January 1, 2011

For the last few years, I have marked the first of each month with a photo and posting about something that grows in my garden.  I wrote about my big tree in 2008, in 2009 it was the hosta patch by the garage, and last year, I wrote about my apple and pear trees.  This year, I will write about the clematis vine that I am training to grow on a trellis in my backyard.

What these trees and plants have in common is that they are all things I've always wanted to plant or be responsible for.  My backyard is one of the most enjoyable parts of my home.  Each month of the year, it brings me pleasure.  Often, it also brings a very welcome surprise.  The garden is a comfort and a joy when life sometimes seems difficult.  It is one of the greatest blessings in my life.

I've written before that gardening is pleasing to me because it reminds me of the virtue of patience and the healing that time can bring.  A day in the garden is always a good day.  And on the first of the month for 2011 I will invite you to join me in the garden, where we can watch the clematis vine as it grows and climbs up the trellis.

Winter is a time of rest for most plants and the clematis, which was planted last spring as part of my life list projects, is clearly at rest.  But things will change as the year unfolds.  I'm looking forward to that.