Home of the Practically Perfect Pink Phlox and other native plants for pollinators

Friday, June 25, 2010

Life Happens



My chore list grows daily: planting the dozens of perennials I bought this spring and kept waiting for the right time to plant; finish sharing my UK trip; memes I wanted to support and join; honoring the pollinators with a week of posts; divisions that need to happen; rearranging plants; dealing with Hedge; cleaning up the bush honeysuckle that went mad after our torrential rains...I was all set to get ahead of the chores when life happened.

First, we didn't have the usual delicious spring that visits us in February and continues until hotter weather arrives. Surprise! The hot weather arrived earlier then usual with 80+ degree weather. Then, torrential rain (18 inches in one day) brought gardening to a halt when the ground was wet and gooey for weeks. Travel interrupted plans, too. Although spending time in the UK with good friends was a treat. Then, our recent record breaking temperatures and no rain have brought gardening as I planned to a halt~ 110 heat index temperatures are not good for a gardener or newly planted plants. Let's not even talk about flea beetles, mosquitoes and other buggy creatures preying on a stressed garden.

Weather events and bugs happen all the time in a garden~We deal with those disappointments on a daily and annual basis. But, sometimes life happens in a huge way.

We got shocking news Wednesday morning. My dear, funny, older sister passed away suddenly. I so wish I could share with you some of her wry comments about our family dynamics~but, they would be lost in translation! They make me laugh just remembering them. What a gift that is for me~to think of her and smile and laugh. I will and it will help me grieve and honor her memories. I do miss the heck out of her and could use her side comments right now! Trust me, she would be at her funniest, irreverent best~

I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be in and out of my garden and blog over the next many weeks...See you all later and take care of yourselves.

Warmest thoughts,
Gail

61 comments:

  1. Gail, I'm so sorry to hear your news. A family member's serious illness has interrupted my own garden and other plans recently, but life happens and chores, blogs and gardens must sometimes wait. My prayers are with you and your family.

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  2. Your words have honored your dear sister well, Gail. Go ahead and do what you have to do, the garden and blog will wait for you with loving patience. Hugs and pattings from here, call anytime.
    xxxooo,
    Frances

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  3. Gail I am so sorry to hear that you lost your sister.

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  4. Gail, I am so sorry to hear about your sister, you have my sympathy. I most of us have a long list of things that should have been done in the garden but things can wait. Look after yourself and follow your instinct over the coming days.

    Very best wishes Sylvia (England)

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  5. Gail, so terribly sorry to hear about your sister. You have my deepest and heartfelt sympathy. Do rest assured that we will be here when you are able to come back to your blog. Your family needs you now and no doubt you need your family. ((Big HUGS))

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  6. Gail,
    Sorry to hear about your sister! Please accept my deepest condolences.


    Really liked your Silvery Checkerspot photo!

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  7. Thank you all~I so appreciate you all!

    gail

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  8. Gail, so sorry to hear about your sister. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  9. Dear Gail,

    My deepest sympathy during your time of loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Take care of yourself during this difficult time.

    Hugs,
    Freda

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.

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  11. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss of your sister. I am so sorry to hear of it. I hope that working in your garden (in better weather conditions!) will be good therapy for you.

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  12. Gail, you don't make your grief journey alone ... all of us who have made them ourselves walk beside you in spirit. I am so very sorry for your loss.

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  13. Dear Gail....I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. How wonderful that you can think of your sister and smile. She has left you the most precious gift it would seem.
    The garden sometimes reflects our own fragility, seasons come and go, and in a blink our life changes. I am sure your garden will comfort you in your grief, and you will hear your sisters voice, as you work amongst the flowers........

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  14. Gail,

    I'm sorry to hear about your sister. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I can't imagine losing a sibling. We're here if you need us!

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  15. Oh, Gail, I'm so sorry about your sister.

