Tuesday 2 September 2008

Rainy weather.............and thanks Dad........

I awoke this morning to the sound of heavy rain on the window pane.....I am taking the parents to the garden centre................the Mums decided it was too wet, so Dad and I went alone. I must say for me that was a treat.........I love to be on a one to one with Dad....like me he is fairly quiet and we have an understanding. We walked around and bought plants and bird seed and other bits and pieces...... went into the little cafe to share a pot of tea........I looked across the table at his lined face....he could tell a million stories.....he has travelled the world, seen poverty......faced hardship. When I was a child Dad would take me out in all weathers....icy winds, pouring rain, and brilliant sunshine...........and do you know, I can only ever remember laughter with him.......he was always happy, and I am blessed that some of it rubbed off. I am sure because of him, I am quite resilient. I garden in all weathers, and enjoy the outside, the freedom.........I am like a caged tiger when I can't get out ............Still pouring with rain our journey ended at a local farm to buy some sausages........I love this farm, all the animals run free....the little piglets forage in woodland...............personally I choose not to eat meat....but Mr P is a natural carnivore, so I source meat very carefully, I like to know the animals have had a good and happy life.......I dropped Dad home and decided when I got back I would garden in the rain.............If you look across the garden, we have a new project, a summer house, it is not finished yet.......the doors and windows will be fitted sometime this week.. of course you can use it anytime of year.............when I am out in the cold gardening and fancy a break, I shall take my tea and biscuits in here and watch the birds and other creatures........I am going to have a lot of fun with this feature......more landscaping I think.........how exciting.............
I walked the garden with my camera and took some photographs of the raindrops on flowers...............
the blooms drooped with the weight of them.............

A lone bee was buzzing amongst the flowers........I watched for a while to make sure he was ok...........perhaps like me, he likes being out all weather.......or perhaps he knows that time is short and he is enjoying the moment.............just as I was doing.....
Wherever I looked I saw beauty..........in all shapes..............
in all forms.........




I looked at the henchman full of a few hours work.........



My faithful companions were with me..........the old girl, Polly, is like me, resilient, she is out all weather........at 13 she to lives for the moment,
Well, the hardy terrier, is not so hardy, and does not like the rain.............the fact that I think it is good for her is not even considered..............she took shelter in one area or another while I worked...................
"Come on girls, time to go in."..................
And just a thank you to my dear old Dad............................





30 comments:

CIELO said...

Sweet sweet post... I can see you strolling along this beautiful garden with your dad, and my heart signs! What a joy! Blessings to you and yours sweet friend...

ps: The House in the Roses is having a party…. Come and show us your favorite window this Friday! Hope you can participate!

cielo

beckie said...

Cheryl, you make even a rainy gloomy day seem bright and cheerful. I love that you are so close to your dad. I was always a 'daddy's girl'. Now that age and dementia have him in their grip it is hard to come to terms with losing him. But Like you, I have many of his good traits-strength of goals, self confidence, and maybe a not so good trait or two also. (Stubborn, my husband would say!) Your pictures are so lovely and show such simple beauty. Thanks for sharing them with us and the enxt time it rains here, I shall look at the day differently because of you!

beckie said...

Cheryl, how could I forget to comment on your wonderful new addition to your garden!!! I know you will enjoy it, being out amoung your friends in the garden. You will have to show us more when it's finished.

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.....I know what you mean...I also have some of my Dad's bad traits.....I can be quite opinionated, but with age I have learnt to keep my mouth firmly closed.....

The summer house is really pretty and is made of wood....even the tiles on the roof are wood.....and it has a beautiful wood floor....it is Mr Practicals scheme...he loves to sit in the garden but not work in it!!! But to be fair I would not want him to help.....engineers to not make good gardeners.......

Cheryl said...

Beckie.....just to say it must be most difficult to have lost your Dad to dimentia....I have several friends who have lost parents to this sad illness.........very very difficult.....

Leanne said...

what a lovely tribute to your dad cheryl. treasure him while you can. i lost my dad nearly 5 yrs ago, and still miss him so much.

Leanne x

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

Cheryl,

I have to share with you that when the skies cloud over and it begins to drizzle, I get the itch to garden and I'm soon out there in it. I can completely relate to your feeling like a caged tiger. I feel that way too if I'm not out in the garden. Interestingly, summer is when I can't be out there because it is oppressively hot and dangerous for gardening. So I look forward to cooler and wetter days when I can go out and play--the rest of the 9 months of the year.

Hugs,
Cindy

Cheryl said...

I am sorry Leanne....I do treasure him.....I can't imagine what my life would be without him in it.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Cindy....summer for me is the most difficult time to garden....as I have got older the heat affects me, but this year has been good as the days have been cooler....I have loved it......

Dawny P said...

Ohh raindrops on roses ...... how beautiful. Well raindrops on everything actually!! I love the smell of the garden when it has rained. I can't describe it but I can almost smell it just by thinking about it!! I know it's strange but it's true!!! Your summer house looks wonderful and I bet you will have many happy hours in there. And how lovely that you had some 'dad' time. I don't need to say how precious it is cos I know you treasure it so much. A very lovely and quite special post Cheryl xxxxxxx

beckie said...

