We’re moving into the full summer landscape here in Indian Valley, & of course the garden is transforming as the season changes from the mild spring to the Dog Days. Actually, so far we haven’t had too much of the real sweltering heat—some days in the mid 90s, but no 100 degree days so far. In fact, the last couple of days have been very pleasant, with temperatures peaking in the low 80s—unusual for July in this part of the world.
The hot weather flowers are making their appearance nonetheless—the sunflowers & daylilies & yarrow & coneflowers in particular are the blossoms of high summer, & the roses are blooming as well. In addition, there are blooms on the squash plants & the eggplant & tomatoes are forming; & the grapes are forming their clusters & the cherries are ripe—all very exciting stuff. Eberle decided to scale back t
he big vegetable garden this year in the interest of soil improvement, but we still have all the basics in place.I thought you folks might enjoy a tour of the July garden, so I put together a slideshow. The background music is a piece Eberle & I co-wrote called “Popsicle Illusion.” This is a tune we’ve used in various incarnations & in various forms. We used to perform a longer version when we played as Five & Dime Jazz, & we also included a different version (with a guitar solo) on our soundtrack to Nell Shipman’s The Grub Stake. This particular recording is from our soundtrack to The Rootabaga Stories. Hey, when we were doing all those soundtracks a few years back we were very into musical recycling!
Hope you enjoy.
Greetings from Minnesota where the weather has also been so pleasant of late!
ReplyDeleteI am admiring the lovely colors of your day lilies and wishing I could drop by and take a little root. I'd bring along my beautiful golden one, and a tiger lily that is flame orange to share. Peace,
Chris
I do love cone flowers. I found your day lilies beautiful and interesting, as well. I adjusted the angle of my screen, thinking I wasn't seeing right. I'm used to bright orange.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris & Sandra:
ReplyDeleteThanks for admiring the garden, even if virtually!
So beautiful, John. You guys are so blessed. My kids would pick all the cherries. We had a cherry tree years ago. One of the casualties of my divorce I never got over!!! Years later, i drove by our old house and some absolute idiot had CUT. IT. DOWN. Who cuts down a perfectly good cherry tree? Now, there's a poem I should write.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen: Yes, we have beautiful surroundings, & kids love Eberle's garden. In response to your question: only an idiot would cut down a perfectly good cherry tree. I can already taste the cherry tarts!
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful German Cherry Pie recipe. Baking is another one of my weaknesses. I have visions of having a cherry tree or two in the future. Maybe next spring!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather:
ReplyDeleteThey sure are fun to have. & thanks for following along here! We'd be interested in your recipe for sure.
The garden has really come into its own, hasn't it? I loved the small shrine to the Madonna. I'm also a big fan of the succulent plants. Sedum is one of my favourites, as are the cone flowers. All beautifully displayed to the charming and quirky music. Delightful!
ReplyDeleteKat
HI Kat:
ReplyDeleteI really like the Nuestra Senora shrine, too; the enclosure is an old water heater, painted by Eberle, & the "fence" around it is her childhood bed frame. Obviously the fact that it was placed near the roses is significant.
Glad you liked the music, too. Eberle & I used to say jokingly that "Popsicle Illusion" was our on pop song.