The Joy of Discovery

One of the very fun things about moving into a well-loved house is discovering all of those previous acts of love.  Especially when it comes to the garden: the rose bushes hidden among the blackberry bushes, the bird houses scattered throughout the garden, the brilliant purple iris that emerges on a grey day, the absolute joy of peonies, the fruit trees and the guessing game that comes with that (I know it’s a cherry tree...but what kind of cherry? What kind of pear? What kind of apple? What kind of grapes?) -- and, of course, a giant tractor tire filled with rhubarb.  

But the previous owner isn’t the only who has shown this land some love  -- Mother Nature has been very generous in providing her gifts as well. Today I found a bright pink wildflower and scoured the internet in order to identify what kind of flower it was (a lathyrus latifolius -- an everlasting pea!). I also identified my first narrow-leaf plantain. I saw a neon green bee and a fuzzy striped bumblebee with orange pollen pants, I stepped on wild mint and happily inhaled its fragrance. I picked daisies in remembrance of my sweet mom and used wild garlic in my cooking. And as I look out on a field full of happy yellow flowers, tomorrow I might just try my hand at making Dandelion wine!  Such an abundance of beautiful gifts!  I am awed. To quote Jane Austen here, Mother Nature “couldn’t have bestowed her kindness on a more grateful subject.”

I am trying my best to show my love for this land as well...lavender for the bees, new herbs to add to those already here and a blue hammock tucked away among the Douglas Fir trees. But my additions really are unnecessary -- after all, how does one improve upon perfection?  Perhaps the best thing I can do is just ​appreciate and care for the gifts we have been given, send out love to those who came before us, and share these gifts with all who visit.