A Garden of Love grows in a Grandmother’s Heart ~ Author unknown
I’m feeling circumspect today. My beloved Nana is in hospital after falling and breaking her hip. She’s 97, nearly 98, and it’s been hard to be brought up close to the truth of her age, her mortality, and that her time with us is drawing ever closer to an ending. I forget sometimes, that she won’t be with us forever.
I’m grateful to be at my farm right now. For me it’s a special place that never ceases to nurture me, to replenish me, and to remind me of the natural rhythm and wisdom of the cycles of life.
Being at the farm reconnects me. There is an abundance here that gives richness and texture to my life. I love the peacefulness, and the privacy. I can walk amidst nature, and watch birds and animals to my heart’s content. I can pick a flower or two to adorn my house, and I can always rely on finding fruit, vegetables or herbs to pluck and enjoy. I have friends at every boundary, and I never need be alone, except by choice.
My Nana has very much shaped the farmer, and the person, I’ve become. When I was a little girl she was the first person to teach me about seed saving. And she showed me that vegetables and flowers could grow right along side each other. She taught me that a garden didn’t need to be grand, and that a very humble space could feed you.
After years of being embarrassed that Nana went everywhere with plastic bags in her handbag in case she found a plant worthy of taking a small cutting from, I now find myself doing the same. The geraniums in my garden grew from pieces snapped off from her own plants. Nana could tell me where most of her plants came from – never from a nursery, always from the gardens of friends, or propagated from the greater gardens of Brisbane. Her garden was a tapestry of love.
Today, in honour of my Nana, I’m sharing some of my garden tapestry with you. There are wild spaces, farm spaces, and little pockets of crafted space. I hope they work their magic for you too.
Oranges, sweet and juicy.
Fresh green grass and koala homes.
Sweet little tomatoes, still flourishing as the weather has cooled.
Possums, busy eating our roses.
Purple daisy, sparking with early morning rain drops.
A kitchen full of cheer.
A bountiful harvest of spuds.
The magical platypus creek.
New calf with mum, and a little friend looking on.
Thanks for visiting. Friends are welcome here anytime. Come sit a while on my verandah and enjoy a cup of tea, a chai or a good coffee with me. We can swap garden cuttings and recipes, and I promise to feed you well. Nana would approve of that! ♥ xx
