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

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Dear Clay and Limestone,

Have I told you lately that I love you?


Have I told you there's no other  above you,

You fill my heart with gladness


You take away my sadness.


You ease my troubles, that's what you do.



When I stepped into the garden this morning, the sky was heavy with rain, but, the colors of the flowers seemed alive and more vivid then in yesterday's sunshine. The air was filled with scent of sweet phlox and grape iris.  It made me smile and my spirit was filled with gladness.


 Have you noticed, that when we are fully in the moment,  that's exactly when our gardens offer us  their best gifts~healing, calm, refuge,  peace and laughter.


My dear Clay and Limestone,
Have I told you lately that I love you?


You fill my heart with gladness. 
You take away my sadness. 
You ease my worries, that's what you do.


My dear friends, May your garden fill your heart with gladness every day.

xxoogail

Van Morrison's version with apologies for messing with the lyrics. "Have I Told You Lately" is a song written by singer-songwriter Van Morrison and recorded for his 1989 album Avalon Sunset.  It's  a romantic ballad most often heard at weddings and movie scores. It is also a  beautiful prayer.

This post was written by Gail Eichelberger for my blog Clay and Limestone Copyright 2011.This work protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Please contact me for permission to copy, reproduce, scrape, etc.
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39 comments:

  1. Randy EmmittApril 21, 2011 at 5:25 AM

    Gail,

    The first photo looks so very inviting. Seems the garden is nearly finished, yeah right.

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  2. DarlaApril 21, 2011 at 5:37 AM

    Beautiful images of your "Clay and Limestone." There are those special times in the gardens that are just perfect !

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  3. FairegardenApril 21, 2011 at 5:47 AM

    Dear Gail, Your garden is so inviting and full of love, no wonder it is the balm that heals all wounds. This time of year especially, with all the new life abounding, the fresh greens of Spring. It is full of magic.
    xxxooo
    Frances

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  4. LayaneeApril 21, 2011 at 6:29 AM

    You are so right about being 'fully in the moment'. That is not as easy as it sounds but worth attempting every moment. Beautiful garden, beautiful post.

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  5. CyndyApril 21, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Dear gail, your post made me smile and also become a little teary. The garden is a joyful healing place to be - nothing seems too terrible when you're sitting on a purple bench, enjoying the company of plants and their pollinators :)

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  6. Lisa at GreenbowApril 21, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    I can hear your garden say "I love you too Gail. You take such good care of me. I shall invite all my pollinating friends to celebrate with the rest of wildlife."

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  7. CommonweederApril 21, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    A perfect love song for the garden. Gardens originate in love and spread the love. Thanks for a beautiful post and a promise of spring.

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  8. RoseApril 21, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    So lovely, Gail! Your garden is so beautiful because of all the love that you have put into it. The garden is a place of healing and of joy--may you find both there this spring morning.

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  9. MargueriteApril 21, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    A beautiful post Gail. There's nothing like our gardens to make us feel content and happy in our world.

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  10. AlanApril 21, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Very nice! I don't think I've sung to my garden before, but it's definitely a place I want to be, and it makes me happy (most of the time). :-)

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  11. HolleyGardenApril 21, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Yes, being in the garden can be so meditative. It does fill us up with happiness and joy. Maybe that's why gardeners are generally happy and optimistic people!

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  12. Curbstone Valley FarmApril 21, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Even up to my elbows in weeds, aphids, and gophers, I agree, there's nowhere I'd rather be than in my garden...except maybe your garden ;)

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  13. Phillip OliverApril 21, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    And it is easy to see why!

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  14. Kate/High Altitude GardeningApril 21, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    Hi, Gail;
    That is an old fave of mine and I could hear the music in the background as I read your post. It looks like full-on summer there and I can certainly see why you're in love. (I am, too! :-)

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  15. SkeeterApril 21, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Purple Bench = Happy!

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  16. PatApril 21, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Oh my gosh, it's like a botanical garden...full of all kinds of plants.
    Loving the blues and purples.