    Blogging is supposed to be an enjoyable pastime when we aren't busy doing important stuff. Don't let it become a chore or a responsibility or you will give up blogging like so many of our friends have.
    Marnie

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  16. Gail, I am so sorry to hear about your sister and hope you are doing OK. Do you have other siblings? I love a person who can make wry comments, esp. about family dynamics. My thoughts are with you. <3

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  17. Gail, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope those wonderful memories will help sustain you through these upcoming, difficult days. I'll be thinking of you. (((Gail)))

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  18. You make me want to grab my sister and hold her close. So sorry to hear of your loss - I'm glad you are able to take comfort in memories of her. You are both in my prayers.

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  19. The blog will be here when you have time for it. As for the garden, smear some vaseline on your sunglasses and admire it from afar. I'm sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family.

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  20. Dear Gail, when I read your latest blog-input....LIFE HAPPENS....I just remembered John Lennons song
    Life happens while you are busy making other plans....and I got afraid that something bad happened.
    I´m so sorry to read about your sister. She will be with you in all the memories you have captured...forever.
    The picture you´ve chosen for her here on the blog is wonderful.
    I wish my english would be better to explain what this picture says to us all.
    With my warmest regards, Petra B.

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  21. Dear Gail, I'm so very sorry about your loss. You'll be in my thoughts.

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  22. (((((Hugs to Gail, and Mr. Limestone)))))

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  23. Sorry to hear about your sister.
    At first I thought your chore list was overwhelming but it may be what you need right now.
    Best wishes.

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  24. I'm sorry to hear about your loss, and my thoughts are with you and your family.

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  25. So sorry to hear of the loss of your sister... I hope that her comments, laughter and your times together help to comfort you in these hard times to come as you deal with your loss. Remember that she will always be with you...
    All the best and some virtual hugs too... those good long kind that make you cry but feel like laughing after, then cry some more...
    ~Marsha

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  26. I'm so sorry. Cherish the memories and walk through the pain. Release it as you walk through the beauty you have created and let it soothe you in the many ways it can. My thoughts are with you.

    Barbara H.

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  27. Gail,
    So sorry about the sudden loss of your sister.
    Donna

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  28. Gail,

    A hug from far away on the loss of your sister.

    (((((( Gail ))))))))))

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  29. Prayers for you and your family.

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  30. Oh Gail, I can understand exactly how you feel having lost my sister suddenly in October. Hang on to the happy memories they make the grief easier. If you ever want any support or just to say how you really feel about you can always email me, I will understand

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  31. Dear Gail,
    The garden and all the chore-list becomes secondary when life happens. They will all be there waiting when you have taken care of yourself and your family in a time of such loss. Your sister would be honored by your sweet description of her here. It makes me smile to think of it. Take care as hugs and prayers are sent your way.
    Meems

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  32. Gail girl .. saying I am so sorry does not feel nearly good enough let alone any comfort to you.
    I am though .. and you have lost a precious light in your life. Your sister sounded like just the sort of person I would love to know .. quick, wry, razor sharp wit .. that takes a special talent, a gift, and a giver. Your sister knew she was loved very much by you I suspect ? ;-)

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  33. Gail, I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. May all your memories of fun times with her carry you along this difficult path...

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  34. My prayers are for your loss. Do take care of yourself. All else can wait. Things are always changing in life.
    I've had to put all my gardening on hold.

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  35. I'll see you all soon, xxgail

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  36. Dear Gail, I am so sorry. I think your instincts are right to try to remember your sister with smiles as well as tears (although I'm sure there will be plenty of tears). Gardening helped me stay sane when I lost my darling husband. There's something about being totally absorbed in an activity that is all about the cycle of life that I found very healing.
    Big hugs from London, Victoria xx

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  37. Dear Gail - so sorry to hear your sad news. Take your time - we'll still be here when you come back to us again.

    How I wish you were over here so I could give you lots of hugs! So sadly virtual ones will have to do for now

    ((((xxx))))

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  38. I am so very sorry for you and your family.

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  39. Oh Gail I'm so sorry to read about the loss of your dear elder sister. I'm sure you will greatly miss her but she I'm sure has left you so many precious memories to remember her by. My prayers are with you and the family circle at this sad time.

