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the Will to Live

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Jenny's son,  Jeff,  Alyssia's brother.   my grandson.    Fate's father and now also the father of Brinley,  2 months younger than Emrie.  in Sacramento.   

The first spring i was here,  brought for Jenny's Mother's Day gift.   Hydrangea.    When it arrived,  that week end,  our eyebrows went up…Hydrangea,  an exotic,   none of  us had ever had a Hydrangea.   But here it was on the Hill.  Probably from Home Depot.   It was planted twice,  twice foiled by the Goats who alternately ate it and pulled it up by it's roots.   Was replanted and then finally placed in a landscape pot where it grew and shriveled,  grew and shriveled while waiting for someone,  anyone,  to say where to try to plant it again.  

Last fall i thought….enough.   it looked done in.   i planted it near the road gate at B,   quiet ,  for a while but then….Just Going…..slowly,  leaf by leaf  until now…..that bud cluster.   Maybe this Mother's Day?   There is nothing known to say about these kinds of things.   Just to marvel and watch as it all unfolds.   Life.   Life loves Life.   Loves.

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19 responses to “the Will to Live”

  1. sarita Avatar
    sarita

    I don’t know much about plants. I carried hydrangea blossoms when I got married. Big bush grew outside my front door, so free wedding flowers! I suppose yours must have just needed the right spot. Looks very happy and healthy now. My gran used to say that in order for plants to grow well, you had to learn to ignore them in just the right way. Maybe. Everything she grew flourish.

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  2. Michelle Slater Avatar
    Michelle Slater

    How true dear one…life will BE.

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  3. Tina Avatar
    Tina

    Your Hydrangea is showing its appreciation for all your loving care. Our plants do know how to give back.

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  4. Marti Avatar
    Marti

    It always is a wonder how the “will to live” is so strong in what you would think would be delicate plants. Here I’m speaking of how our thyme wintered over this year and is carpeting our herb area…so much joy to see this as well as our sage. Sage is especially a gift since I not only cook with it but make bathroom scent along with other ingredients.
    We had one of the coldest and snowiest years in New Mexico last year and these two herbs simply held for some unforeseen reason since every other year, they have died. So I’m simply going to accept that this was an offering, a gift from the plant realm, a way of reminding that even in the most bewildering and hard times, hope comes in the will to survive and to thrive, even under the most harsh conditions.
    Earlier in the week, we planted mesclun and arugula seeds and I almost cried to see under the straw mulch, a few arugula plants bravely poking up; also having held over from winter. I gathered them up, we ate a few for lunch but I put a few leaves on my altar, next to dried sage, lavender and rosemary to honor this lessson of simply, nature just going…

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  5. Lillian Avatar
    Lillian

    Unfortunately my friend, Hydrangeas need A LOT of water to survive in California
    Lillian D

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  6. Mo Crow Avatar
    Mo Crow

    Hydrangeas are tough as nails but they do love water and let you know when they need it by wilting and on the very hot windy days in summer the edges of the leaves get singed but they are hardy, often the last plant to survive in old neglected gardens here in Sydney.

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  7. Acey Avatar
    Acey

    can confirm everything Mo said as being just as accurate for very different growing conditions here in the northeast. All my life I thought they strictly for delicate old ladies who had People to do their yard work, otherwise loved seeing something beautiful through the window etc.
    Got a hydrangea called Pinkie Winkie as part of a trio of bushes I acquired over the course of two years when we first arrived. While I love the bush she’s becoming quite a great deal – and always speak to her of this – she does not get consistent or close care. Because I know she doesn’t need it. She’s a reliable self-sustaining green child who is growing into a very lovely lady indeed.

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  8. sparrow Avatar
    sparrow

    life loves life…loves…life…

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  9. maria Avatar
    maria

    ” Hortensia” Hydrangeas they need attention in warm summer , they are like children , give them love ( water)and they grow better , just like us like everything

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  10. Deb G Avatar
    Deb G

    I planted mine 4 feet from the water facet outside…so that I’d remember to water it each time I turn the facet on during the summer.

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  11. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    it’s that thing of Agency…even for plants
    Love the image of a bridal bouquet…i’ll carry that along here…thank you

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  12. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    yes. it’s good to see it play out

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  13. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    ee, Tina, i could have done so much better…
    but Her Forgiveness is a lesson in itself

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  14. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    OH, HEllooooooooooooo Lillian D….you must be here somewhere which always makes me all happy…where in
    this magnificant state are you?
    and yes..it will be ok. She is at the beginning of the B Garden which i water diligently all the NoRAIN months, so will be ok there. I did not water her at all in the winter rain after planting. that went ok.
    Tell me Anything and Everything about growing in California. I have so much to learn
    thank you, love,

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  15. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    love that image so much…”last plant to survive in old
    neglected gardens”

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  16. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    reliable and self sustaining….something to aspire to

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  17. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    does, doesn’t it. I know you know, dear You

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  18. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    i can do this. I will be honored to do this.

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  19. grace Forrest Avatar
    grace Forrest

    good plan.

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