The Last Chapter

I was watching the Peonies bloom today and remembered this blog.  It's been many years since I've posted an entry, and probably just as long since I've truly enjoyed gardening.  Older age and infirmity have made gardening very difficult; it's just not so much fun to be reminded that one can't participate in one's beloved hobby with every painful motion.  Although the purpose of building the garden was to prolong my ability to play in the dirt, this is no longer possible.  This fact has been a primary consideration in our decision to sell our house and move into the city.

Happily, I will still be able to enjoy my very manageable beach garden, in which I happily plant ratatouille (eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, and zucchini).  Beach plums, rosa rugosa, perovskia and many other plants grow like weeds (in a good way).  I might even add a greenhouse one of these years.  In fact, I will definitely do this because it will make Mark happy to see me puttering.

How ironic that I've been trying to get my beloved hespiris (Dame's Rocket) to grow for the 19 years in which I've lived here.  Just this year it finally took hold.  It's a sign.  One of the potential buyer families for my house is a pair of gardeners.  If they end up with the house I'm sure they will appreciate the delightful heavenly smell of this phlox look-alike.  The garden looks bare this year, as I didn't plant seedlings at all, for the first time.  I'm separating, and it's hard.

We are moving to Philadelphia into a wonderful, sumptuous house where we will have window boxes, a sunny South yard, and a large roof deck.  I will not, however, fall in love with my planting.  City dirt does not smell like the country and I won't be able to hear Bailey's cows or the horses down the street as I dig holes.  I will not enjoy planting, although I will still love flowers.  Fortunately, the weekly farmers market sells Amish flowers.  I will be very happy to think about a new family enjoying my garden, planting seeds, smelling a newly mowed lawn, and listening to the birds at dusk and dawn.  I will miss twilight dinners and wine on the deck counting the bats flying high above, but I smile when I think of a new family learning about the delights that this little piece of nature has in store for them.  I think about young boys exploring the woods and playing on a zip line over the stream.  I think about toddlers on a swing set and dogs running in the back yard.  I think about parents unwinding after a long day with a glass of wine in the walled garden.  This house has been my home and the garden has been my delight.  I cared for four wonderful dogs and two happy and healthy children here.  I wish much happiness and love for the next inhabitants.