Music in the Garden
We went on a local garden tour the other day, equipped with a map which directed us to 9 different homes showcasing their gardens. Most were interesting if not beautiful, and we went, hoping to find some ideas for our own gardens. Here's what we found ...
Cicadas accompanied us as we made our way to through the first garden. It was located at a home which was built in the 1800's, complete with an old building that had been used for woodworking, making such things as pump handles and coffins. Just beyond that was the old carriage house. The gardens, full of hostas and day lilies wrapped around the three buildings. Perfectly shaped ancient trees draped their branches over the yard, creating a shady refuge from the heat of the day. The present owners had built a curving deck with a pergola roof which sheltered an outdoor living room, leading to a dining area, and an enclosed hot tub. Ah, it was an inviting place. Perfect to relax with a good book!
Down the road a bit, another family had built a new home several years ago. On the property there used to be an old barn; torn down now, the stone foundation walls still standing. Within these broken down walls, was a grassy courtyard with gardens around the edges. Sumac trees extended their arms over the walls, their burgundy clusters hanging above our heads as we walked along. My mind raced with the gardening possibilities that this scene stirred up. How would I do it differently? What would I plant here? Against one wall was a CD player, with light, airy music pouring out of the speakers as the garden-tourists wandered through. Not my choice of music, but the effect was soothing.
A third garden we meandered through had a large pond with 4 different coloured water lilies floating on the surface. An Easter Island head sculpture stood guard at one end of the pond. A strange sound filled the air and it was a few minutes until we saw the cause. Large frogs challenged each other, their croaks echoing back and forth as they pursued their own corner of the pond. The 2 males we watched seemed to have a croaking duel going on, eyeballing each other, each creeping toward the other until one felt threatened enough and hopped away.
The cicadas sound their sirens, the crickets squeak their songs, the frogs honk their horns, and the cardinals call out to each other. The summer garden is full of life, full of music. And to tour through a variety of gardens allows you to hear the various parts that make up the outdoor symphony.
I love to listen to God's creation. How can anyone deny His masterpiece? It's one thing to see it, but when you sit and listen ...
Cicadas accompanied us as we made our way to through the first garden. It was located at a home which was built in the 1800's, complete with an old building that had been used for woodworking, making such things as pump handles and coffins. Just beyond that was the old carriage house. The gardens, full of hostas and day lilies wrapped around the three buildings. Perfectly shaped ancient trees draped their branches over the yard, creating a shady refuge from the heat of the day. The present owners had built a curving deck with a pergola roof which sheltered an outdoor living room, leading to a dining area, and an enclosed hot tub. Ah, it was an inviting place. Perfect to relax with a good book!
Down the road a bit, another family had built a new home several years ago. On the property there used to be an old barn; torn down now, the stone foundation walls still standing. Within these broken down walls, was a grassy courtyard with gardens around the edges. Sumac trees extended their arms over the walls, their burgundy clusters hanging above our heads as we walked along. My mind raced with the gardening possibilities that this scene stirred up. How would I do it differently? What would I plant here? Against one wall was a CD player, with light, airy music pouring out of the speakers as the garden-tourists wandered through. Not my choice of music, but the effect was soothing.
A third garden we meandered through had a large pond with 4 different coloured water lilies floating on the surface. An Easter Island head sculpture stood guard at one end of the pond. A strange sound filled the air and it was a few minutes until we saw the cause. Large frogs challenged each other, their croaks echoing back and forth as they pursued their own corner of the pond. The 2 males we watched seemed to have a croaking duel going on, eyeballing each other, each creeping toward the other until one felt threatened enough and hopped away.
The cicadas sound their sirens, the crickets squeak their songs, the frogs honk their horns, and the cardinals call out to each other. The summer garden is full of life, full of music. And to tour through a variety of gardens allows you to hear the various parts that make up the outdoor symphony.
I love to listen to God's creation. How can anyone deny His masterpiece? It's one thing to see it, but when you sit and listen ...
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