Thursday 29 January 2009

Solitude......

Another sunny day gave me the chance to work in the garden again. I love my own company and am by nature quite solitary.........
Being alone in the garden gives me time to be at one with nature. To see the changes each day, never knowing who might visit........

The robin is never far away.....he has become a firm friend.......his sweet serenade never fails to move me. Just look how colourful he is......isn't he a handsome little chap........


I am preparing the soil for my golden hops. Mr P is in the process of making two obelisks for them to climb. They will be large structures.......sited either side of the pathway, that takes you to the spring garden.



This is an area that the blue tits enjoy. It is very secluded.

I know I will always find them there.
Weeding is on the agenda for tomorrow.......although it is chilly, another sunny day is forecast........long may it last.........







33 comments:

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

We are very much alike in that I am very solitary by nature too. There is nothing that restores me so much as a bit of peace and quiet in my garden.

Lovely post Cheryl with great pics!

Cheryl said...

Hi Yolanda......me to......nothing restores me quite so much as gardening alone........

Marimoy said...

Solitude is something so many people take for granted. Today, for example, I could have gone carousing with friends, but I went a secluded spot with my Floyd and just enjoyed the nature. Thank you for always sharing your quiet walks with us!

Cheryl said...

Hi Mimi....glad you dropped by....I am having trouble accessing you blog at the moment. Have you a problem?

Glad you and Floyd spent time together.....I can think of nothing nicer......

Miranda Bell said...

Seems like us gardeners really benefit from the total peace and tranquility we get from the garden and all that is around you out there - wonderful food for the soul! I was out there this afternoon too - pretty cold here as you say - loads of birds in the garden at the moment - hubby stocking up on bird food items whilst he's in the UK at the moment - it's much cheaper in the UK than here with the exchange rate the way it is! Some lovely pics Cheryl... by the way I took a photo of Mrs Thrush on our bird table again - she's there everyday as you'd mentioned that yours' never eat from the table... will post it in the next day or two! Take care Miranda

Cheryl said...

Hi Miranda....Yes I am amazed that the thrush feeds from the bird table....I shall look forward to seeing that....

Glad that you are having bright sunny weather to......

Rose said...

Cheryl, I so enjoy seeing all the birds in your garden; the blue tits are so pretty. We've had a lot of activity at the bird feeders lately; even my daughter, the "nature cynic" was excited today when she spied a bluejay and a cardinal pair. I wish I could get a good photo of them!
I enjoy spending time with others, but I also need my "alone" time. The garden is the perfect place to comtemplate and find peace.

I hope you have many more sunny days to accomplish all that you want to in the garden!

Zvrk said...

I have noticed snowdrops in my garden as well, spring is coming!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I envy your ability to get out in the sunshine and get something accomplished in the garden. I have shoveled snow for three days now. Sick of that little job. I have sore muscles where I forgot I had muscles. Ha...

Those little tits are so pretty. Our American Robins are scrambling for every berry they can find with all this snow cover they are having a difficult way to go right now. As are all the birds really.

I read your comment on Rose's blog about eating beans on toast. What kind of beans and how do you fix them?? It sounds intrigueing.

My DB likes to put beans on mashed potatoes. This is about the same thing in my mind.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos. I'm enjoying your blog very much.

beckie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
beckie said...

What a busy girl you are Cheryl. But I know how much you enjoy being and doing in your garden. The robin and the blue tits are beautiful. How I long for a sign of spring with all this snow and cold...sigh. :}

Enjoy your time alone with your garden and nature. Have a great weekend!

ChrisND said...

I really like the "gazing ball" picture -- just a glimpse into what is there but transformed by the color and shape.

Your comments remind me of a recent personality questionnaire that told me: You tend to form only a few deep relationships and need quiet time alone to recharge. Maybe that's why I do enjoy some parts of our winters - nothing so solitary as a crisp morning after a new snow.

Dawny P said...

It's nice to have your own company at times. The Dalai Lama say we should each of us spend time alone every day. When I was younger, I hated being by myself, but as I got older, I have come to really enjoy a bit of solitude and peace and quiet - it gives me time to reflect. And the garden is the perfect place to do that. They are only now starting the repairs to our front after the horrible things at Christmas Cheryl. I cannot wait to be able to look out onto something green again. I just read that we are heading for another Arctic spell - brrrr!!! I always feel so sorry fot the poor creatures out in the cold when it gets like that, and also the poor homeless souls too. Hope you are well, and also Mr P xxxx

Cheryl said...

Hi Rose....who could possibly resist the cardinals and blue jays....I have seen them on many blogs, they are striking birds....the colours are so beautiful.....
Our sunny days are coming to an end....we have another artic blast coming on Sunday....brrrr.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa....Shoveling snow must be soul destroying.....as soon as it is clear, it snows again. Motivation is difficult under those circumstances......we have an artic blast expected on Sunday, snow is in the forecast....

Now Baked beans on toast....simplicity itself....

