The roadside garden with a mixture of coreopsis, lavender, cosmos, lantana, allysum, yarrow, lambs ear, marigolds, salvia , rose campion, sneezeweed, goldenrod, cardinal flower, delpheniums, gaura, muhly grass , and milkweed, to name a few, continued to thrive and garner so many compliments from passersby.
Tragedy struck in mid-July when my little canine companion of 14 years, Mini-Schnauzer Jojo had to be put to sleep due to an inoperable brain tumor that caused her to have constant seizures. Below is a picture of her in our Chicago home, in her favorite chair, checking out the action on our busy street and barking selectively at people she didn't like. She is gone from our side but never from our heart. I spent the last day of her life consoling and soothing her, giving her favorite treats . The vet told me that I took such good care of her that she lived 2 years longer than most of her breed . Farewell my faithful companion. We shall meet again.
I was fortunate to find a piece of whimsical art for my garden produced from recycled materials by a local artist. Birds are a common theme in my woodland garden with many birdhouses, feeders and birdbaths.
I am enjoying watching my young garden mature . Despite the many challenges of gardening here in the Piedmont - deer, rabbit, clay, drought, etc. I love my woodland cottage garden . A small house and a big garden is my dream come true.
Now August approaches and I have many plans for the Sweet Garden. A new fence will be installed in my backyard so that I can garden without worrying about critters eating everything. I will start my vegetable garden and add plants that I love but couldn't have due to deer. I used to dread Fall because I knew that a harsh Chicago winter was ahead, but here you can garden all year. The sight of Camellias and Flowering Apricots in Winter cheer my very soul. And , what I planted this year - 4 dogwoods, viburnums and magnolia will be wonderful in Spring.
And to end this Blue July tonight there will be a blue moon.
