Monday, January 19, 2009

My Mother's Garden

From In the Garden

Hi all! Today's post is short and sweet. The title of it stands for two things; which will become clear by the end of your reading. A flower in My Mother's Garden is pictured above. A lovely flower (gladiolus) full of color and at its peak back in October in Maine. This garden is a new 'old' garden. It has been dug many times out front of my mother's home in Mid Coast Maine. Dug many times you say? Yes, as gardens go, sometimes the gardener gets swept up in other things and the garden gets-uh-swept away by time. I think that this garden will hang tough for a while because even as my parents grow older and less able to do gardening, I have a wonderful sister who lives right next door to them. She will care for this garden to honor my mother. She is a Saint in all she does and also loves her mother's garden.

I wanted to share this picture and initially had it set to post on tomorrow's "Veggie Garden Update", but found a better reason to post it today that is more applicable. You see, mother's gardens are an important thing in almost all gardener's lives. If not their mother, then their father or grandmother, or grandfather, or aunt, or uncle...well you get the idea...gardened and we gardeners have those special memories of the gardens and the gardeners. I know I do. Just about everywhere I lived growing up I was able to garden, and my mother allowed that by making the gardens and having someone come rototill the rocky soil of Maine. My mother's gardens are special to me. Another garden blogger also finds her mother's garden is very special. In fact, Karrita even named her blog My Mother's Garden.

Karrita is a blogger who not only has beautiful gardens, but also makes crafts for gardens. As such, she decided to do a series of posts on other 'Artists In the Garden" and chose me to interview for her series after I posted my Glass on Glass Mosaic post. She is posting the interview today on her blog found here. I just want to thank her for dedicating a post to me and also a post on Linda Lunda.

My mother's garden and grandmother's garden have been real inspirations to me and to countless others, especially my sister. What relative inspired you....

in the garden....

You all go on over to Karrita's and say hello. I sent her a special picture of that other glass on glass mosaic door mounted.....in the garden.

36 comments:

  1. Hi Tina, what a sweet tale, and hooray for the talented Karrita for seeing the genius in your glass doors, for they are magnificent! Your mother's garden being tended by your sister is the best thing ever, it benefits them all. How lucky for them to live next door to each other too. I will rush over and check out Karrita's post. Congrats, so well deserved. I hope you get a million visitors! :-)
    Frances

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  2. Hi Tina! True that most of the gardeners are inspired by their mothers (and other relatives too) as I. My mom had a huge garden and cows (when she was young) and buffalo until she came got married. When I was young (and even now), I love(d) listening to her tales - like how cute one of her calves were or what a darling her buffalo was! She's so experienced and is a treasure chest of info on Plants and their uses. You inspired me to write about it... Thank you so much. Headed to Karrita's blog...

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  3. Tina, what a beautiful flower and beautiful tribute to your mother.

    I think is is wonderful that your sister is tending the garden. For the past few years I have tended my father's garden and it has given me great joy to do so.

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  4. Hi Tina,

    What a delightful flower to see practically first thing this morning! I know that your mother is so very glad to have your sister so close and how sweet that your sister is able to tend her garden. I know it must bring them both joy. I can't wait to read Karrita's post. Heading over there now. gail

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  5. Good morning all! Not sure when Karrita will put up the post-I am interested in seeing it too:)

    Thanks Frances, My sister is such a good daughter and a lifeline for my parents. She is grudgingly getting into the garden-she sees it too:) Do ck out Karrita's post. She plans to do quite a few artists in the garden-can't wait to see your interview! As you are the master artist. I just got lucky with my idea. Once in while it happens. btw Walmart had a big sale on glass gems. You know I got a few.

    Chandramouli, I am so looking forward to hearing about your mother's garden-cows and buffaloes? Wow! I am betting it was a well fertilized garden too:) Can't wait to read about it and I hope she still has a garden too.

    Susan, Yes, your father's garden is wonderful. Sorry again for his recent loss. Have you thought of a memorial for him? It will still keep you close to him I think.

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  6. Hi Gail, Not sure when Karrita will post it-I'm probably too early. Darn it we should've coordinated the times-Karrita are you listening:)

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  7. Great post, Tina. My Grandmother's garden was a huge inspiration to me as was my parent's garden. I hope to blog about both sometime soon.

    I'm glad your garden art was chosen for Karrita's blog. Your panel of gems turned out so well.
    Marnie

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  8. Marnie, I will eagerly look forward to your posting on your grandmother's garden. I too had a wonderful gardening grandmother. I so wish she could see my garden now. And thanks on the glass mosaics. I am getting ready to do some more. May even get ambitious and offer one up as a prize on this year's blogiversary. Hmmmmmm, let's see HOW ambitious I do get! Making them is not a problem, it will be mailing it to whoever would win it. Ha! I'd have to figure that one out.

    Hey all, Karrita put the post up now. Go check it out. Brrr, we have a teensy bit of snow here. Too cool!

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  9. Beautiful "glad" as we call them down here. My inspiration came from my grandmother who had large flower and veggie gardens. My mother had "beds" of irises, daylilies and a few hydrangeas.