Cheryl, my comment was somewhat misleading, I guess. Dad is still Dad in many ways-just less so. He had a mild stroke a few years ago and since then his mind is not as sharp and he needs a lot of help with things he wouldn't have dreamed of asking before. They call it dementia, and I don't have a better word for it. It is hard to see them become almost different people. But I try to keep a sense of humor about life and think one day I will be like that-then people will have to wait on me hand and foot!!:) Take care dear Cheryl, and give MR. P a big thumbs up for his latest project.

Rose said...

Cheryl, How wonderful that you were able to spend the day with your dad. I, too, have always been close to my Dad and we are more alike than I care to admit. Although he's slowed down somewhat physically, I am so thankful that at 83 he is still active and able to participate in many of the things he enjoys, especially his family.

There is something about raindrops that enhances the beauty of the flowers; you've done a wonderful job of capturing their loveliness here.
And the summer house? You are going to enjoy that so much! You and Mr. P. have been so busy this summer. I have always wanted a gazebo, which is much the same thing, I think?

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Cheryl you are one lucky lady to have a Dad that you treasure so.

I can't wait to see your garden house finished. I know you will like it as much as I like our Screen House. I will think of you sitting in your garden house as I sit in my Casa de Pantalla having tea, together.

Anonymous said...

The raindrops on the flowers look so inviting!
How nice that you and your Dad have a special closeness.

marmee said...

what a real treat to spend a rainy afternoon with your dad! i rarely see my dad. i absolutely love the rain drenched photos!
i think you will be enjoying that little garden house before you know it with tea and biscuits in hand. now that sounds like a great way to garden to me.
loved seeing your gardening mates with you.

Wendy said...

I like gardening in the rain too. Somehow it feels and smells different.... yet so good.

Your pics capture the essence of water - nourishing all living things.

I am glad you had such a good time with your Dad. You must treasure such moments (as I know you do).
I was never close to my Dad, so I read posts like this with saddness (for myself, I'll be honest), but also with happiness that you willingly share your close moments with us. It makes me feel like I'm sharing some special moments with you too.
Bless you and your lovely garden.

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny.....The smell of the grass and soil is wonderful when we garden in the rain.....I sometimes wish I could bottle it, but I don't think Mr P would appreciate me smelling of the garden all of the time!!!

I certainly do treasure my Dad, my family are everything to me.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie......I understand now what you are saying.......
tks for coming back.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose....a summer house is enclosed, hence it can be use most seasons.....

a gezebo, I believe, has a roof but is open at the sides, therefore can only be used in good weather......both are attractive and a lovely addition to any garden.....

Mr P does work hard but enjoys seeing the end results....he is a perfectionist.....I without doubt, am not......

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa......what a lovely idea, tea across the miles, I look forward to sharing.......

I thought of you as our project to shape.......

Cheryl said...

Thank you Marmee

Cheryl said...

Sorry Wendy......I can understand your sadness....Dads and daughters are normally close, but I do have friends who also do not have that bond with their father.....

Raindrops on flowers are so beautiful, I think I prefer the garden with the rain and a little bit of sunshine......

ladyandthetramp said...

Hi Cheryl, your comments about sourcing meat with care are especially poignant for me right now as I was fortunate enough to collect our ex battery chickens on Saturday - do come and meet them soon, they are simply wonderful. And as for your "hardy Terrier..."lots of love

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Glorious rain!! I am so happy for you and your gardens. A deep, refreshing drink...ahhh...
It is raining this morning at my house. The temperatures dropped 30 degrees yesterday when the cold front came in. Years ago I would plant seeds in the rain, I seldom water.
Thank you for sharing your Dad! He seems to be a man who loves Nature and his Daughter very much. It is wonderful you were able to have one on one time.
Your summer house is beautiful!
Being out in the gardens year round will be excellent...away from the bothers of the house. Perhaps Mr.P will bring a pot a tea to share.
Lovely pictures and post.
Thank you.
Namaste,
Sherry

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....I so enjoyed the rain.....so refreshing.....its is chilly here to, there are not many bees around at the moment, and the only butterflies are whites.....I did see a long dragonfly though....

The summer house will be fun.....Mr P may bring a pot of tea for me.....he never touches hot drinks and only has water or fuirt juice....always has done.....

Cheryl said...

Lady and the tramp....Glad your little hens have arrived safely......will pop along sometime tomorrow to see them......

Anonymous said...

Hi Cheryl...Your garden is always beautiful to see whatever the weather!!!Wow those frogs are fabulous...our Mason would love them..I will show him next time he is over.....
Lovely that you can spend the day with your father....:)
Have a lovely Evening love to you and yours big Love to Michelle...Poppi and Ryaley~X~

Libbys Blog said...

Quite envious of your new summerhouse. How wonderful to sit out even in the rain and drink tea listening to the pitter patter of raindrops!

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
Just wanted to let you know I come back to read your responces. It is kind of you to respond to comments.
Watching Dragonflies has become my new past time.
Namaste,
Sherry

Cyndee Greene said...

Yes I am still here reading...
I love reading about your relationship w/ your dad...
How beautiful!