Wordless Wednesday

View from our back gate.
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A Gracious Thank You!

I wanted to thank everyone once more for dropping by my 2nd Annual Practical Magic Party post over the weekend! Your kind words make my heart sing and I appreciate them more than you know. What a delightfully fun time it's been again and I look forward to next year's! It was good to see familiar faces and new ones.

A big, gracious "Thank You!" to the wonderful Anna of Frosted Petunias for hosting again this year!

2nd Annual Practical Magic Blog Party 2011 is Here! *Updated*

It's time for the 2nd Annual Practical Magic Blog Party created & hosted by the wonderful Anna of Frosted Petunias!


My sincerest apologies for getting this up rather late! The adventure that is post Hurricane Irene cleanup & repairs has been taking up too much time recently. (sigh) Things are a mess; I only started decorating for Autumn yesterday and I'm missing Halloween decorations!

Luckily my broom is always safe and sound by the front door so at least I don't have to wonder where it is. (Not that it hasn't been known to scamper off now and again - naughty broom).

I was afraid, quite honestly, that I wouldn't even get a post up sometime today! I kept hitting dead ends with every other one I tried. But, this morning I sat here at the computer and it flowed. Thankfully! I would have been so disappointed if I'd missed this, it was such fun last year!

As some may remember from last years party, while I like the movie, (and love that house!), I love the novel by Alice Hoffman! For those who haven't read it, here's a summary from Goodreads:

"The bestselling author of Second Nature, Illumination Night and Turtle Moon now offers her most fascinating and tantalizingly accomplished novel yet -- a winning tale that amply confirms Alice Hoffman's reputation not only as a genius of the vivid scene and unforgettable character but as one of America's most captivating storytellers.

When the beautiful and precocious sisters Sally and Gillian Owens are orphaned at a young age, they are taken to a small Massachusetts town to be raised by their eccentric aunts, who happen to dwell in the darkest, eeriest house in town. As they become more aware of their aunts' mysterious and sometimes frightening powers -- and as their own powers begin to surface -- the sisters grow determined to escape their strange upbringing by blending into "normal" society.

But both find that they cannot elude their magic-filled past. And when trouble strikes -- in the form of a menacing backyard ghost -- the sisters must not only reunite three generations of Owens women but embrace their magic as a gift -- and their key to a future of love and passion. Funny, haunting, and shamelessly romantic, Practical Magic is bewitching entertainment -- Alice Hoffman at her spectacular best."

Alice Hoffman's Here On Earth was my favorite of hers for many years until I read Practical Magic last Summer for the first time. Oddly enough, I've had that old paperback since 2002 but I never got around to reading it (and it somehow survived a nasty breakup along the way and a move from inland to the coast a couple of years after that). Normally an avid reader, last Summer I could barely pay attention to tv much less read anything and ended up only reading 2 books.

For those of you who don't know, last Summer (2010) during the July 4th weekend, I ended up in the hospital for a week, fairly close to death, because of a bacterial infection that had taken over in addition to an unrelated obstructed kidney stone which blocked my left kidney to the point it 'ballooned' and was 'sweating' toxic urine into my body. I was put in the 'adult cardiac critical care unit' because the high fever I had elevated my heartrate above 145 beats per minute and they were afraid I was going to have a heartattack. I had emergency kidney surgery during which a nephrostamy tube was insterted to drain the kidney, which I lived with for 3 months, and overall continued recovering at home both before & after the tube removal last October, well into this year, 2011.

At first I didn't have the energy to do much more than watch tv. I tried reading but I couldn't focus. Eventually I was able to knit just for the sake of knitting. I was so overwhelmed! After that I re-read A Year By The Sea by Joan Anderson, a memoir. (Which I highly recommend!)

Then, for some reason, I picked up Practical Magic. Once I did, I couldn't put it down until I was finished with it. I'm a sucker for just about any book that has such wonderful garden descriptions in it because not much gives me greater joy than my gardening, but it was more than that which kept me reading every given chance I could. Then again, we all know that gardens are magical places, even in the pages of a novel. Perhaps I fell under a spell...?

Speaking of spells, never try doing them while your hair is falling out in droves like mine was last Summer & Autumn! (Because of the illness, meds & anesthesia). Cleaning up after those pickles was a chore indeed! Anyhoo...

