Music for a rainy day -

It's Easter and, as always, I get that feeling of childhood days preparing and

celebrating another special Christian holiday. It was different back then but

my memories are still very clear.

This morning I'm listening to English music I love so much,

Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia On A Theme By ThomasTallis" 

and "Fantasia On Greensleeves" with Sir John Barbirolli. 

 In my mind I clearly see pictures of the Spring landscape I grew up in, 

the coast of Devon, Dartmoor tors, rolling dairy farms, banks of yellow

 primroses, thatched cottages and storybook villages.

 This music makes me quite homesick but also brings me joy. . . . . . and

 always hope that I will get home 'one more time.'

Of course several more times would be even better!

It's turned quite cold again here and those early sunny really warm

 Spring days have disappeared. We are remaining close to home as rain

 is falling all day. Tomorrow we hope to celebrate Easter Sunday in

 sunshine. . . .and I will enjoy choosing which Easter bonnet to wear!

HAPPY EASTER DEAR READERS

Good Friday in the Rain -

 

A wet and chilly Good Friday here...........but everything looks washed clean

 in time for Easter Sunday celebrations.

The Mystery of Faith fresco by Ben Long 

St. Mary's Episcopal Church, West Jefferson, North Carolina

Thinking of you and wishing you a blessed Good Friday - 

praying that the Lord keeps you, your family and 

loved ones in his loving care always.

Arrival of April -

My favorite azaleas, George L. Taber, are now blooming - and I have several. 

Most have been in the garden many years and are huge. I prune lightly as

 soon as the blooms die back as this plant sets new buds for the following

 year around August. This beautiful shrub grows to a height and width

 of 8 feet, so gets quite large!  

The George Taber Azalea has a rounded, upright shrubby growth habit. 

Grow this azalea in USDA plant hardiness zones 7-10. Has slight cold

 hardiness but grows best in the southern United States. It is sun and

 heat tolerant.

Did you know that azaleas can live a long life if planted in the right place

 and given some easy TLC?  Azaleas are not high-maintenance plants. 

Attention to pruning, watering and a winter blanket of mulch are all that's 

required. Follow these easy maintenance tips to keep your azaleas healthy, 

and find a location with the right amount of sunlight. I add some fertilizer in

 early spring and the plants stay green year round which is a huge plus in

 the garden. I have other azaleas, different colors, all beautiful, but this is

 definitely my favorite.

Azaleas are not the best indoor flowers as they drop their blooms

 quickly, however I cut a couple of stems to add to these LIDL tulips

 and mini carnations purchased on Friday for the weekend.

After a long overnight drink - the flowers, not me - I arranged them

 adding some greenery from the garden. A couple more days and the

 tulips will grow and flop a bit. I love when they do that!

Yesterday we experienced ongoing high wind gusts which were somewhat

nerve wracking. . . . . . . .especially after seeing the awful damage caused

 by the tornadoes across the US south and Midwest.

Our prayers go out to all the people who have lost dear ones and/or 

their homes and businesses. 

I did a little garden work Saturday morning but was not happy beneath large

 twigs falling from the surrounding oaks, and clouds of pollen. We had a little

 rain which helped settle the pollen somewhat, but the gusts continued for

 hours. Then the glorious sun came out late afternoon and things felt better.

This Sunday morning is cool, breezy but brilliant sunshine lights the garden

and I need to venture forth once it warms up. So much requires attention

 and one can only stare out the window at waiting bags of mulch for so long!

Are you a gardener? If so, what are your least enjoyed garden chores?