I took Friday off as I was finally having my Housewarming Party on Saturday and wanted to cook and clean before the big day. But when I woke up, the sun was shining, I had been expecting rain, so I decided to have a swift hike before committing to chores. I'd found a couple of new spots where I could access the AT, entry points that no Meetup group has yet posted, and I'll be keeping quiet about these. As expected my car was the only one there. The air was thick and wet from the humidity, oppressive and feeling like I had to punch my way through it. We'd had a lot of rain, and the mosquitoes buzzed loudly about my head as I quickly wiped my exposed skin with an organic deterrent, yet despite my protection they persisted in their attacks. The woods were a lush jungle green, the path barely drying. The foliage looked as though it had just burst from tight buds, it was so fresh and vibrant. Shiny new paw paw leaves unfurled and the Japanese stiltgrass stretched across the ground filling every bare brown patch of earth with wide flat blades of grass.
I only ended up hiking a couple of miles. My heart wasn't really into it once I started. I began worrying about the many tasks that had to be
completed before the party, but I will be back to explore these new parts of the trail at
a more leisurely pace and when I can relax more. I had also noticed a bank on the way here filled with Aaron's Rod plants and I wanted to look at these closer before getting on with my chores.
I adore these plants. They had always been abundant in the old brickfields when I lived in Conyer back in England and every time I see them they remind me of a dear old friend, Bernard, who had also lived in the hamlet. He had identified them for me when we'd gone on our many walks with his dog, Simba, and looked for old Victorian bottles to dig up. I had worked a few summers with him at Hever Castle, where we had built the bleachers for the amphitheater where Shakespeare plays had been performed. We'd pulled out long heavy planks of wood and many metal poles for the construction from storage, building the whole structure with a few hand tools and plenty of muscle. Only towards the end did he hire another couple of lads when after the we'd finished building the seating, we'd need additional hands to pull over the huge tent canopies across the metal frames which provided shelter for the seats. Those were wonderful days, when during our breaks we'd walk the grounds, allowed into outbuildings that the general public never saw. I remember standing in the old stables, sniffing the musty hay while reflecting that Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII had very likely stood in the same spot with their horses. Sometimes we would go to the local pub for lunch but mostly we'd sit on our newly built seating, munching sandwiches and enjoying the fresh air. I bet that seating isn't built by hand anymore, more likely been replaced by something much easier to erect. We'd also go back at the end of summer and dismantle the structure,carefully packing everything away in the right order as every piece of wood and metal was numbered. I also remember being in awe of Bernard and his skill at being able to drive his beat up 2 door van along the country roads with his knees while getting out his tobacco tin and casually rolling then lighting a cigarette. Dear Bernard passed a few years ago but I have so many fond memories of him and will always think of him when I see these plants.
From a distance they look like pillars of green dripping in gold coins that glittered in the bright sunlight. Insects buzzed and hovered in busy clouds around them since they give off a sweet honey scent, and ants crawled over the not yet opened flower buds. The soft leaves folded and curled almost in a pattern up the thick stalks, collecting the petals as they fell. I actually felt very homesick seeing these beautiful plants yet at the same time comforted because it was a part of home that was here in America.
Aaron's Rod is regarded as a weed in England but here it's known as Carolina Lupine or Common Mullein and because it was brought over by European settlers it's now regarded as a native plant. Interestingly, the leaves were once used as toilet paper or put inside shoes, providing comfort and warmth. Once dried the leaves were also used as torches by Romans after being dipped in tallow.
I will have some in the garden for next year and will go back to this spot to get seeds. Crown Vetch sprawled below these golden glories like a white and purple carpet, also buzzing with bees. This bank was a wonderful wild pollinator area.
As I arrived back home I looked up at The Blue House and spotted my friendly doe under the weeping cherry. I had pruned this just a couple of days ago, pulling out all of the dead wood underneath as well as lopping off straggling branches. The previous owner had told me the doe liked to sit under this tree in the mornings but I guess it had been difficult to get under until I'd trimmed it.
I backed up the drive slowly and she sat watching me, staying in her spot even when I got out of the car. She didn't look the least bit worried about my presence. I had a few words with her and then quietly went indoors. I have also discovered that a mockingbird is nesting in the tree. She sits on my front porch and makes a right racket while glaring at me through the window. I guess she wants me to vacate my home until she's reared her babies!
I spent the rest of the day making banana bread and putting together a batch of sausage and potato in a huge pan with peppers, onions, mushrooms, red wine and handfuls of basil from the garden. Once cooked this marinated overnight in the fridge. I dusted and vacuumed my already clean house and by the evening I was ready for visitors, meaning I had a day to sit and relax before my party began. On Saturday I made a batch of ham and spinach tarts and relaxed with Rosie Lee and Tricksie Treat before the guests arrived.
The party went swimmingly. As well as the best people from DCUE coming, I had old neighbors and long time friends joining in, and everybody got on splendidly, although a few of my favorite faces were missing. I took a couple of photos but as the evening progressed my pictures became a little blurry and I was enjoying myself way too much to remember to take some snapshots. I got a kick out of seeing people mingle that had never met previously and as I popped back into the house occasionally I was happy to see that some had found quiet sitting spots to chat, my studio area upstairs included. But the best part of all was the wonderful comments I got about my back garden. Carmen was the best, "Oh my God, it's amazing!" and wants me to fix her porch and yard. "I'll pay you!" she begged. I'll happily help her, even though I still have plenty of work in the front and back of my own place to do. but I puffed with pride as the compliments flowed, I really did feel like I had a little paradise at the back of my house. Some of my friends even brought me plants to add to the garden, a wonderful gesture, and with the dishes they brought we had a delicious spread.
As the groups changed throughout the course of the evening, I smiled as the chairs and tables changed positions too. It made me feel happy that my friends felt relaxed enough to make themselves comfortable. I had wondered initially if I had acquired too many chairs for the porches but it seemed I had just enough. Some were pulled around from the front porch and it seemed every time I came out from the house to the back porch the chairs had once again been shuffled about, it was like watching a silent musical chairs. The weather very obligingly decided to be perfect for the afternoon and evening. The humidity was low and the sun not too hot. I had turned on the AC but it really wasn't needed. Faint breezes wafted over the deck and not one person complained about the heat. We sat and ate, drank beer, chatted and relaxed. It was a wonderful party.
I took a few photos of the back garden a couple of days later as it's beginning to erupt into luscious growth. My elephant ears have emerged, hostas and ferns have sprouted at the back of the beds, moonflower and purple bean vines have found their trellises to climb. The tomatoes and basils, beans and peppers, cilantro, tarragon and rosemary are flourishing. All of my perennials are growing well, actually not one plant has died. My squash and zucchini are growing in the new space behind the fence as well as sunflowers and the hibiscus. My wild flower seeds have sprouted and finally so have my Mexican sunflower seeds. My pond is finally complete with its marginal plants in place and the cardinal flower growing at the back. It should flower in a couple of weeks.
All the pots and containers are growing well and for now I shall spend a month or so just enjoying this little haven. I may do a little weeding and coaxing but mostly I shall simply relish and luxuriate in my little spot of heaven. I still have plenty of work to do. Near the back gate is a carpet of liriope on the ground and the raised bed is full of it too. There's still a lot of grasses and all this will be pulled out to make way for native plants and a little bench nook under one of the living room windows. The plants won't die, one of my friends will bring his truck and take all of it for his New Jersey house where he wants ground cover. So until he's ready, the work can wait. and I can simply sit in my garden, relax, and listen to the bubbling of water from my pond while bees and butterflies buzz among the flowers.
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