Shady Respite

Stopping by the renovation to empty the dehumidfier (it really helps keep the house from sweating!!), while helping Sensei as he recuperates, has meant a lot less time spent at the project site. I share much of the water that collects with the plants since they are newly rooting and the rain has been sporadic. The really hot weather we had for a spell was great for their chlorophyll but not so good for their flowers and leaves, so I have been dumping 2-3 gallons of water at various spots and treating them for slugs and such.

With that hot weather and just running in and out, I have come to appreciate the huge buckeye tree that shades at least half of the side yard that I walk down to approach the house from the street level. There are various mystery plants that we have inherited spread throughout that garden, which have sprouted and bloomed since the spring (including many weed varieties that are still unidentified). They give a sense of green, especially to the sunny part at the top which has gone quite wild (many dinosaur plants) while waiting for a caring gardener's touch. (Won't be this year!!)

The previous tenant planted plenty of hostas in the shady area below the butterfly bushes and roses that tenaciously thrive despite any tender loving care. These shade lovers are quite content with the umbrella provided by the spreading arms of the buckeye and even though they are covered in leaf detritus rather than mulch, they seem to be flourishing, also.

So, even though my time is spent running while I pass through, the sense of coming into a loving space that the shade provides continues to encourage me about really settling into our new space and loving it. . .even while we're in the process.