Then I discovered the Practical Magic Blog Party after I was finished reading the novel! (I've no idea how I came upon it - I have large memory gaps now, the result of that infection and the anesthia from the second surgery last October). It was just what I needed at the time! Something to get my creative juices flowing again. Something I had such FUN with. A pleasant distraction from all Id' been going through.

Before I let you leave and move on to the next party post, I'll share with you a couple of my favorite quotes from the novel:

"Still, she often dreams of the aunts' garden. In the farthest corner there was lemon verbena, lemon thyme, and lemon balm... Everything in the garden had a purpose, even the lush peonies, which protected against bad weather and motion sickness and have been known to ward off evil..."

"Always keep mint on your windowsill in August, to ensure the buzzing flies will stay outside, where they belong... Never presume August is a safe or reliable time of year. It is the season of reversals, when the birds no longer sing in the morning and the evernings are made up of equal parts golden light and black clouds..."

Thank you for dropping by friends! Hope to see you again next year!

If you'd like to see my PMBP post from last year, just click here.

And now, before I hop on my broom & fly off to visit all of you, I have to fuel up with a cuppa tea & maybe a brownie then take a quick walk through the garden. What? Oh yes, I do garden and have many things blooming as we speak. Yes, gardens are magical places indeed! Yes, that's rosemary by the gate. Yes, I have many roses & lavender, see? Over there, there, there and there. Hm? No, the lavender is inside, dyying on the mantle along with hydrangea blooms. We have to hurry now. Well, I need to clip some of the peony foliage to bring with me. Because it's raining here and I'm very prone to motion sickness, especially when I fly...

To have a peak at my own gardens, just click here.

(This is a partial shot of the cover of my paperback copy of Practical Magic).















An update; I've dropped by the house to refuel for a long night of blog hopping after what's been a delightfully fun day already! Welcome to Pumpkin Manor, where Pumpkin Blessings abound!

In My Garden Today: Garden Walk

A Royal Wordless Wednesday

Ladies and gents, I give you 'Queen Elizabeth' Grandiflora. (Yes, I featured her last Wordless Wednesday, but she apparently loves this Autumn weather we're having & has been blooming non-stop!)
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Another Delightful Annual Party Announcement!

Look at what that crow dropped into my lap as I sat in the yard earlier!

He cawed and cawed, apparently trying to get my attention, but look up, I wouldn't and so I believe he got frustrated. Thankfully though, he made his delivery anyway and Made My Day!

I do hope you'll join me, the enchanting Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist and the many others for this annual haunted blog hop! Click here or on the widget in my left-hand column for info!

It's Nearly Time Again!

The 2nd Annual Practical Magic Blog Party created & hosted by Frost Petunia's begins Friday evening, September 23 and officially starts on Saturday, September 24, 2011! I joined in last year, had so much fun and met many wonderful folks. I hope you'll join in the fun with me again this year! For all of the info, click here:

Wordless Wednesday: Diary Of A Bloom

The regal and beautiful 'Queen Elizabeth' grandiflora.

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Thoughts On A Mid-September Day

It is a lovely, quiet, late Summer day here on the coast. Hazy and warm but the strong breeze hints of the nearing Autumn, a taste of which we'll get by weeks' end.

I am relieved that September 11th and the 10th Anniversary of that horrific day has passed. The strangling dread that builds up as days like that approach is so awful. And it's not that what happened goes away once a marked day like that passes, but there is a powerful feeling of relief that envelopes me in the days after for which I'm very thankful.

I will always watch the services from the WTC site in Lower Manhattan as long as they are televised. I will keep visiting local 9/11 memorial sites and one day visit the new memorial in Manhattan. (I haven't been back to the WTC site in a long time). I will always light candles, pray, sob, honor, mourn and give thanks on 9/11 no matter where I am or how many years go by. I will never forget.

I don't know if I'll go to local memorial services anymore on 9/11 (unless we're asked to participate with the American Legion). We attended one Sunday evening with friends and I came away from it feeling as though I didn't need to go to them anymore. I can't explain it other than to say I finally feel like I can move forward.

Just typing that brings a stake of guilt through my heart.

But, for me, it's time.
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I Can Never Forget...

And I hope you never will either.
September 11, 2001.

If you'd like to know my September 11th story, click HERE.

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An Ordinary Day, Much Like It Was Then, But Is It Really?

