Somewhere Under The Rainbow

Not to drone on and on about this, but I'm a pretty good listener, so I went to the doctor.

I'm not about to stroke out, my heart is strong, my ears are not the problem, he was through but somewhat mystified.  It appears to be my back muscles, so tight that when I am extra active ( and when am I not) they tighten even further and the blood doesn't flow properly.  So I'll be off to the chiropractor before work this morning.  I am looking forward to a rush of oxygen to my head. 

And I'll continue to anoint myself with the lovely scented bio freeze before bed, take a muscle relaxer at night for a couple of weeks and  do some yoga.  Right Janet and Karin?

My favorite moment at the doctors office was while I was in the waiting room with  4 men.  The sun was shining, it was raining and suddenly one of them shouted " Look at the rainbow".

We all looked back at this incredible double rainbow and one man said "I'm going to take a picture", and I said "me too". And we all rushed out oohing and aahing over it's beauty and snapping pictures like crazy.  Then the receptionist and a couple of staffers came out to see what the excitement was all about.  It was so happy making to be with a group of complete strangers all excited about a random moment of beauty in the city.

 May you all enjoy some unexpected moment of beauty and connection with a stranger today.

Not Just A Dizzy Blonde

Thank you all for your care and caring suggestions.  Today is better that yesterday which was a 1,000,000 times better than Sunday.

My doctor was out of the office on Monday but my hairdresser was available. So I'm back in action at work, trimmed and freshly blonde but undiagnosed. Thursday, hopefully Thursday. That will be my first chance to get out of the shop.

Because, kids, it's Mother's day week and we're all hands on deck.  Even the unsteady hands.  

We designers are "hidden" behind two 7ft. cabinets; we are not soundproofed as GG is constantly reminding me when we get a little bawdy.  We can also be found by anyone who sticks their head around the corner. And many do. 

Today I was "discovered " by a father and his daughter, she was about 5.  They asked me to help them select some flowers they'd pick up on Saturday.  I quickly remembered what this holiday was all about.  RIBBON.  Preferably in PURPLE, maybe sparkly, and flowers in purples maybe a little white, but lots of purples.  All this was shouted excitedly at me.  She must have thought I was suffering from hearing loss, not dizziness. I did write down everything she wants though and received permission to fill in with more PURPLE flowers on the day.  I must admit she had pretty good taste.

Tonight is early bed time.  We're off to a greenhouse tomorrow at o' dark thirty to load up on plants.  Then back to the shop for another  day in paradise. 

I leave you all with an eyeful of our favorite iris, Sugar Blue.  It ain't PURPLE but it sure smells good.

I wish I had a scent o meter on this blog....

Mayday , Mayday, Mayday

What happened to me yesterday?  I woke up at 7:00 and was dizzy as could be.  Dizzy and nauseous.  Lying down or getting up from a prone position was like being on a ride at an amusement park.  I missed the first day of May, one of my favorite dates.  I like to pick little bouquets from the garden and give them to friends and neighbors.  Not this year though.  This year I liked to lay as still as possible.  While on the couch I had the Lab to take care of me.  When I would reel into the bedroom for a change of scenery I had the cat on the bed, curled up and waiting.  Waiting for what you might wonder having seen pictures of her scary self, but she turned out to be a pretty good little nurse.

Today I can stand up and sit down without fearing I'm falllllliiiiinnnnggg.  And I did venture out into the garden to see what gifts the garden left me for May Day.

White iris from my friend Betty's garden, Red Charm peonies just flirting with us, and the finely cut but largely scented Miss Kim lilac.  I"m starting to feel better already.

 

Spanish lavender, soon to be covered with bees, and a lab snapping after the bees.

A little pink rose called Mary, given us by GG's mother in 2005.  All the plants Giti gave to us always bloom in memory of her.  We haven't lost a one.

And our micro rose Baby Love, full of tiny blossoms and loaded with buds. A gift from our garden mentors, Geoff and Chuck.

Clearly the garden had a better May Day then I did.  As soon as I dare to bend down I'm going to go and cut myself a beautiful bouquet to bring the outside in.

And now I'm off to see how you all fared.  Judging by all the new posts on my blog list I have some good reading ahead of me.  Though today I'll be moving very sloooowly.

xo Jane

I Just Called To Say I Love You

Good Morning.  I've been totally MIA.  What with work, THE wedding to watch, dog walking, cooking dinner and snatching some time with GG, I haven't had a moment.

So a little bowl of flowers to say I'm sorry I haven't been by to visit.  As you can see the mock orange is in bloom and that in itself is another distraction.

And before you ask, no, I didn't think the bouquet was too small.  I thought it was pure enchantment with its emphasis on lily of the valley.

My garden is carrying on and as I run in and out the door, I see irises and  Miss Kim lilac, lavender about to burst, roses, wygelia and lots and lots of weeds.  And then some more weeds.

Sunday we have our yearly visitors from Switzerland.  But in between eating and talking I hope there's some lawn mowing and gardening and picture taking.  

So tell me, did you love it all?  The church flowers, the dress, the suddenly famous frowning flower girl ?

 

My Secretive Garden

Here in the states a strange holiday called Professional Administrators Day came hard on the heels of Easter.  It's actually been changed from day to week since the bosses have to remember to make the calls to request flowers for the people who take care of their business all year long. This can cause problems.  Sometimes they have their wives call.  If I catch the phone I suggest to the wives they might want to get a little something for themselves too, since they're doing the actual ordering......

Anyhoo, after 2 days of this I came crawling home and wanted to hide in the house until I was presentable and able to face conversation.  But as I sank down on my doorstep to check out the mail, I realized I was totally hidden from view and surrounded by glorious scents. Directly in from of me was a broom in full bloom, far too big for its space, but a fantastic shield.
 

 Over to my immediate left is a delightfully invasive patch of the pink lily of the valley, wafting sweetness my way.

And to top it off, to the right is a gardenia topiary I plopped in a pot on Sunday. Blooming away and smelling like the 3rd circle of heaven.

I ducked inside, got my book and the Lab, and we hung out until we were all chill and ready to face the world again.

Is this what they mean by aroma therapy?  Because I'm smiling again.

Got Flowers?

I barely do.  I don't know why I was all worried that posting the day after Easter might be too much for y'all.  Apparently I forgot I was a florist and when I finally walked out of the shop on Saturday, flowers for my own house would be far from my mind.

But I do have a garden and it has a few things blooming that make me swoon.  Pink lily of the valley?  Oh, yeah.

Sweet dreams are made of these.

Red honeysuckle, lilac and a few sweet peas.

The peonies are from work and were tightly closed on Saturday night.  After an Easter Sunday with highs in the 80s, I was giving them oxygen to keep them alive for a picture.  But the bedside care is so worth it.  Walking into a room and getting a whiff of these is head turning, mind blowing, stop you in your tracks delicious.

And lambs ear. No scent, just softness. Sigh.

Have I forgotten anything?

You were wondering if the Easter Bunny came through?  You know he did.

That's what I've got.  You?

xo Jane

Sweet Nothings

Whether you live across the pond or across the street.  Whether you go to the park or you go to church.  Whether you barbeque or roast your lamb.  I wish you all a Happy Easter.  Or, if you don't celebrate this holiday, a beautiful Sunday filled with delicious food, close friends, and  something rich and mildly fattening for dessert.

And I hope to be invited into your houses on Monday.  Don't forget to save me a little something sweet.

xo Jane