Delighted to say that I am well ahead of my schedule, as everything is ready to get my April blog post published. Despite the delay with the March one, despite the feeling of disappointment, despite the difficulties to find a topic, I made it. I am still committed to get twelve blog posts out this year as next year is looking a bit uncertain since my main focus will be on celebrating an amazing milestone of ten years in the Emerald Isle! However, I need to remind myself, every now and then, that I have a busy life, which too often gets in the way of my writing endeavours, making it fine, somehow, not to meet deadlines (self-imposed ones). I am so used to being hard on me, that I keep forgetting to be kind to myself when it comes to self-inflicted time constrains, because at the end of the day it is only me to whom I am accountable.
It is a beautiful sunny evening here in South West Wicklow; it does feel like spring. Scared to say that there is actually a sense of summer just in case someone up there decides this is too good and brings the dullness back. The sun is shining, as it was yesterday and the day before yesterday and the day before the day before yesterday. The odd heavy shower here and there but I am not going to complain. All I can say is that “long may it last”. Incredible to see the difference sunshine makes: everyone is full of energy and definitely more cheerful; everything is alive and eager to grow and shine; everywhere you look has that captivating look of life, green grass and blossoms all over. A great dose of vitamin D, which was badly needed. One can never underestimate the power of the sunrays, they make you feel alive, they are invigorating, they gift you an injection of energy.
As usual, my cupán tae to keep me going. No candle lit today, nicely bright out there, and it would be pointless to have the candle flickering away. Rather than sitting on the couch I am at the kitchen table looking straight out of the window so I can admire the views of such a beautiful evening. The stunning blue sky, the array of flowers in our courtyard, the dandelions smiling away in the lawn, makes me wonder if I should be sitting outside among such a great setting. Nevertheless, the thing is that Chief Superintendent Smudge the cat would not be happy as she loves the company (or shall I say the mere presence of one of her human slaves). She is lying on the window still, enjoying the light, the sunshine and the heat, keeping an eye on me while she checks on the birds outside, just in case one of them gets too close to the window.
After over six years of publishing blog posts, I have never written about gardening even though it is one of my many passions (after writing, crafting, the Emerald Isle, swimming, travelling, etc. etc. etc.). Not too sure why I have not ventured into the joys of growing plants, flowers, vegetables and more. I have always had a connection with gardening. My parents used to have a house in the countryside side with plenty of olives trees and loads of blooms. I clearly remember those days when it was time to harvest the olives, those hot summer days when everything needed to be watered in excess or even those cold winter days when everything seemed to be dead. As a young adult, I was always pleased with my small balcony garden: just a few pots but enough to bring a smile to my face. When I moved to Ireland, it was not possible for me to have a small display nor even a pot or two. However, meeting my partner (who is a horticulturist and a very experienced gardener), was the perfect excuse to embrace again the pleasure of being among plants.
The overwhelming feeling of walking into a garden centre, falling in love with every single plant on display…
The overwhelming feeling of walking into a garden centre, falling in love with every single plant on display, wanting to buy as many flowers and pots as possible (one can never have too many of them), wondering if that ornament would fit somewhere in the garden. You wander from the majestic climbing roses, through the lush range of grasses, to the rocky mountain looking hebes, to that Japanese serenity of the acer trees, to the stunning Nandinas, to the captivating essence of the dianthus, the impressive colour power of the alstroemerias, to the simplicity of the osteospermums, to the elegance of the cosmos blossoms, to the silent beauty of the hostas, to the exuberant impact of the dahlias in late summer days, to the intoxicating smell of the jasmines. Plenty of trouble when the spring bulbs have arrived: daffodils and tulips competition time (my only worry is which I am not going to buy, lol). I always go for the white narcissus, they are simply unique, offering an endless choice of varieties. When it comes to tulips, an orange ballerina is the winner for me, their captivating elegance and class. And then you find yourself contemplating a superb display of pots: all sorts of shapes, materials, colours. The perfect window box for those early spring days, the all year round terracotta looking pot, and the colourful plastic ones to comfort you on those dark winter days. You cannot help it but wonder if you could squeeze into your garden a few more of them. On your way out to the till, pushing a heavy and packed trolley, you have to have a sneaky look at the ornaments and garden accessories available: from solar lamps and lanterns, to ceramic mushrooms and snails, to metal tier displays and of course, the always winning water features. How can you not feel the push to buy absolutely everything?
It is our oasis of peace, a place to relax and disconnect…
My partner and I have created a soul heaven: our courtyard! It is like being in the botanic gardens, someone said; the smell once you step in is amazing, says our local postman; it looks like a garden center, a good friend of ours tells us; you have loads of pots my mum’s words; we have indeed. It is our oasis of peace, a place to relax and disconnect, the perfect excuse to be outdoors, our joint activity as we love making plans for new additions, one of our daily topics of conversation as we discuss how to rearrange our display. My partner brings his horticultural knowledge when it comes to plants and flowers, choosing the right ones, looking after them, arranging the staging areas. I bring a touch of creativity by adding ornaments, pieces of furniture, solar lamps and creating a unique secret soul haven. He is well able to bring forward ideas of making the area more stylish with little investment. I am well able to move pots around to create a nice little corner or to find the perfect preloved piece of furniture.
The symphony of birds and running water soothes the soul…
After a busy day at work, or a long commute home, or a stressful day, in a nice summer evening, our courtyard is the perfect spot to chill out while listening to the birds singing away, the water running on our solar feature, sitting in the wooden beach (now with a wooden arch), while enjoying a cupán tae. The sun shining on the blossoms, provides us with a smile. The rainbow of colours makes us feel like we are in heaven. The symphony of birds and running water soothes the soul. On a chilly spring afternoon, it is always a treasure to sit down (well wrapped, of course) and admire the daffodils swinging away by a cold breeze. Even on a rainy day, momentarily stepping outside to listen to the raindrops falling magically on the leaves bringing that priceless essence of petrichor, one can feel the power of our little oasis. Our courtyard is also the perfect spot for having lunch or dinner al fresco among plants, relishing a quick brew while taking in some natural light, a great chance of making more memories!
Gardening is good for the soul, it connects us to nature, it nourishes the spirit, it enhances the feeling of great achievements!
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 