    I'll check out the story.

    Cameron

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  10. Hi Tina~ I love this!
    This is s a touching tribute to all the mothers out there who planted the seeds of gardening in all of us!

    It really is a pleasure getting to know you and your zest for life through your interview and blog posts! Thanks for being open to doing it and sharing it with others who visit your blog.

    Karrita

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  11. Cool Tina! The glass doors looked awesome.

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  12. Hi Tina, what a nice post. I remember my mom planting gardens around the house and also laying a stone sidewalk --picked rock by hand and laid them out so you could walk alongside the flower garden. Of course, we were always the "helpers" when mom did a project like that. Now, mom is older but still gets a big excited when she sees a new plant she'd like to have. She can no longer do a garden but does manage a few nice mum bushes and rose bushes. I have her come down and walk around my garden in the spring so she can get her fill of pretty flowers. I think it is such a lovely tribute to mom's and grandmom's. My grandma would redo her front flower bed --and my aunts would dig out all the bulbs and take them inside. I am guessing because it was the mountains and got so cold but every year when they put them back in that yard it was magnificent! And, never a problem with being hungry in my grandma's yard. She had blueberry, wild strawberry, gooseberry bushes (my favorite) and eldeberry bushes too. I have many great memories. What a great way to start my day --thanks:) Ciao

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  13. This is so true, Tina. I "helped" my mother in the vegetable garden as a child and watched her work among her flowers. But it took many years for the gardening bug to really take with me. My mother has always been there for me, though, with advice and often free plants.

    I will head on over to Karrita's!

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  14. Cameron, Your mother's garden sounds like my mothers with the irises, daylillies and hydrangeas. Exactly! Just add a glad or two. Would love to hear of your grandmother's garden.

    Karrita, The name of your blog and the story behind it honoring your mother was my inspiration-so thanks! And I am quite honored you chose me to interview.

    Dave, Thanks! Thinking of making an extra one to give away on here at some point since everyone seemed to like them so much, much smaller of course. Stay tuned.

    Anonymous, I had no idea you loved gooseberries! You are in luck! I have tons and am getting ready to change the garden since Mr. Fix-it needs more parking areas. Would you like me to dig you a few? You know they have thorns so find a good spot and I'll hook you up. Your mother is a sweetie too. So lucky to have such a good daughter as you. Kind of like my sister Terri.

    Rose, That is something that it took a long time for the garden bug to catch you-and now look at you-with your own garden blog and gardening so much with such lovely plants. I know your mom is proud a bit of her caught you.

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  15. Dear Tina,
    A lovely tribute to your Mother and all the gardeners that came before us. My father had a small rose garden he tended. I wish I had pictures of it!
    Looking forward to the interview!
    Sherry

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  16. Pretty picture of mom's glad. I'm on late but I will check the interview out. Too much snow again.

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  17. That is a wonderful tribute. While my mom and dad didn't teach me anything about gardening or allow me into the gardens we did have when I was extremely little, I still managed to get the garden gene. I'm sure I'll get it all figured out in time. It's wonderful that you had guidance on your way.

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  18. Good Morning All,
    Tina that was such a nice tribute to your Mom. And, your sister is so sweet to help with your mom's garden. I love the color of the "glad". I think I have a couple of that color.
    As a child I didn't have the garden "bug". But now as I get older I have it big time. Thanks to my Mom as she was an inspiration to me at the time even though I didn't realize it at the time. I only wish she were here with her vast knowledge to help me now.

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  19. A great tribute to your mom Tina! The glad is beautiful and brightens up my morning with our lack of sun shine. How wonderful that your glass doors were selected for interview! They are spectacular and interview worthy. I think you could start a business with those doors, they are that wonderful…

    The gardening gene seems to pass over my mom lol I learned about flowers and plants from my two grandmothers. I learned about vegetable gardens from our next door neighbor. As children, we kids turned the veggie garden into a world of exploration! We climbed the apple tree and picked treats when we were not making forts and chasing off our imaginary enemies.

    My dad has the gardening touch and I have learned from him as well. My mom loves the flowers dad plants and may join in to plant a few but she prefers to let him play and her enjoy the results. lol

    I will go check out Karrita’s post now. Then off to play with the Saint for the day. We are going to be installing wood casings on the living and bedroom windows to day. Oh, joy, joy… arggg…

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  20. I was thinking along the very same lines this morning about my great-grandmother's garden. I grew up with her until her death when I was 13. She worked the garden most every day, as it was where we got our food from. We didn't rely on food from the grocery.
    Brenda

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  21. Well this was quite the surprise!!
    Thanks, daughter dear. Sometimes you give me too much credit cause when you were a kid and would have a garden I remember you doing a lot of the digging by hand. You also had a big hand in my flower garden this past summer and bought and planted many plants for it. Also Terri-Lynn is a real God sent angel for me, being next door is the best and she does do a lot inside and out for us but I am ever so proud when she works in the garde since she HATES gardening
    and can't understand anyone loving it!!!!

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  22. Your post really got me thinking about where my gardener gene may have come from. Neither of my parents were into gardening while I was growing up, but my dad now owns a nursery and my mom is inching toward orchid cultivation. In some ways we are inspiring each other!

