English Emma Blooms

 Good Morning!

Today Peanut and I head back to Indianapolis—to restore order in the garden. Word from the pool is that thunderstorms rolled through while I was away. Perfect! That means my flowers have been thoroughly watered by the sky itself—nature doing her part while I took a break.

I got an email about a gardening job. I’d absolutely work for her if she paid me in hostas! Honestly, that’s not a joke. I’m always looking to diversify my collection. And I love the idea of being someone’s “garden whisperer”—but only if it feels good in my soil.

Earlier in the day, we drove to Okemos.I picked up a small rock from a parking lot. I think I’m starting a new ritual: collecting rocks from places that matter, then placing them in my garden at home. Each one can root a memory. Eric and I and the dogs walked through the field where I used to wander in high school. That land is sacred to me. I remember playing with Daisy there—how she’d leap like a gazelle above the tall grass to find me when I’d hide. I met Jen there too, and we’d walk and talk, surrounded by wild prairie.

Now, that field is a designated nature reserve. The same trails. Bigger trees. More blooms. 

Here is some bee balm! This North American native grows in bunches and shoots up these wild-looking, spiky flowers that look kind of like tiny fireworks.  Planting beebalm is super easy - just give it some sun (or partial shade works too) and soil that doesn't get too soggy. Here's a cool fact: Native Americans used this plant for medicine, and you can actually make tea from the leaves - they smell amazing, like a mix of mint and citrus. Snip off the dead flowers to keep new ones popping up all summer.

“I plant joy in familiar soil. I walk the trails of memory with reverence. I let roots, rocks, and rest remind me that I am always growing—softly, steadily, in season.”

As I step into my garden, I'm immediately embraced by the peaceful atmosphere of my own private retreat. From where I sit in one of the three black metal chairs on my brick patio, I can take in the full splendor of the space I've lovingly created. The gentle rustling of leaves from the mature trees above provides a natural canopy, casting dancing shadows across my favorite reading spot. To my delight, birds call to each other from the branches – chickadees whistle their cheerful songs, cardinals announce their presence with bright chirps, and occasionally a melodious robin adds its voice to nature's chorus. I've positioned my potted plants strategically around the seating area, their vibrant blooms and lush foliage bringing life and color to every corner of my outdoor sanctuary.

Following the stepping stone path I laid myself, I often wander through my garden, enjoying how the stones guide me past an array of carefully tended plants and flowers that I've collected over the years. The hanging plants I've nurtured sway gently in the breeze, and I smile every time I see the garden hose lying ready for my daily watering routine. The morning songbirds provide a delightful soundtrack, their sweet melodies adding another layer of enchantment to this space. This garden is more than just an outdoor area to me; it's a living, breathing extension of my home where I can find peace, inspiration, and joy in the natural world I've helped create.