Today continued with warm clammy-inducing humidity. The morning was still drizzly; although the afternoon was dry.
We both carried out further stints on the ironing backlog; Jackie’s before, and mine mainly after, lunch.
During the last few days, the Head Gardener has continued clearing the borders of paths such as the Phantom Path, the Cryptomeria Bed footpath, and the Brick Path. I helped her bag up the clippings from the latter.
The hanging baskets and other containers on the kitchen corner are filling out nicely. Having trimmed the fading Chilean Lantern tree has opened the red bottle brush plant to better viewing.
Elsewhere rose Just Joey is benefiting from trimming of the red carpet rose, and day lilies and gladioli mingle with geraniums.
As the afternoon wore on the light feigned the midnight hour. Suddenly a solitary thunder clap ushered in a brief torrential downpour which, like a Swedish runner practicing Fartlek training, varied its pace as it continued its descent. Fast periods dwindled to steady drizzle, then picked up tempo and repeated the process.
I read more of Charles Dickens’s novel, David Copperfield, and scanned four more of Charles Keeping’s illustrations displaying examples of his extensive range of portraiture.
‘I waltz with the eldest Miss Larkins’
‘I came out into the rainy street, at twelve o’clock at night’ looks as if Mr Keeping knows what is outside my window.
‘She was introduced as Miss Dartle’, complete with the scar the author describes.
‘Mr Peggotty laid his niece’s face with a gentle pride and love upon his broad chest, and patted it’, demonstrates the artist’s sensitivity to the author’s characterisation.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s spicy pasta arrabbiata with which she drank more of the Sauvignon Blanc and I drank more of the Fleurie.
The Garden looks lovely and I’m impressed with any man that will help with the ironing (Fortunately my husband was one such man when we were both working)–now we rely on taking them out of the dryer while warm.
Thanks very much, Pat.
Beautiful pictures from your garden. It does take a lot of work to keep up with weeding and maintenance but it is well worth it.
Jackie makes such a delightful and welcoming header, Derrick! Her smile is contagious. I’m not sure that we even have a working iron in our humble abode!
Thanks very much, Maj. 🙂
Your Head Gardener did a marvelous job! Your garden looks very attractive, with not a deadhead in sight.
Thanks very much, Jean 🙂
I love the hanging baskets. Such a delightful sight. I do hope I will find some hanging strawberries when I come visiting you 🙂
Thanks very much, Bridget 🙂 We don’t have strawberries – you’ll have to pick your own.
The garden is soo thick, green, and lush! I’ve never picked up an iron.
You are lucky, John. Single parenthood got me into it 🙂 Thanks very much
Such a vibrant sight, your garden; brings a smile even on a wet Monday!
Well done on all the weeding 🙂
Your red bottle plant is wonderful. As is the lovely metal archway –
I’ve got metal work envy at the moment; every garden I see seems to have really good, sturdy metal structures!
We have learned the hard way about buying structures less likely to rust. Thanks very much, Emma
Your gardens, pathways, flower beds, hanging baskets are all so fabulous.
x
Thank you very much, Melanie X
Just this afternoon, I mentioned to a colleague that we’re skipping merrily down the garden path! 🙂 But seriously, Jackie’s work on the paths looks great. I would skip merrily down them any old time.
🙂 Thank you very much, Liz
It’s a long time since I practiced fartlek. Thank you for bringing back a memory.
Me, too, Tootlepedal 🙂
I love the hanging baskets on the kitchen corner.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene. I must photograph them in better light.
I have a few hanging baskets in my courtyard Derrick, they are thrifty colourful displays for small areas, and I love your Aussie Bottlebrush, such a hardy and long lasting colourful bush ..
Thanks very much Ivor. We have four of these plants which I had never seen before we moved here
The Red Bottlebrush is a Caallistemon citrinus…
🙂 I’ll try to remember that
Gorgeous! You and Jackie are pros!
Thanks very much from us both, Jill.
Lovely header shot of Jackie. Her smile is contagious, and her hard work shows in your beautiful garden.
Thank you so much, Merril. I liked that picture because it also showed her tiredness in the humidity of the day.
Yes, I can see that, as well. Humidity is at almost 100% here right now.
Fartlek? I had to look that up and now understand your simile. With all this rain we are having, your plants must be putting on inches of growth every day! (Our weeds are taking over as I haven’t spent as much time in the garden as I should.) Your kitchen corner with the hanging baskets and pots and tubs is looking fabulous!
