Friday, July 25, 2025

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



27 comments:

  1. What a beautiful garden--an oasis of delight and refreshment. No better way to spend a wonderful summer afternoon!

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    1. I agree, it's a lovely way to while away a summer afternoon - it makes the heart full. Thanks, Kathy!

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  2. Beautiful! This stroll I’d say my favourites are the hollyhocks. 💕

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    1. Thanks, Janet, for your note (and for letting me know this comment was from you). Those hollyhocks were a delight to see. Makes me think of them on the farm in front of the kitchen window.

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  3. Thank you! What a blessing to read your blog. Sadly, my garden is struggling here in the desert SW of America so your visits to the gardens is a sweet encouragement. Hope to see lots more of your posts--they always bring a smile. May the good Lord who provided the very first garden bless you with His peace, love & joy!
    Bobbie

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    1. Thank you, Bobbie, for visiting my blog. And for taking a moment to share your thoughts. I'm sorry your own garden struggles in the heat of the desert. Look forward to having you visit again in the near future.

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  4. Hello Brenda. Your flower photos are very beautiful. I think you are right that seeing flowers helps our psyche so very, very much. And that garden has so many different varieties . They are so astounding. I hope you have a perfectly wonderful weekend. Thanks for sharing. And Brenda, thank you for visiting Writing Straight from the Heart and for commenting, too. Susan

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    1. Lovely to hear from you, Susan. I know we both share a love of beautiful flowers. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos from that wonderful garden.

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  5. I was right there with you in the garden. Those delphiniums! The roses! The yarrow! Zinnias and Hollyhocks! And all the other flowers I can't name. Each one so lovely. A summer day spent in such a garden does the soul good. We need beauty in life. Thank God for those who have the vision to create such spaces for us to enjoy. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.

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    1. I agree, Lorrie, we need beauty in life. It's what helps us to carry on, and it seems to make room for hope for better days when it's dark and dismal. Like you, I am grateful for those who have the heart and vision to create such spaces for us to enjoy.

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  6. Stunning Brenda. You know how to capture the beauty with your words & your photo's. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Nice, and with the benefits for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

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    1. Yes, we're always happy when we see that happening in the gardens in our region.

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  8. Brenda, as always you transport me to a lovely place. What a wonderful garden to have near enough for a visit. I revelled in your photos, such a variety of colour and shape. Delphiniums! I think every garden needs them! Thank you for such a lovely stroll....it does call to the soul. Where would we be without gardens?

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    1. We were so surprised to see how tall and straight those delphiniums stood in that garden. They seemed to have nice strong stocks. In our garden, the stocks tend to bend and lean and look a little disheveled, even though Rick has placed large metal rings around each plants. Thanks for dropping by, Barbara. xo

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  9. How lovely! I think flowers are one of the sweetest treasures we're given. 💗

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  10. What beautiful flowers! Thank you for taking us along your garden visit.

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  11. So much beauty! I know your heart was full after strolling the paths at St. Albert Botanic Park! Dreamy!

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    1. Cheryl, my heart was full indeed. Thanks for stopping by. xo

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  12. Hello Brenda, what an absolutely gorgeous garden!!! Your photos are beautiful and captivating. I also love the quotes in your post. Truly inspiring. Thank you 😊 🙏 so much for sharing and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada ❤️ 🇨🇦

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    1. Thank you, Linda, for your lovely note all the way from Montreal.

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  13. Dear Brenda, thank you for that beautiful walk through the lovely park! I visit gardens wherever I am - and I enjoyed yours very much.

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"Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same." Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today. Brenda