazzling brightness by the flow of years, can never be recaptured; but we have this summer, however imperfect we as adults may deem it, and we can go out and seek it at every opportunity we can."

"Introduction" in Summer Anthology, editor Melissa Harrison, 2016

These portulacas with their eye-popping colours of orange and pink and yellow make me grin. How brilliant they are. They are like a jolt of joy when I come upon them around the corner by the garage. Did you know they are nature's fair-weather creatures and open their petals only when the sun shines on them? I took the photo a couple of days ago. On overcast mornings, the petals remain tightly curled and they look dismal. Can't say that I blame them, but a person does wonder if maybe they've bit the dust and are ready for the compost bin. Don't do thaaaat, you'll be sorry. Haha 

  

Along with these bright petaled blossoms, here is a glimpse of what else is blooming in the garden right now... hope you enjoy.

Pink penstemon, variety unknown

"I have thousands of moments

in which to be happy and joyous."

HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

The Last Dream of the Old Oak (A Christmas Story)

Pink lavatera, sometimes referred to as rose mallow

Captivating pink beauty,

one petal at a time.

UNKNOWN

Hydrangea getting ready to burst out

"The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth."

DOROTHY FRANCES GURNEY

Sedum

"Flowers are like friends, they

bring colour to your world."

UNKNOWN

"I come to the garden alone

while the dew is still on the roses"

C. AUSTIN MILES (1912)

Clematis 'Gillian Blades'

"Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants

as paint, and the soil and sky as canvas."

ELIZABETH MURRAY

"Amidst a sea of green,

pink flowers bloom as nature's delicate poetry."

UNKNOWN

❦

We have this summer, however imperfect it may be—

let us go and seek out its beauty at every opportunity we can.

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credits:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life