English Emma Blooms

I woke up with allergies in the night and again this morning. I should probably take a Benadryl, even though it makes me feel like a zombie—but I need my energy for the garden this weekend. The grass in the front and back yards is begging to be mowed, and there are plants that need attention. Maybe I’ll even find time to work on my paintings.

The squirrels are loud this morning, chattering and rustling through the trees. I hope they don’t leave a surprise on me again! The birds are noisy too, their songs mixing with the rustle of leaves and the soft hum of the wind. I love how slowing down makes me notice these details. I used to walk in Broad Ripple, moving quickly past everything, but for the last couple of years I’ve stayed in the park with Chewy. I see the trees’ bark textures, the way the light hits each branch, and even notice familiar faces. The park feels alive and intimate now, not just a path I pass through.

Gardening feels different this year, too. The recent limb trimming has opened the backyard, letting sunlight spill into areas that were once shaded. The patch by the gate now basks in morning sun, and I think I might finally grow something there. The creeping Charlie is still making its rounds, but I feel like I’m gaining the upper hand. I remember battling clover years ago—now it’s gone. Gardens come in waves; patience is key.

I picked up some baby onions at Walmart and plan to plant more whenever I move other plants around. I’m imagining a spring bulb bed: Dutch iris with deep violet petals, day lilies opening in soft gold, gladiolus in striking pinks and reds. Perhaps I’ll order some for myself and some for Dr. Cho. Later in the season, daffodils will trumpet cheerful yellow among the green, alliums will rise like little fireworks, and iris will add elegant purples and blues.

I can almost see the ultimate bulb garden: daffodils, alliums, Dutch iris, iris, gladiolus, and day lilies all blooming together in waves of color and texture. It’s ambitious, but I think I can make it happen. Gardening isn’t just work—it’s a way to watch life unfold slowly. Each sprout, bloom, and fallen leaf reminds me to notice, to nurture, and to find beauty in patience.

Peanut and I are out in our favorite morning spot, soaking in the sun and surveying the yard. The storms that came through while we were gone seem to have done their job—everything looks freshly watered and wildly alive. The flowers are blooming in layers of color, and the foliage is thick and lush. Of course, the weeds are just as happy as the flowers. The creeping Charlie is back in full force, snaking its way through every gap it can find. I’ll be pulling it for the rest of the summer, no doubt. It was a bit shocking how fast everything had grown in just a few days. 

 I need to mow the backyard and tidy up the beds—trim a few overgrown edges, deadhead the lilies, and maybe re-hang some of the garden decorations that came down during the storms. I have wind chimes, clay mushrooms, and disco balls  I like to scatter throughout the yard. They catch the light and add a sense of joy and magic.

The garden is in full summer mode now—vibrant, messy, alive. There’s plenty to tend to, but also so much to enjoy.