Back to Normal

Life has finally slowed down to a less stressful state for me.  After a week of catching up on some rest and completing some postponed chores, I am back into a semi-normal routine at last.  Time for chauffering Younger Granddaughter back and forth to sports camps, time for a long-overdue sleepover for Middle Grandson, and time, of course, for gardening.

Thanks to all who offered words of encouragement on my last two posts when I was feeling under pressure, to say the least.  Daughter's wedding reception/party went very well, despite the threat of storms late in the evening and the heat--who knew when she set the date for this party back in January that June 4 would be the hottest day of the year?!!  By the time the first guests arrived, my make-up was streaming down my face and my carefully fluffed hair was plastered to my head.  But no matter; a good time was had by all, and that was all that was important.  Unfortunately, I was too busy the first few hours attending to some last-minute details and greeting guests to take any photos of the setting.  Thanks to my Dad for this photo early in the evening of  the tent with Daughter's tropical theme.

All my worry about the garden was probably for naught, as the heat and a chance to visit with the bride and groom kept most people from venturing too far from the tent.  But I'm sure if I hadn't bothered to weed and edge the flowerbeds, that would have been when everyone wanted to see the garden!  Even Daughter, who was super-busy the whole short weekend she was here, noticed one plant--the clematis, which was still in full bloom last weekend.  She noticed this immediately as we drove up the lane at 1 AM, its blooms shining in the moonlight.

I'm glad she got to see it while it was still in its full glory, because after a few rainshowers and some wind, all the blooms now look like this. 

After a week of neglecting the garden while I attended to other details, the weeds had grown by leaps and bounds and I also had missed a few things. I barely noticed this Allium roseum while it was in bloom, and now it has already turned to seed.

My garden seems to be on a different time schedule this year.  I had hoped this Asiatic lily would be in bloom last weekend, since Daughter loves lilies.  Last year it was blooming the first week in June, but so far all I see are fat buds (and the camera-shy Marmalade who has taken to following me throughout the garden this year).

The Stellas are late, too.  Normally, I have masses of blooms by this time, but they are just now beginning to open up.

On the other hand, the daylily 'Moonlight Masquerade' is way ahead of schedule and surprised me when I found it in bloom this week. Maybe the weather has had something to do with the different timing of blooms this year.  Like much of the country, we have had oppressive heat for the past week and a half.  Temperatures in the 90's with the typical Illinois humidity have made working in the garden unbearable for most of the day.  I'm not a morning person, but I've forced myself to get out of bed as early as possible this week to head out to the garden before the sun drives me back inside to the cool air-conditioning.  I've hoed weeds and spread mulch, often still in my PJ's and minus contacts, still clutching the first cup of coffee.

June is my favorite month of the year, but it isn't supposed to be this hot! Today (Sunday) is the first pleasant day in a long time; I'm hoping the cooler temperatures will stay with us for awhile. The heat, though, may have jumpstarted this first coneflower, which normally doesn't bloom until weeks later.  Late lilies and early coneflowers . . . I'm beginning to wonder what July will bring.

Good old faithful yarrow, though, is right on schedule; I guess the garden timetable isn't completely topsy-turvy this year.  After the last few busy months, it's good to get back to normal . . . whatever normal is:)