Toast bread so that it is fairly crispy (otherwise with the beans it will go soggy....yuk)...
spread lightly with butter,
heat beans and put on top of toast......
we sometimes grate cheese and sprinkle that on top.....Enjoy

Mr. P also likes mashed pots with beans.....must be a man thing.....

This has in fact brought back a lovely memory. We had flown into Miami airport on a flydrive holiday. We were both really hungry so we stopped at a transport cafe....all the lorry drivers were having breakfast.
We asked for eggs on toast....the waitress looked puzzled. When our breakfast arrived we had eggs on one plate...and toast on another.....Mr P and I lifted our eggs and put them on top of the toast...much to the amusement of the lorry drivers......still it got us all talking to each other, which was nice. One thing about the British we can laugh at ourselves......

NCmountainwoman said...

I need solitude as well. And your garden seems to be the perfect spot. I can imagine you working there in the quiet, glancing every now and then at your bird friends.

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie....I would appear that our spring like weather is leaving.....we have snow expected on Sunday.....

The garden is coming on a treat....still lots do be done but I am enjoying the challenge....

Have a great weekend......

Cheryl said...

Hi Chris...good to hear from you after such a long time.

Yes, I agree, winter can be a peaceful time......and as you rightly say time for solitude and perhaps hibernation!!!!
I love my gazing ball....it has brought a lot of fun to the garden......

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny.....I do hope that you soon get the front garden sorted out. It will look great when its finished......these things always take such a long time to sort out....
The artic blast is due to arrive on Sunday......I am not looking forward to it I must say. I feel sorry for the wildlife and homeless.....we are so lucky to have a roof over our head......

Have a fab weekend with the gorgeous Richard.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Dawny.....I do hope that you soon get the front garden sorted out. It will look great when its finished......these things always take such a long time to sort out....
The artic blast is due to arrive on Sunday......I am not looking forward to it I must say. I feel sorry for the wildlife and homeless.....we are so lucky to have a roof over our head......

Have a fab weekend with the gorgeous Richard.....

Wendy said...

The garden is the best place to be in solitude - to my way of thinking. You paint a lovely picture with this post. I am glad you and Mr. P are busy preparing the garden for spring. The little birds look happy to be with you.
Have a good weekend!

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy....preparing for spring may have been premature snow is on the way.....the warm spell was short lived!!

Have a great weekend......

A wildlife gardener said...

We have so much in common, Cheryl. I, too, am solitary by nature, and love nothing better than to be in the garden by myself with the bees and birdsong for company and any visiting wildlife :)

I loved the post about Poppi...so sweet...it makes you want to freeze time so you can savour these wondrous childhood moments for a little while longer...

Your temps are much warmer...scrolling backwards I saw so much wearing their Spring coats in your beautiful garden than we have at the moment :)

Love the photos of the birds...you are a dab hand with that camera of yours..happy gardening :)

naturewitch said...

AH yes, to be in the garden alone except for all the wonderful little creatures that inhabit it. Solitude is great for us all. Hoping to get some tomorrow myself. xx

Tricia Ryder said...

There's something very therapeutic about gardening and therapy is what I enjoyed today. I'm aching all over but like you Cheryl, I had a robin to keep me company. :D

marmee said...

good day dear cheryl,
your post has inspired me today.
i am having some alone time, which is rare for me.
there is always time for reflection in solitude...which is very good for the soul.
thank you for this post.

i would like for you to email me...i have a question for you...when you have some time.
rosebudn6@aol.com

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

But but but... you are never alone in the garden. I always feel at one with all of nature. (And blue tits are very sweet; we don't have them here.)

Cheryl said...

Hi wildlife gardener.....the grandchildren bring much pleasure and love.....we have to make the most of this very precious time. In a blink of an eye they will be young adults.....

The birds still tease me....but I have learnt to sit in one spot and not move....a trifle boring for someone who loves to do but it seems to get the results I want.

I hope that you are keeping well and happy......

Cheryl said...

Hi Marmee....I can imagine with your lovely family alone times are rare......I remember those days so well, full of fun......

Time alone is time for contemplation and reflection....I find it very healing and something that I really need......

I have emailed you.......

Cheryl said...

Hi Monica.......you are so right, you always have something in the garden with you....bird bee or butterfly......

Blue tits are lovely little birds.....I have around twenty in the garden at the moment.....

Mary said...

Cheryl, I've never considered myself to be a loner, as I thrive on the energy from others. However, I do completely enjoy my solitude. Alone in the garden, alone in the woods with my camera. Those are the "healing" times, so to speak.

So you will be weeding tomorrow? I supposed I should "clean up" some winter mess...

Good reflections here.

Mary

Cheryl said...

Hi Mary.....always good to hear from you. We all need people.....to have fun, to share, to learn.....and most importantly to love.....

I find I must have time alone to get problems and muddled areas of my life into perspective. Without this time I would not cope with the ups and downs so well.....

As we age I think we all find what is important for us and what we need to deal with life itself.

Hope you are well and happy Mary....