A gardener never, ever loses utter fascination with the garden. Gardeners are fascinated with their land twelve months a year, everyday of each month. They wonder and watch. Walk and wait. Listen. Scout. Explore, investigate. Check on. Anticipate. Exhale. Reach for the soapy water. Reach for the camera. Reach for the felcos. The garden provides real time live entertainment for a gardener most waking moments of his existence.

I try to walk in my garden each day as it is a true moment of solace for me. I do not like the distraction of other people in the garden when I am there so I have to wait until I am certain the coast is clear. And then I stroll through my peace of mind and consolation. It is impossible, no matter how i am dressed, not to deadhead, pick off aphids, examine underside of foliage, or smell a handfuls of soil, if I am prompted. Can't not do it. Can't not be in it while being present.

And I end up with handfuls of seed pods and yellow, crispy foliage that fascinates me as I drop them in my big orange Home Depot bucket. I love to look at that stuff. Love it. I love the plant as it emerges from dormancy, begins to leaf, then bud, then bloom, then fade and finally, settles. I love every part of it. The poppies have just run through their cycle and I am fascinated with the seed --which is, you have to admit-- the alpha and omega of it all. It's all about the seeds. I was playing with the poppies last night in my nightgown well past good light and got these. So you know, this is the stuff that really interests me. When I do my book, I'll include lots of pretty pictures like the ones below for you. But for me, I do a whole section of this stuff.


JBelle
Bellemaison
The 'Kan EWA