SWEET TEA

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

I just can't hide it.

I want to be gentle, and say this quietly, "We've had our last freeze and our temps are OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD-BEAUTIFUL now.  Maybe I got a little loud.  Sorry.  I know many areas are having some bummer weather and still waiting for Spring, but it's arrived here and "I'm so excited!  I just can't hide it.  I'm about to lose control and I think I like it"!!

Marigolds to keep the mosquitos away.
If "they" can be believed.

Thriller - Geraniums
Filler - Begonias
Spiller - Sweet Potato Vine

"Herb", one of my favorite guys!
Parsley, Rosemary, Mint.

*All these plants have been potted now.
Does that mean they're "pot heads"?
Groan...I know.

These pots were white and used at Lil' Mama's wedding last year.  Let's hear it for a 10 minute spray paint job, and now they're black.

Kinda scrawny now but we'll revisit them when they've had time to grow bushy!


And of course I couldn't have gotten all of this done without my helper, "Mighty Murphy".  He didn't do much work but look at that suntan he's rockin'!

I've added a few things to my container garden since I took these photos.  So far, so good.  I decided to go entirely by containers.  The Oklahoma soil that we're on is beyond awful and I'm too lazy  busy to even think about amending the soil. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Those that follow me regularly know that I'm (along with my sister) the caregiver for our 86 yr old mother who is dealing with dementia.  I started not to write that, but the truth is there is no shame in dementia.  In all actuality Mom is doing very well.  She is physically healthy, and tho' forced (by the dementia) to live entirely in the moment.  Most of her moments are spent quite happily watching TV, enjoying a car ride, eating her favorite foods, and seeing photos and hearing stories about her grandchildren and great grandchildren who she no longer remembers.  Memories are important so we must savor them while they are ours, because there may come a time when they become out of reach.  At the same time, there is a lesson in simply being present and enjoying the now.  Hope your "now" is happy, be it sunny or snowy. rain or shine.

   ~Sweet Tea/deb


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

your plants look and sound wonderful! We are a long long way from planting anything here,, we still have snow,,

I was wondering how your mum has been, my one and only Aunt is battling dementia also,,its so hard,
that helper of yours ( Murphy )is a handsome fella!

yaya said...

I'm looking forward to my time to plant and I know it will arrive one of these days! We really don't even try to do much flower gardening until around Mother's Day. Too much chance for frost...been there, done that! So I'll enjoy yours until then! So sorry to hear about your Mom but she's seems to be getting wonderful care from you and your sister and how lucky she is to have a loving family to guide her through these last years. My Mom will be 90 in May and does well but she's starting to show signs of forgetting and having trouble here and there. She too has loving family around and hopefully we can enjoy her for how ever long the Lord lets us. Have a good, warm and wonderful Spring!

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

My Mom too, cheerful, loved everyone, remembered no one, liked hugs, visits, deserts, still could sing all the hymns but couldn't talk much, she just said "I love you" to everyone. She died 3 years ago and was peaceful (except she hated baths) to the last. Dad along with some home care help and pre-made meals looked after Mom for 15 years at home until he broke his hip. She moved into care (which she loved, music, people, things to do) and lived there for 5 years and Dad visited her every day, they walked the hallways together, he gave her vitamins at tea time as well as his desert and sometimes she drank his coffee too and they held hands on the couch in the lounge and he talked and talked telling her stories, she loved stories. He began having story hours for others who lived there and would have up to 30 residents sitting around lounge, listening and wanting another story.
Joy

acorn hollow said...

I am looking forward to plants again. So wonderful you can take care of your mom it is a blessing
Cathy

Susie said...

I would love a "now" with my mom..I miss her. I do know from my father going thru some dementia as he was rapidly aging and in the hospital...it is not easy. To have to repeat the same things over and over. I miss him too. Hug your mommy and love her in this moment. Please hug her for me too. Your flowers will look wonderful once they fill out. I would love to be able to plant the pansies I bought last month....I started then it turned winter again here. LOL. Blessings and hugs to you, xoxo,Susie

Nonnie said...

I have a couple of potted plants that survived the mild winter and I am so looking forward to hitting the nursery for more. I get so excited about planting and seeing all the colors of spring and summer. Our soil here is so bad.

You're right. There is nothing about dementia to be ashamed of. Speaking for myself, there is a fear and a sadness about it. Your Mom is one blessed woman to have your sister and you ... and really, all of you. Your Mister, your kids and grandkids all love on and care for her. Happy planting. From what I've seen, your home is just lovely.

STILLMAGNOLIA said...

The pots and flowers are awesome. We have one more cold snap this weekend....so I am going to wait until next weekend to put stuff in the ground and outside.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Sorry to hear of your mom suffering with Dementia....my parents are getting up there in age and have health issues as well but I'm blessed to still have them in my life. By the way, your 'helper' is just a little too much like my two helpers!! So cute, funny little Murphy!!

phylis said...

May God bless you, your sister and your mom.

phylis said...

May God bless you, your sister and your mom.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...