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  23. Hi Tina, what a nice post, a great tribute to your mum. I have read the interview at 'My Mother's Garden' very nice and such a great idea.

    LOLove Tyra

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  24. I was thinking as I was reading your post Tina, that your Mom would probably be so proud. I was influenced by my family to garden too so I completely understand. It's wonderful your Mother has family around to help her maintain her garden. Gardens provide so much joy, I can't imagine growing older without one.

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  25. Even though my mother really didn't involved me much in her gardening (weeding only) it still had an impact on me and I have a flower gardenno matter where I live. IN Alaska it was in pots but it was there! Thank you for the reminder of what my mother has given me.

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  26. I've been to Karrita's and loved it! And it was great to read your interview...your garden is very beautiful!

    Same inspiration for me too--my mother taught me the love for gardening. The connection you made in today's post is lovely...and the same word goes for the gladioli in your mother's garden.

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  27. What a lovely tribute to your first garden mentor! I checked out the interview you did with Karrita. Wonderful photos of your garden and I love the flag you painted on the window. :)

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  28. Hi Sherry, How wonderful your dad had a rose garden. I bet your mom got tons of roses:)

    Dawn, Do stay warm! We got a dusting of snow. How's that for snow?

    Cinj, Thanks. Yes I think sometimes the garden bug just hits us at certain points. A wonderful 'bug' I'll take any day.

    Lola, My mother is truly blessed with my sister so close. And isn't gardening great? I mean it brought us together and so many wonderful friends.

    Skeeter, Now I know your dad gardens, and I'm glad to hear your mom does too. If only to enjoy your dad's hard work:) Grandmothers are great for teaching grandkids gardening. I hope mine can come visit at some point-they'll be in the garden.

    Brenda, What a wonderful story of your great grandmother! To not have to grocery shop is a dream. She sounds like a winner to raise you up.

    Mom, Without your diligence in all the places we lived with someone to come rototill we never would've had a garden. I've enjoyed them all and hope you have your veggie seeds ready to start soon for your veggie garden this year. It is almost time. Terri is such a sweetheart and I am betting she will get the garden bug. She seemed quite enthusiastic when I was last up there.

    JGH, You should post about your parents. The orchids must be heavenly this time of year in New York. I see so many posting on them. And your dad owns a nursery? Hmmmm....sounds like a great spot to shop for plants with a large discount for the daughter!

    Tyra, Thanks! Karrita inspired it and it just happened to work out with my mother's garden and the flower. I was truly going to post the picture tomorrow then fate brought the good idea for today. Amazing how connected we all are.

    Kathleen, I'm with you, I simply cannot imagine life without a garden. Even in my very old age I'll hopefully still be out there weeding and pruning. My mother is blessed and proud. She reads and comments on here each day. The blog has been an excellent way to keep in touch for us. Would love to hear about your family's influence on you. Maybe a post on it someday?

    Vickie, From Alaska to Florida! Wowser! That is a big difference! And how great your mother influenced you so much. I think you are a talented gardener way down there in sunny Florida.

    Kanak, Thanks on the connection. I am thinking how can I tie this all in and get Karrita in and make a meaningful In the Garden post. It was fun doing it but had her blog another name I am not sure how I would've done it:) Thanks for your kindest comments always.

    Racquel, I can see a few of those flags on your privacy fence. I saw this idea at an on post home and was smitten. It is a really simple folk art feature. Just pick a good window and paint the flag on one side (or anything to your choosing) and display. The glass side is out so it is ever so fun. The interview with Karrita did show a few other sides of me. I know I put my views out there enough, but it was doing it in an interview.

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  29. That was so sweet of Karrita to do this for us!
    She is so so so ... shit.. wy is my English so bad!!!!! GRRRR!!!
    Anyway.. I do love her!!!
    She is so speciall! Yepp!
    Linda

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  30. Linda, It was very, very special indeed! And I think your English is quite good-way better than my Swedish. Anyone who can speak two language AND write in them is pretty good no matter the stumbles. You do great with your garden and your art indeed. Still loving those coat of arms too.

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  31. A lovely post, as always, Tina. We never know, as children, what seeds of gardening love will be planted in us, and when they will take root and bloom later. Thank you for this, as for each post you write.

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  32. Jodi, That is ever so kind of you and from one of the best garden bloggers out there and most popular, I truly am honored by your sweet comment.

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  33. I loved both the picture and the tribute. Really heartfelt. Thanks a lot.

    Greetings from London.

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  34. you flowers pics are awesome. The details so clear and really talks!

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  35. ACIL, Thanks! But I don't think it compares to your essay to your son. So sweet.

    FJL, Thanks and welcome! I enjoy your blog too and find it hard to believe folks can find apples exotic and I am sure you are thinking what is up with folks finding starfruit exotic? Amazing how blogging brings the world closer together.

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  36. Really nice post! I wouldn't be in the garden without my mother's influence. She was a girl scout leader and interested in all sorts of things in the natural world. She did an amazing job of sharing that enthusiasm with her kids.

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