A digression from pottery to potting, planting and caring for the property. This post is about the man who devotes a whole lot of time to keeping up and joining in with Mother Nature by promoting beauty in and around our home.
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Keith, on an occasional lunch date
with grandsons, is the man who
makes it all happen at our home. |
A landscaper extraordinaire, Keith has had a busy summer earning gold stars for effort, results, and dedication to growing and grooming grass, trees, and plants. During this first week of September, with rake in hand, he's now focusing on fallen leaves. If you know our yard, you know what a huge labor of love that involves. The leaves are relocated to build new soil where needed, The end of the growing season is quickly approaching; there was an early start in March as a few photos below will show.
Yes, there are a couple of John Deeres involved and some attachments and implements, but the planning and execution of those plans always involves Keith. The equipment, helpful as it is, does not do the fine-tuning. That takes bending over throughout the day, picking up branches, pruning, shoveling, digging, transplanting, trimming, chopping, and whatever else the day's plan calls for. There's a good amount of research and repair time involved, too, plus trips to purchase lawn and garden supplies. Occasionally, there's a day to spend with family or for appointments, events, or errands.
The man seems happy to work hard outdoors through the day. He takes a short snooze after lunch and relaxes a bit after supper while reading in his recliner. There's always time for walking, grooming, feeding, throwing dummies for and cleaning up after "the dog." You probably know her as Birch. If you've ever been in our home when Keith calls it a day, you've heard, "I'm a pumpkin." That's his announcement that it's bedtime. His bedtime ... regardless of what else is going on with others. Think Cinderella. He's an early-to-bed, early-to-rise soul. He never complains, stays on task, celebrates the sprouting of seeds, and manages to bring in and arrange fresh flowers for indoors most every day. He cares about others in his quiet ways. What a guy! There's lots to like about this fine man with whom I have lived for 60+ years.
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| Rock garden at front of studio |
The mobile planters
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Fall offers autumn color
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| The front "nursery" area |
| Today's fresh flowers. Sept. 3, 2025 |
The summer is over. Fall is in the air. The sunflowers bloomed!
Shovels will soon replace rakes and the snowblower will be attached to a tractor.
We are grateful to still be enjoying life in Alaska... 56+ years here so far.
It does take longer to get things done, but they do get done, eventually.
One day at a time.
