English Emma Blooms

 July 11 – Garden Journal Entry

Yesterday was a productive day in the garden. I’ve been getting everything ready for the garden party, and I finally tackled the pile of logs that had been lying around for too long. I pulled out the chainsaw (carefully!) and got to work cutting them down. Some were surprisingly thick, but I managed to get through it without hurting myself—though I can absolutely see how accidents happen. Next time, I’ll be more cautious.

The real joy came afterward: I used the logs and sticks to create a new flower bed. I piled them up, topped them with mulch, and planted some daylilies. It looks beautiful and wild and intentional—just the kind of texture I like in a garden. There’s something so satisfying about making something new with what you already have lying around.

The weather’s been cooperating lately. Warm, sunny, and just enough breeze to keep things comfortable. It’s the kind of weather that makes even Peanut stretch out in the backyard like he’s sunbathing on a California beach. He patrols the perimeter while I weed or plan the next project. It’s peaceful. These moments in the garden, just me and Peanut and the plants, feel like the real rhythm of my life.

There’s still plenty to do—pruning, a bit more mulching, and maybe some container rearranging before guests arrive—but it’s coming together. Slowly, stick by stick, bed by bed, bloom by bloom.

I’m really looking forward to having the trip behind me so I can sink back into this backyard routine again. After Michigan, it’ll be time to sit in the shade,

 Peanut supervised while I transplanted flowers. Time goes so quickly when I am gardening. I am pleased with how everything looks. The next plan is to make some holes in the fence so the flowers get more light. Another idea is to have my tree trimmed that is in that corner. The fence is not to keep people out; it's just to keep dogs in. If I have a small dog, I don't need such a tall fence. I don't know what the answer is—maybe it is to drop the idea of being able to plant flowers there.

My chainsaw came in the mail yesterday. I am excited to learn how to use it. 

 Speaking of gardening, I moved some more plants into the new gardens I am making, but I have more work to do. Yesterday, I spent a lot of time pruning. I also moved some pink day lilies to the front pathway area where they can get more sunlight. I put mulch around the tall evergreen in the front where I have removed the plants. I have to do that also around the west side of the tree. It is quite a production, but it will be nice in the end. Then I have to do the same thing with the Korean fir. I am removing all the plants inside the drip line. I either need a chainsaw or a man with a chainsaw. I decided to get just the chainsaw. The chainsaw arrives today, and I can use it to chop up the logs in the backyard and organize them neatly for firewood. Then I can plant flowers where the logs were cluttering up the flower bed. Pretty happy about this idea.

I am super glad it is raining because several of my plants really needed it.