    (((hugs)))
    Rosie

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  40. Oh Gail, what a blow! Your love for your sister shines through your description of her. I'm so very sorry for your loss.
    Take care of yourself. I hope your lovely haven gives you solace at this sad time in your life.
    Gardening is such wonderful therapy!
    xoxo

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  41. Sorry to hear about your sister Gail. Take care, Sunny

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  42. Dear Gail, I am so sorry for your loss. Here I have been feeling sorry for myself while down with a nasty bug for a few days--which is why I didn't see this post earlier. But your post is a reminder of what is important in life and what isn't. Your garden and chores will always be there, even if unfinished, but family always comes first.

    Just from this brief description, your sister sounds like such a great person. I hope that memories of all those good times with her will help to comfort you in the days ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    Sending you lots of hugs,

    Rose

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  43. Gail,
    My heart goes out to you on the loss of your sister. And sustaining hugs to you as well. Don't worry about your gardening posts and gardening chores-there's time enough for that.

    Lisa

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  44. Dear Gail, I'm so sorry to learn of the loss of your sister, and am thinking of you and your family during this sad and difficult time. xoxo, Linda

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  45. It's such a hard time in our lives, when a beloved family member dies. Cherish your memories.
    Balisha

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  46. Gail, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. She sounds like a wonderful person. Take care.
    Hugs,
    Jean

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  47. Gail, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I hope you will be able to have a family gathering (or many of them) in which you share wry comments and funny stories and all laugh in her honor. -Jean

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  48. My heart is with you, dear Gail. Trust me, loosing siblings is hard. I so miss my sister that died last summer. Even 10 years after his death, my brother walks beside me. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Big hugs.

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  49. Oh, Gail....losing a beloved sister, that's a rough one. I am so very sorry for your loss and hope the sweet memories of your sister will make you smile.

    Warm hugs,
    donna

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  50. I'm sorry, Gail. Sisters are the best people in the world, part of us in a way no one else ever can be. I hope your memories will ease the pain.

    The garden will survive the summer and I hope comfort you too.

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  51. Honey, I'm so very sorry. Sigh. I'm glad you have memories of her wit and your wisdom to reflect on in the coming months. Sorry you had to deal with all the stress too. You're a really good sister.~~Dee

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  52. Very sorry to hear about your loss; I wish you happy memories that last forever.

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  53. Gail, Life indeed does happen. I apologize that I haven't been here for so long. I've been caught up, for some time, in preparing for the local garden tour (as a participant).

    Please accept my sympathy and condolences in the death of your sister and the loss of her companionship.

    Knowing you, there will be something wonderful planted in your yard and/or gardens to commemorate her life and your memories.

    Blessings.

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  54. Hi Gail, I'm so sorry about your sister's passing. My heart goes out to you and I think I need to email my sister! It's always good to be reminded that life is short and holds no guarantees. God bless you, friend.

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  55. gail, i have been away on holiday and am so sorry about the death of your sister. please know i will hold you in my prayers.

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  56. Gail - I'm so sorry for you loss. I hope your sweet and funny memories will help to comfort you in the difficult times ahead. Please know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I'm looking forward to seeing you this week in Buffalo.

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  57. Watching the life ebb from any creature, human or otherwise is very humbling & wretching. It brings you to your knees and reminds you like nothing else that the breaths we take are precious. So very sorry about your sister Gail. It's been quite a roller coaster year for you so far. I hope it evens out and that the good memories of your sister overtake the grief at her passing.
    I bet your garden will be very comforting for you too. Hugs.

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  58. Gail, I'm so sorry to read this. I wish I had caught up with your blog before Buffa10, I would have given you a big hug. Please imagine me doing so right now. I'm so glad that you can think of your sister and laugh. I don't have any words of wisdom for you, but am sending all good thoughts your way.

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  59. I've been in and out of blogging too. I tend to be addicted to posting, and have neglected my blog reading more.

    I'm sorry to hear about your sister.

    This hasn't been a good year for my vegetable gardens, but the flowers are doing OK. I'm determined to go back to work in August with my house in order. It's slow going, and very stressful, because I don't know what to keep and what to get rid of, and tend to move clutter from one spot to another.

    I hope weather conditions improve your way.

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"Insects are the little things that run the world." Dr. E O Wilson