There is a saying
in old Celtic folklore
that if you linger
between two different worlds,
such as
a before and an after
you might be visited by fairies.
You may never
actually see them
but they will always leave
a token of their time there,
a feeling
that you can carry with you
no matter how far
you may go.
in old Celtic folklore
that if you linger
between two different worlds,
such as
a before and an after
you might be visited by fairies.
You may never
actually see them
but they will always leave
a token of their time there,
a feeling
that you can carry with you
no matter how far
you may go.
As a little girl,
I sat beneath an old acasia tree
in my grandmother's garden,
reading over and over again,
the delightful story of
the Secret Garden.
When that ivy clad gate
was first opened,
I think that was where
my imagination took wing and
fairies became
a part of my nature.
I know the story
didn't tell of fairies,
per say,
but I may have seen
Mary Lennox, Dickon and Colin
as magical beings,
transforming a plot of forgotten land
into a beautiful garden.
In my small mind,
I couldn't fathom it
being done
any other way.
I sat beneath an old acasia tree
in my grandmother's garden,
reading over and over again,
the delightful story of
the Secret Garden.
When that ivy clad gate
was first opened,
I think that was where
my imagination took wing and
fairies became
a part of my nature.
I know the story
didn't tell of fairies,
per say,
but I may have seen
Mary Lennox, Dickon and Colin
as magical beings,
transforming a plot of forgotten land
into a beautiful garden.
In my small mind,
I couldn't fathom it
being done
any other way.
When we first took up residence,
in 1989, at the Cottage,
this was the space
that designated itself
to be my Secret Garden.
The curtain had been pulled back and
it seemed that
I had just stepped out from under
those low hanging limbs
of that long ago acasia tree
onto a stage
that could portray my dream
of a garden
just like Mary had accomplished.
Of course, by then,
I knew there would be
no actual fairies
coming to my rescue,
still,
I wanted a special place
for them to reside,
if they would
so choose.
in 1989, at the Cottage,
this was the space
that designated itself
to be my Secret Garden.
The curtain had been pulled back and
it seemed that
I had just stepped out from under
those low hanging limbs
of that long ago acasia tree
onto a stage
that could portray my dream
of a garden
just like Mary had accomplished.
Of course, by then,
I knew there would be
no actual fairies
coming to my rescue,
still,
I wanted a special place
for them to reside,
if they would
so choose.
This is the very first "before" garden.
Notice the floor of the gazebo.
It was a large round of cement
that the Captain poured and
I painted "bricks" onto.
You can barely see
the ivy starting to climb the fence.
It was a very
simple and basic start
to the dream.
Notice the floor of the gazebo.
It was a large round of cement
that the Captain poured and
I painted "bricks" onto.
You can barely see
the ivy starting to climb the fence.
It was a very
simple and basic start
to the dream.
Over the years,
the garden has taken on
many different looks and
as I look back
over each old photo,
I feel myself
being drawn back and wishing,
just a little,
that nothing had changed,
that this photo had been
the final one...
the garden has taken on
many different looks and
as I look back
over each old photo,
I feel myself
being drawn back and wishing,
just a little,
that nothing had changed,
that this photo had been
the final one...
...no,
I think this
might have been
the one to keep...
I think this
might have been
the one to keep...
...I did love
this one
so much...
this one
so much...
...but this one was
the very best...
...this one was
so romantic...
the very best...
...this one was
so romantic...
...but this one
was
more romantic...
... and
the simplicity of fall
was splendid.
was
more romantic...
... and
the simplicity of fall
was splendid.
But,
when the wild life
started becoming part
of the decor...
when the wild life
started becoming part
of the decor...
...I knew
that it was time
for the curtain to be lowered and
the show
to be cancelled.
that it was time
for the curtain to be lowered and
the show
to be cancelled.
All those wonderful times
spent in the Secret Garden
were not to be forgotten so...
we enclosed the porch
with screening and
the magic began again...
and, now,
when we take our seats and
the curtain goes up...
...and we catch
our first glimpse
of the
coming attraction...
spent in the Secret Garden
were not to be forgotten so...
we enclosed the porch
with screening and
the magic began again...
and, now,
when we take our seats and
the curtain goes up...
...and we catch
our first glimpse
of the
coming attraction...
...the garden is
a jumble of green,
with the occasional touch
of a faux or real blossom for color.
The ivy parts and
opens a small pathway
that leads to all of
the garden's secrets.
Now,
on the hot
summer days and nights,
when the garden gets the most use,
the calming green,
along with the slight summer breezes
that move the wind chimes,
I feel again
what Mary must have felt
when she first saw
her garden...
...and as for the fairies...
I know they are content and
even though
I haven't actually seen them,
I know they are there,
somewhere between
the befores and the afters...
because they
told me so!
A hush has fallen over all.
The stage has been set and
the lights have come up.
Cue the music.
The show must go on.
Truthfully,
after looking back over these photos,
don't be surprised
if you happen to see
another after
and this,
that you have just witnessed,
will have turned into
all of
the befores.
Of course,
it depends on what
the fairies want.
...Judy...
Have a great week,
stay smart and well
and wear your masks.
Sharing today with:
Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda
and
Keep In Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles
a jumble of green,
with the occasional touch
of a faux or real blossom for color.
The ivy parts and
opens a small pathway
that leads to all of
the garden's secrets.
Now,
on the hot
summer days and nights,
when the garden gets the most use,
the calming green,
along with the slight summer breezes
that move the wind chimes,
I feel again
what Mary must have felt
when she first saw
her garden...
...and as for the fairies...
I know they are content and
even though
I haven't actually seen them,
I know they are there,
somewhere between
the befores and the afters...
because they
told me so!
A hush has fallen over all.
The stage has been set and
the lights have come up.
Cue the music.
The show must go on.
Truthfully,
after looking back over these photos,
don't be surprised
if you happen to see
another after
and this,
that you have just witnessed,
will have turned into
all of
the befores.
Of course,
it depends on what
the fairies want.
...Judy...
Have a great week,
stay smart and well
and wear your masks.
Sharing today with:
Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda
and
Keep In Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles
