When you say the word garden, you immediately have an image of lush ferns, stately trees and bountiful harvests of fruit, vegetables and flowers. When I first stood looking at the land in front of our house, the only things I saw were the remains of a burned down house and an industrial sized crop of weeds growing through the old debris.
Well I love a challenge or I would write books now, would I? I knew I couldn’t let this three-quarters of an acre defeat me. So I started in one corner and kept moving until I got to the next one. It took a few months, and ever since I first started shoveling and digging, I’ve seen my garden through many seasons. Some lush. Some dry. Some fallow. But always a reward when I walk through it or have a quiet moment to sit in it.
And across from this I put the first pond. Digging for that pond took me three days. Do not mention rocks to me. Ever. But it was worthwhile. Lots of critters visit my little pond all year.
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Some of you have seen my editing spot before, but I’ll post it again because it’s by my bigger pond and one of my favorite spots in the garden. It faces the canyon and on cool days you can hear the creek below.
The fish are always there to greet me. “Whatcha editing today?”
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I’ve written tons of things in this garden space. In fact, I have a whole collection called Garden Lessons. I always meant to publish those, but maybe these lessons are only for me. But here’s one thought in haiku form that I enjoy.
This reminds me of the film, The Secret Garden. You took something that looks lifeless and brought it back to grandeur. I love the Griffen and the dragonfly. What a wonderful labour of love.
Wow, Lee!
What a transformation!
An abundance of greenery in your life…
Green dragon – green fingers too!
I hadn't connected all the green in my recent life! Thanks, Michelle.
This is so awesome. I wish I could come write in your garden.
http://www.damyantiwrites.com
Come and I'll serve us something special to sip while we write.
I love gardening. It's truly my therapy. It's one thing that I not only enjoy, but you get to actually see the benefit, the progress of your labor. Now your garden is Amazing. I'm witnessing the transformation of your hard work and labor into a divine oasis. It's magestic. I've never seen anything quite like it and you discovered it by accident. That makes it seem magical. I would love to have a serene, peaceful place like your garden. I would never leave. I would hide from my kids all day – LOL. It's truly magnificent.
What a delightful transformation, Lee. So pleased you're now able to enjoy your hard work. The problem is, it will forever need tending 🙂 Thank you for sharing your garden journey. All the best.
I just love the wild look of it. In my current WIP one of the main characters is creating an edible forest. It is fun to make one if only on paper.
Hey Lee,
Wow and just look at your garden now. Reminds me of when I had a garden and the labour of love involved. Your garden, a sanctuary for the soil and your soul.
Gary
You did a fine job at gardening. I wish my thumbs were so green. My attempts at gardening have been few and not very successful. We had most of our back yard paved over so there's not much space left for a garden. Actually we didn't have much of a back yard to speak of anyway and the patio has been more useful than the small plot of earth.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
You did such a wonderful job, Lee. You should be very proud. Your garden is magical. Is there a secret garden, too? It seems as if there should be.
Wow! It's amazing to see how much that land has evolved. It's so gorgeous now! Also, I can't help but adore the griffin… 🙂
Wow you have an amazing talent!! (Besides writing, of course.) I can't believe the way you transformed this place. I wished I could jump in and insert myself into the picture. Beautiful!!
And I LOVE the griffin!! How cool is that?
Wow, Lee, garden transformations like this deserve their own book! I hope you're writing it! I adore the difference from before to after. What a challenge! You know that quote that was on Judy's (Feather Stone) entry: Show me your garden and I shall tell you who you are. You are one determined, hard-working gal. Be proud. And I love your editing spot. No wonder you write such imaginative stories!
Thank you for joining WEP this month. Great to have you on board!
Denise 🙂
Thanks so much, Denise–for your comment and for the WEP! You and Yolanda had a great idea.
Your hard work has certainly paid off. I particularly love the griffin. A lovely space for you to work on your editing.
Hi, Sally. It's always a great place to lose myself and retreat from the computer.
I loved learning more about your garden and seeing the before and after pictures. You have done so much to your garden and really transformed it. I love gardening and feel so at peace when I have finished a project.
Your editing spot is out of this world. It looks so peaceful. 🙂
~Jess
I know what you mean about the peacefulness of a garden and a finished project!
what a lovely garden!
Hi and thanks!
Wow, that looks awesome. I'd like to get out in my back yard and make a garden worthy of attracting butterflies and dragonflies. My hubby keeps cluttering it with man junk. Seriously spoils the mood.
Congrats on making something so beautiful out of all those weeds.
Those men. What to do about that stuff they clutter our yards with? That's the question.
You did remarkable things! Those before and after pictures are so different. Beautiful garden.
I'm glad I took the before pictures. They remind me of what can be done when you set your mind to it.
Wow, that's an amazing change and lovely garden. I like the Gryphon and the pond. I can see why you would be able to write so well in a setting like that.