Thank you very much, Clare. Our weeds – and flowers – are doing the same. I’m pleased you looked up Fartlek – it was part of my Marathon training.
I love the fellow wearing the top hat in the rain. He may be the first of Keeping’s characters I’ve noticed who seems entirely pleasant and happy: appealing, even. His direct gaze is quite a contrast to the blank look in the eyes of the women next to him. The words fit the illustration perfectly — or vice-versa.
Thank you very much, Linda. From your description here it is clear that Keeping has represented the character faithfully to Dickens.
What a labor of love! Beautiful, beautiful garden.
Thank you very much, Laurie
I continue to be inspired by your pathways and must get some stepping stones to keep my urban forest from encroaching on my narrower paths.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
The force behind the garden that keeps fascinating us is the Head and her trusted Lieutenant and Chronicler.
The passage where you described the sudden rain in the dimly lit afternoon is breathtakingly detailed and rich in imagery.
Thanks you so very much, Uma
I think you should start turning your garden into a tourist spot! ? Much better than a botanical garden ? Absolutely beautiful! ??
Thank you so much, Ribana
Rained heavily and nonstop here, we’ve had lots of the wet stuff lately – I haven’t needed to water anything for over a week.
I love those hanging baskets, just gorgeous.
Jackie has been tipping water out of the hanging baskets! Thanks very much, Sue
“Fartlek, a Swedish term that means “speed play,” Well, I had the wrong idea completely!
Jackie thought it was rude – you obviously tuned in 🙂 Thanks a lot, John
The garden is looking so lush, no wonder the Head Gardener has a big smile on her face
Thanks very much, Sheree
I was another who immediately had to find out what Fartlek training might be. Kinda disappointing!
🙂 Sorry to disappoint, Yvonne. But at least you got the message. Thanks very much.
An excellent gallery. Jackie looks happy in her work.
Thanks very much, Andrew
You and Jackie certainly stay busy every day!!
Thanks very much, GP. I’ve just finished the last of the ironing 🙂
I’ll send you some of mine!
🙂 I suppose I asked for that
LOL
Bravo to you both for all your hard work. The kitchen corner already looks sensational.
Thank you so much, Susan
Seemingly, the pruning of shrubs and clearing/cleaning of pathways etc. is really wonderfully done by the expert garner. Regards.
Many thanks, Harbans, my friend
Thanks and regards.
What a riot of form and color! My favorite from today is the one with the red petunias. Many years I have a pot or two of those growing on the porch. The deer seem to leave them alone.
Gardens are a lot of work, but the beauty and creativity feed the soul and generate happiness and longevity.
I am still enjoying the illustrations.
Thank you so very much, Lavinia. What a relief to have some plants the deer ignore.
It could be they haven’t discovered how tasty they are yet. 🙂
🙂
The inimitable Keeping’s intrically intertwined fine lines create an impression of flowing waltz movement. A stark contrast appears in the still figure of Ms Dartle whose cutlery and the dishes in front of her are arranged in perfect order, and only her burning eyes show the “wasting fire” mentioned by the author. The rain is just as reminiscent of our weather, as it is of yours, Derrick, yet your fabulous garden seems to thrive under thee conditions.
Thanks very much, Dolly. I suspect Miss Dartle is to play a significant part at some stage. I like your observant linkage between text and illustration. I think our rain has ceased for a while.
Your rain has not ceased, Derrick; it has only changed location. Now it’s coming down here in torrents.
I hope you need it
Not in my kitchen, ruining my ceiling for the umptieth time…
Ah
Oh well, such is life in the tropics.
Your yard just keeps getting more amazing!
Thank you so much, AnneMarie
As always, I love the photos of your garden. The work that goes into keeping it trimmed and beautiful, weeded and healthy, growing and managed is phenomenal! Your pictures and the text from today’s Keeping are enchanting. Yes, I agree, “it is clear that Keeping has represented the character faithfully to Dickens.”
Thank you very much, Jan X
A wonderful way to stay busy, healthy and happy post retirement. The wall with hanging baskets is certainly impressive.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Your garden is looking beautiful and such a labour of love. Fartlek…now there’s a word I’ll be throwing in the ring at happy hour if the conversation slows.
Be careful how you pronounce it, Lindsey – at least you are not a Kiwi 🙂 Thanks a lot.
Gosh, I hadn’t thought of that.
🙂