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  17. KathleenApril 21, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    The perfect accompanying photos to these song lyrics Gail. I love it. The photo with Coal is especially poignant after just reading about his passing. Your garden looks so inviting right now Gail. I'd love to sit on that purple bench ~ just fabulous ~ I also like that you can see the purple chairs beyond it. Happy Spring day in the garden my friend.

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  18. Victoria SummerleyApril 21, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    Ooh, I see what you mean about your purple wood stain. Beautiful!
    I find that my garden is the only thing that is capable of making me live in the here and now. Maybe that's why I like gardening - I'd never really thought about it until you wrote that.
    Love, Victoria xxooxx

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  19. Carolyn @ Carolyn's Shade GardensApril 21, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    Your sentiments completely reflect the way I feel about my own garden. And I even have a black cat with five white chest hairs who is a mighty hunter--he catches squirrels on a regular basis. I am so sad to read about you cat. It is so hard to lose a beloved member of the family.

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  20. AnonymousApril 21, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Hi Gail!
    Your blog is absolutely the sweetest thing I've ever encountered on the internet. Every week I look forward to your new posts and photos. Gotta love Van the Man too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. LolaApril 21, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Beautiful garden, good for the soul & eyes. A wonderful job.

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  22. F CameronApril 21, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    So delightful! And, I still covet your purple bench! :-) It's just the perfect purple with your perfect plants.

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  23. MeemsApril 21, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    Dear Gail,
    I can completely see why you love your Clay and Limestone. It is looking stunning this spring. The purple bench and chairs really are perfectly appointed in your setting. I'm so grateful for the emotions my garden stirs in me. It is truly my 'centering' place.
    Happy Easter.
    Meems

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  24. KateApril 22, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    Your garden seems to have a soul of its own, but its heart comes from you :)

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  25. Corner Gardener SueApril 22, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    This was a beautiful post, Gail, words and photos together! I wonder if I could get our front yard to look somewhat like yours.

    I have my list of hopeful purchases for an annual plant sale tomorrow. There is a phlox, pilosa I hope to get several of. Is that what your perfectly pink is? I'll have to check your blog to see. Right now, though, I'm finished with my snack, and am going to go out and thin my lettuce and spinach. I am so excited!

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  26. Dig, Grow, Compost, BlogApril 22, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    Gail,
    Your garden looks stunning. I'm in awe over the colors. Each time I see your purple seating areas, I want one. Is that an allium that's blooming?
    So nice your garden provides so much comfort. I wish everyone could have a garden for such.
    xo,
    Jean

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  27. garden girlApril 22, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    One of my all-time favorite songs Gail.

    Wherever we are, it seems being fully in the moment is the best place to be. Each moment is precious, and oh so fleeting. Lovely, poignant post.

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  28. LisaApril 22, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    Oh, what an excellent post.

    Your garden looks so lovely in your photos, and I so understand and resonate with the sentiment that you express -- our gardens bring us delight, solace, and gladness!

    Lisa

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  29. GailApril 22, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Sue, You've that new space to create what ever you want in your front yard! I know you miss the big tree, but the fun you'll have. Yes, PPPP is phlox pilosa!

    gail

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  30. sweetbayApril 23, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    Gail with so much beauty surrounding you no wonder your garden fills your heart with gladness!

    PS I love the Cotinus with the purple bench.

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  31. Chandramouli SApril 24, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    A lovely song to the garden. No wonder its inhabitants show their love for you so beautifully!

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  32. AnonymousApril 24, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    Gail, A lovely tribute to a wonderful garden. Plus you inadvertently reminded me that I need to paint my bench. Yours is AWESOME. Happy Easter.

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  33. Casa MariposaApril 24, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Wonderful! Wonderful! Your garden seems like a very happy place. :o)

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  34. Janet/PlantalisciousApril 25, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    hrd to not feel full of joy faced with all that beauty Gail. And I so agree with you about being in the moment.

    ReplyDelete
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