It's a quiet spot and I find that quiet spots are hard to come by in our world.
Lee — the after pictures are amazing! Your hard work really paid off.
To paraphrase Annie Lamont: One weed at a time.
Oh my, what a lovely, lovely piece of heaven on earth, a sanctuary. Love that you used the remnants of the old property to create something new. Your garden art is as inspired as the greenery! Well done. Thank you for sharing your beautiful haven for the WEP Gardens Challenge.
How beautiful. Awesome writing space. What a rewarding transformation.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
My goodness – that was a challenge worth taking on – transforming that space into such a fabulous garden. It must be lovely to sit and edit with the little fish for company. I absolutely loved your post.
Beautiful. You are so creative. What a wonderful place to walk, relax, and write.
It's a great outlet and very different from writing, so it's a good balance for me.
I love how you transformed the space with love. That and watching things grow are what make gardens magic for me. I can't wait for spring to see which perennials will come back. I like the old style flowers like hollyhocks, dahlias, and wisteria. Veggie gardens are too much work IMO, but if one has the time, they pay back. I like the dragonfly!
This year my hollyhocks outperformed themselves. I couldn't believe how tall and magnificent they became.
I've got my garden going, corn, pumpkins, beans, all the things I'll want come fall time:)
Perfect. When's dinner?
Hi, Lee…
That is AMAZING.. What fantastic space! No wonder you never want to leave there. It is truly inspiring!
I just finished my WEP… I also chose my digs… but with a much darker twist. I live in a gritty city. SO instead of focusing on the STUNNING Grant Park Gardens of Chicago, I chose the square across from my urban loft… I know you visited me earlier, but if you have a sec I'd love you to read it…
I loved your post about the urban garden.
Hi Lee – that is some vision – you've had for your garden … but it does look and sounds like a wonderful place for a home with a writer's garden. I like the idea of your Garden Lessons – could make a good e-book …
Brilliant ideas – with the dragonfly, then the Griffin … and your nooks, peaceful places … what a great way to bring the garden to fruition …
A delightful read … cheers Hilary
I just have to dig that book out and see if it has the nuggets of wisdom I think I penned. Thanks, Hilary.
Wow, what a transformation. I find garden work medatitive, and don't regret any of the blood, sweat and tears which go into it.
I am so impressed by your achievements, and would love to sink down into it and absorb the beauty.
Like your haiku too – but doubt that any gardener can sit and not see work which needs to be done, which could be done…
I know what you're saying about no rest for the gardner. It's almost impossible not to see something that needs attending to .
Oh, yeah, from devastation to beauty: that road always leads through hard work, but the results are amazing. Your garden is amazing.
You're so right. But as long as it's a labor of love it's a lovely road to travel. Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, you put in a lot of work. I think the dragonfly is a great lesson in making lemonade out of lemons.
And it was an accidental find! Well, I've come to think nothing is accidental. Not really. Thanks, Liz.
Absolutely beautiful, Lee, and I love your editing spot. A person could get daydream away just sitting there.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
I know about that daydreaming allure. And then there's always the temptation to have a conversation with the fish.
Hi, Lee. I love the haiku…and the transformations on your land, shown by the beautiful photographs. All awesome – especially the "talking" fish 🙂
They impart a lot of wisdom, those fish!
Wow! What an amazingly beautiful transformation. Simply love your editing spot and the pond too. 🙂
It's still a great place to venture into, so the hours spent creating it have been extremely worthwhile.
Ooh beautiful! You're doing a great job with the garden, and I LOVE your editing spot.
You can tell all the hard work you put into your garden. It's so beautiful and peaceful. Love the pond with the gold fish.
Thoughts in Progress
and MC Book Tours
You sure made quite the spot indeed as so much has taken seed.
What a lovely garden! I'm a little lax with my garden this year, but it's been so wet and humid. The tomatoes and sunflowers are loving it!
What a delightful spot you made! Love the dragon fly and Griffin.
Wonderful to look at and wonderful to read Lee.
Yvonne.
I should write a poem to add, but I'll leave that to the poets!
Hi, C. Lee!
You worked hard on your property and it shows! Your garden project is an excellent example of chunking down a huge, daunting task into smaller, more manageable pieces. I admire your imagination as you transformed every corner into a place of beauty and serenity, even adding a dash or two of whimsy. I can easily imagine you drawing writing inspiration from those cozy spots. Well done, dear friend!
Thanks for taking a journey though one of my favorite spots. You're always welcome.
It's beautiful now. Did you have the griffon or was it hidden in that mess?
I sought him out! I've always love There's a Griffin in My Garden, so I had to have one for mine.
Wow, now that is quite the transformation! I doubt many would've had the vision for the garden that you did.
It was a labor of necessity and then love. Thanks, Alex.