For a long time now
the Secret Garden has been
a large part of life at the Cottage.
As the story goes,
the key was found which unlocked the gate and opened up a place of magic.
A place of magic where
humans, animals, plants, flowers
and imaginations
reside in harmony...
Where seasons change
and turn views into...
...blossoms dripping like Purple Rain...
...breezes gently swaying,
accompanied by wind chimes...
...under a canopy of autumn colors.
Tables were set for tea...
...books could be read
and dreams come alive in the dappled sunlight...
...life was comfortable inside a screened porch...
...while fairies danced out in the garden.
Dragonflies made their way by candlelight...
...and a path always led to a place of the heart.
The past two years have been hard.
Things have changed in the world and the Secret Garden has changed along with it.
Last winter a snow storm came along
and took its toll on the garden...
What was once a lovely cottage,
surrounded by trees that protected from hot summer sun
has now become..
...a place of
devastation and destruction.
Three trees had to be taken down
after they cracked under the pressure of the storm
and instead of purple rain over the gazebo and the Cottage roof
there is now a cover of broken limbs and debris...
...and there are piles of broken tree branches here
and in the neighbor's yard as well.
What used to be our summer place
in the country
is now just a shell of its former self
and it will take a lot of work
to begin to rebuild it.
One good thing is that
we will have more sunlight
so some pretty flowers can grow
where they couldn't before.
It will be a place
to be proud of once again
but it will take awhile.
We are still waiting on
the black top for the driveway
and after that happens
there will be painting and replanting
there also.
It seems like a big job
but little by little it will get done.
"Where you plant a rose my lad, a thistle cannot grow."
"The Secret Garden"
Right now
neither rose nor thistle can grow,
but in time...
I am going to take
some time off from the blog
but will be back with
some prettiness to share.
Stay well and see you in a few.
...Judy...
Sharing today with:
It is a shame Judy that the trees took such a hit. Our trees here outside the condo with this weird winter have not even gotten buds yet. That is unusal since we moved in last year during this week and I remember the trees all full of green leaves. Nothing yet. Probably because Old Man Winter cannot seem to let go of us completely. I hope with time your sweet garden will come back to life with new and prettier places. xoxo Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kris. I'm sure it will be nice again eventually but it is going to take a lot of time and work. Our neighbor is going to haul away all the wood as she has a truck and we don't..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy
DeleteYou have the creativity and desire to make your garden beautiful once more....as a phoenix rising from the flames :)
ReplyDeleteI especially admire your positivity in thinking about the things that can grow there now, as there will be more sunshine.
Wishing you all the best and a nice break.
Can't wait to see what you share when you get back.
~K.
Thanks so much, Kerin. It will take time and I hope to be back sometime before it all happens but it is going to take a lot of work. I know it can look good again, but when you lose almost the best part of the "Secret" it will take some time getting used to..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy
DeleteOh no so sorry to hear about your garden. I always enjoyed seeing pics of it. Take care. Janice
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Janice. I'm glad you have enjoyed it because you will be getting more than you could imagine once it gets back again..Happy Tuesday..xxoJudy
DeleteSorry to hear about what the storms have done. You have so many lovely pictures. May you be blessed with the strength for each new day for what you need to do. Hope you get your rest too. Looking forward to seeing the future pretty. It's awesome that you have taken so many photos and share them here.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Cheryl. It will be awhile before it looks pretty again but it will get there eventually. I'm so glad you enjoy the photos, it is one of my most favorite thing to do..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy
DeleteYikes, Judy. That is just so sad. I so hate to see natural destruction like that and I hope that you can get things put back together in due course. It may take a bit to be as lush as it was but I've no doubt you are up to the task. It's always so sad to see trees come down, battered from the storm. Sending love, hugs and hope that the rebuild isn't too frightful.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jeanie. I know it will get rebuilt and am looking forward to it but the joy of sitting in a quiet place just being has been dampened a bit..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy
DeleteOMG Judy when you said you had storm damage last winter, I had no idea. Goodness gracious I wish I could come and visit and help. We always have wind damage here, but this is horrible. I love how you are looking on it all as an opportunity. Once all the debris is gone---you will have a new slate to fill in---a new canvas. I see peonies and iris...hollyhocks in the crevices and it will all come to life. A pond is a possibility with sunlight and less leaves dropping! Enjoy your NEW yard during all the steps of the 'work in progress'! HUGS, Sandi
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sandi. I wish I could paint the garden with your words! Hopefully it will look pretty once again but don't know if I am that ambitious!..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy
DeleteSo very frustrating, I am sure. It will be renewed, and you will make it happen. I am so glad those trees did not hit your home! A lot of light will shine through for all of your new plantings. Will see you after your blog break.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Betsy. There will be more light so I am anxious to plant some brightness back there. It may take awhile but I will return..Happy Friday..xxoJudy
DeleteOh Judy.. it is so sad to see your sweet secret garden in ruins like that. It was such a little Haven for you! I hope someone else DOES haul away all the branches and wood debris! When the big tree in my backyard fell over, the guys who cut it up were kind enough to take all of the branches and junk and twigs away! I was so grateful. You will have fun rebuilding your secret garden.. and maybe find some new types of flowers to put there, and maybe even plant a new tree to take the spot where the others were. The job seems daunting.... I hope you do have some help. and do take your time, and enjoy the journal of getting it to a new and wonderful place for you! I am so sad when old trees have to go, or are blown down by the storms. Take care... Marilyn
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn. The three trees were right close to the property line. The big walnut was on neighbor's side and two smaller locust ones were ours. We split the cost of having them removed but it was just way too expensive to have the cutters take away the debris. Our neighbor is a single lady but works her behind off all the time and she has a truck so she offered to help clean up and make dump runs. It is getting done little by little and they are coming to blacktop the driveway Thursday so we will get started on that too. It will keep us busy and out of trouble for awhile for sure...Enjoy the week..xxoJudy
DeleteHi Judy, how sad the toll that has been taken with your secret garden. I've always enjoyed your pictures of it as well as your loving words. Hopefully in time it will rise again in a blaze of glory! Jane
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jane. We are making slow but sure progress. Hope you are having a wonderful spring so far..xxoJudy
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your garden... It's terrible!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind thoughts. The mess is pretty much cleaned up, now it will take some time to get it looking good again..xxoJudy
DeleteJudy, I am so sorry about your secret garden. How frustrating to know it is not what it used to be. It will take time, work and patience to bring it back. Wishing you lots of love while you are taking away. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your secret garden ...
ReplyDeleteThinking of you as you take time away from blogging.
Stay safe and well.
All the best Jan
So sorry about your secret garden. Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts. Thelma xo.
ReplyDeleteMiss you sweet friend! Hope you are doing well during your time away.
ReplyDelete