Ten years ago today, it was the day before our lives and world were changed, directly & indirectly, by the horrific death and destruction of September 11th.

I'm fighting to keep the tears from falling, I'm not ready yet. With all of the stresses the last few weeks because of Hurricane Irene, the approach of September 11th has been too much. Unlike previous years, I haven't watched the documentaries containing footage of images that have given me nightmares all these years. I can't watch anything to do with September 11th without being completely choked up or crying, even now, 10 years later. I doubt that will ever change.

Today I'm heading down to the harbor for the annual flea market, something I always look forward to. But, unlike 10 years ago, I won't see the Twin Towers when I look across to Manhattan Island and today especially (and tomorrow during the Memorial Services), that will bring my soul to tears.
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(Not So) Wordless Wednesday: Seems I'm A Bit Rusty

I used to be a teller of tales, didn't I tell many a tale? Happy adventures, sad & frustrating ones too, in the garden and out & about, of kitties & feathered friends, of things in the fog, whispers of our past, holiday & seasonal fun and so much more!

I got derailed last Summer (surely y'all remember!) and a year later I'm still not 'back on track.' Huh! Funny how that happens. Odd. There's lots of talk lately of "getting back to normal" and I realized for me, that's not the case, it's more like finding a new normal. Again! Which isn't a bad thing at all, it's something I'm used to actually given my health obstacles. So perhaps the same applies to my blog here.

Not that I won't keep sharing (oodles of) photos - y'all know how much I love taking & sharing them. But this has become more of a photo blog since last Summer and that wasn't my intention. It served its purpose though as I wasn't able to write during much of my illness, surgeries & long recovery and my photos helped me keep Diggin' Around going. But it's time for me to return DA to its pre-July 2010 self! (Or an improved version, even better!)

Summer is quickly coming to an end and y'all know how I perk up as Autumn begins to show itself; I'm feeling utterly creative and excited! (Nope, my body isn't exactly cooperating, but my mind is and that's good enough for me).

Speaking of Autumn, some delightful new Halloween friends followed me home last week! (Psst - You can catch a sneak peak of them in the slideshow in the left hand column). Oh, they're just wonderful & I can't wait to begin decorating. Because of those dearies, I've decided on this years Autumn/Halloween 'theme' of sorts: Pumpkins! Lots & lots of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors. (clapping with giddy joy) And that helped me to give our coastal home a name last night while tweeting (on Twitter) with a couple of #gardenchat friends.

We've had names for our northern home since we got it in 2009: 'Home Away From Home' and 'The Cabin.'

But it wasn't until last night that I realized we've never had a name for our coastal home & we've lived here since 2006! Not a few moments later, after thinking of my new Halloween friends & a phrase I use here on DA in the Autumns, it came to me: "Pumpkin Manor - where Pumpkin Blessings abound."

I Love It! (clapping with giddy joy again) Pumpkin Manor and The Cabin. (ear-to-ear grin)

Again, funny how that happens, isn't it?!

I honestly feel like Scrooge after he wakes & realizes he has been given another chance and has so many things he wants to do, at first he doesn't know where to start! Hm, maybe I'll dance around our bedroom then stand on my head. It worked for him! He got right to business after that.

Speaking of Christmas, well, alright, I wasn't speaking of Christmas, I was speaking of Scrooge but Scrooge is synonymous with Christmas, so, well, anyhoo, I have a delightful idea for my many dried garden blooms for this coming holiday season. Hopefully it will work out and I can share the 'how-to' and finished product with you!

Well, I should wrap up for now as I've babbled & rambled along so, I doubt there's anyone left reading at this point! Oh, you are?! Why thank you kindly! I hope Summer has treated you well and I pray all of you who are dealing with weather extremes & wildfires that you & your families are safe and sound.

Until next time friends!
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Costa Farms "Garden Of The Month" For September 2011 Goes To...

Yours truly!

I am utterly surprised, touched, honored and proud!
After all we've been going through pre & post Hurricane Irene,
I can't begin to tell you how this has lifted my spirits & made me smile!

My heartfelt thanks and appreciation again go out to:
~ The great folks at Costa Farms
~ Talented gardening friend & all around wonderful lady Brenda Haas, BG Garden, who nominated me
~ The incredible #gardenchat #gardenwalk & #rosechat communities on Twitter.

Scrolling through past gardens of the month, I see what incredible company I am in - I still can't quite believe all of this!