Vera Sytch's Posts
My garden, my refuge
In our yard, this was the snowdrop that bloomed on March 4.
Although the first day of spring last week was accompanied by snow, I scanned my yard for more hints of the coming season.
Among the dead leaves and barren earth, a few heartening signs have appeared.
During the warm-weather months, you can often find me in my garden, my refuge from the day's pressures, my escape into a world of simple splendor. No matter how many times I walk through my garden, I am captivated by its beauty - not because I created the gardens, but because of the magnificence of God's creation. The exquisite charm of the individual plants astounds me. The early morning sunlight skimming across the garden flowers takes my breath away.
A walk through my garden is also a visit with friends because my garden is a tapestry of gifts - lamb's ear from Josie, liatris from Michele, irises from Joy, forget-me-nots from Joanna, sedum from Deniz... My sister gave me a spiderwort; my brother Alex - a hosta.
A saunter down my stone pathways can be a journey to another place: the wild columbine reminds me of a trip to Buttermilk Falls; the trillium - the hills of Ellison Park; the phlox - my cousin's cottage garden in Ukraine.
Over the years, I have photographed my gardens, in part to record the blossoms, and in part to be able to compare from year to year what blooms when. The date and time metadata for digital picture files have made that easy.
Last year I made an extra effort to document my gardens from the early spring blossoms through the first snow. So as I wait for the days to lengthen and my flowers to unfurl, I invite you to walk through my garden with me.
Comments
Posted By: jamie burgess (9/2/2009)
Comment: Miss you. Love jamie
Posted By: Neada (5/3/2009)
Comment: My mother also searched for signs of spring and was ecstatic when that first crocus popped into view! Even though I didn't appreciate it when she urged me out of my warm teen cocoon to go search for life in the still cold ground, she managed to instill her longing for beauty in my soul. She's been in heaven for 34 years, and I look forward to her showing me around the garden she's creating there.
Posted By: Bev (4/23/2009)
Comment: Your pictures are beautiful and you write so well. You painted quite a picture at the AIDs orphanage. All your pictures and stories were delightful and thoroughly enjoyed. I will tell my daughter to read your blog. She has a Nikon D40 and loves to take pictures of her three little girls. She is quite the photographer!
Posted By: Kellie Davis (4/22/2009)
Comment: This work is all amazing. I especially enjoyed your pictures from Honduras. I am just learning to take pictures and I am truly inspired by your view of the world!
Posted By: Roman (4/13/2009)
Comment: Vera, what an enjoyable post, with wonderful photos as always. My wife has been out daily as well since early March, checking for signs of new flowers sprouting up. A sure sign of spring!
Posted By: Vera (4/9/2009)
Comment: Cathy, I made sure to dig the pond deep enough to overwinter the fish right in the water garden. The trick is to have a breathing hole for the fish; they'll suffocate if the surface freezes over with ice. As long as I keep the pump for the waterfall running all winter, the fish do just fine. These goldfish have been in the pond for years, and every spring they mate and I have more! And yes, I like to trade plants. I also give them away to friends. And because I still have a surplus, my daughters sometimes set up a roadside stand and sell some of the extras.
Posted By: Cathy (4/9/2009)
Comment: I have 2 questions - Where do the fish live in the winter? Do you like to trade plants?
Posted By: Toshi (4/8/2009)
Comment: Men, I wish I was at your garden. I used to spend a lot of time in my backyard viewing flowers. Yes, your description reminds me of my house in Upstate during this season.
Posted By: Deanna (4/8/2009)
Comment: With the sun peeking through this afternoon, the timing of your blog post is perfect. I can't wait for next week when the weather warms up again. Your blog and pictures helped.
Posted By: meredith (4/8/2009)
Comment: Vera I enjoyed seeing your garden: especially viewing it thought the kodak picture gallery. There is so much colour. Our summers in Melbourne are dry and hot. This summer most plants in our garden were burnt buy the 40- 46 degree Celsius days we had in February. It is heart warming to see how lush your garden can be during spring and summer.
Posted By: Joy (4/7/2009)
Comment: Beautiful, as always, Vera! You take the coldness out of my heart on this snowy day!
Posted By: Irene Wagner (4/7/2009)
Comment: There was (probably is) a little stand of crocuses right by our old #73 driveway (at the bottom of the lawn just before the yard drops off into the hill.) Every year, they bloomed faithfully on March 26, my birthday. I think the flowers in your beautiful photos might be their kinfolk. I need to write you a letter after classes are over. Give our love to all at #65.
Posted By: josie (4/7/2009)
Comment: Vera,I love that our gardens are visits with our friends(and that iam one).As it should be!It reminds us of His renawal and transformation in our life.He makes beauty from dirt. Love You, Josie
Posted By: Andy (4/7/2009)
Comment: Vera, your photos are spectacular once again. I can't wait to get dirt under my nails.
Posted By: Vera (4/7/2009)
Comment: Phyllis, because most of my gardens are in the BACKyard, it's a well-kept secret that I'm a gardener ;-) However, last year I did add a garden in the front yard, and since I'm running out of room in back, more of my handiwork will be visible from the street in the future.
Posted By: Phyllis Dewhirst (4/7/2009)
Comment: What a glorious garden--I felt the awesome presence of the Lord just in viewing it. I didn't realize what a beautiful garden you had! A renewal of life. A gift. Thank you, and God bless you.
Posted By: John and Jeanne (4/7/2009)
Comment: Vera, Your Springtime garden email dispelled winter's grip today. Thank you for sharing the beauty of God's creation with us.
Posted By: Linda (4/7/2009)
Comment: What a beautiful garden and pond! They look like a true labor of love. I especially like the garden you are preparing in tribute to your brother - what a lasting touch! As a fellow gardener and Kodaker, I enjoy all of your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Posted By: Vera (4/7/2009)
Comment: Ted, I took most of the flower photos with either my Kodak P880 or DX7590, which is several years old. Sometimes I used a tripod.
Posted By: Ted (4/7/2009)
Comment: Vera, Great column as usual. My grandmother (Ukrainian) also had beautiful gardens and fruit trees. Yours bring back memories. One question though; what camera did you use for the fantastic shots? Thanks again for another great picture painted.
Posted By: Tom (4/7/2009)
Comment: Vera nice shots - a hint at the burst of Spring colors that are on the way. Make sure you capture the snowfall from today! Those crocuses are probably saying "What's up with that!"