A Garden Remodel Ready for Planting
Come take a walk. Our garden remodel is done at last.
Well, almost done. The stairways still need railings. And that bare dirt needs plants, lots of them.
(I’m thinking drought tolerant ceanothus, manzanita and salvia for the back yard. And in the side garden — between two deer fences — roses, creeping fig, dahlias and kitchen herbs.)
But the hard work is finally done. The hardscaping is firmly in place.
A brick staircase winds its way down into our back yard. And thoroughly up-to-code concrete stairs give safe access to the side yard.
A lovely redwood deck right outside my office door invites lounging in the sun — and maybe working.
All our back and side yard need now is plants — and visitors.
Whose Garden Is This?
OK, I know. It’s not our garden. It’s not our backyard.
There’s no us or we anymore. Jon’s gone. It’s just me.
My, me, mine — those words feel so grabby. So possessive. So isolating. I’m more comfortable with we. I put a lot of work into this garden remodel. Lots of time and thought and heart.
I didn’t do it for myself. I did it for — an us.
Jon’s not here to be the us with me any more. So I’m counting on friends, acquaintances and readers to fill in some of that empty spot.
So come take a walk!
More botanical tales at “Autumn in the Garden, When Sensible Plants Pack It in for the Winter.” Also, “The Downside of Things Beautiful — From the Mighty Rose to the Humble Daisy.”
Both your new concrete and brick stairs and your pollinator garden are amazing. You have been busy finishing your very big projects…well done. After so many years with our sidekicks next to us, it is still hard to soldier on alone. Friends and family are so much help but it is still so strange not to have that love we shared by our side to admire what ever “project” was next. We were both lucky and remain thankful to have had such good men in our lives.
Yes. We were — and are — lucky to have had those sidekicks for so many years. And, yes, I so wish that I could show all my handiwork off to Jon. Instead, neighbors and friends are being implored to come by and look and admire.
You and Jon both did it. I’m sure you talked about the project and you completed it. Looks wonderful, now for plants!!
I’m really looking forward to the plants. Some people have dogs. Some have cats. I’m going to have manzanita and ceanothus. I hope.
It looks great Barbara. I’m sure Jon is pleased to see that it is almost complete…and much safer.
It’s looking very pretty. Railings are under construction right now. And soon some fire resistant plants will be put in for a beautiful view from our beautiful deck. And, yes, I think even Jon, who was never as crazy about our bricks as I was, would like the new yards.
Well done Barbara.
I’m really glad I went ahead and did this.
Hi Barbie,
Hope you are very proud of this stairway adventure. The bricks look beautiful and are going to be even more stunning with flowers. When travel is not so iffy I hope to walk up and down these steps with you!
♥️ Shag
Can’t wait to see you in person. Here or Michigan. Or both.
Stairways to Heaven! 🎼. You’ve done a beautiful job on your well-loved home . . . and I know your dear Jon has partnered with you still!
Jon was not crazy about this brick staircase — I think it’s because it was so uneven and treacherous and his post-polio balance was not great. But, once the railing is in I think he would have enjoyed going down into the yard to play with the grandchildren.
Wow, Barb! I’d be panting like a spent puppy going up those stairs! They’re beautiful, but I’m glad I live in good old flat Michigan! Nice lakes though.
Yes! Good old flat Michigan, where Mt. Holly, a 1,100-foot bump in the ground, is considered a mountain. But, you don’t have to be tall to be beautiful, and Michigan is beautiful. Great lakes. Fat mosquitoes.
Good job, Barbara. Very cool!
Uhhh. Good job, Peter. Super cool! I can climb up those stairs, no problem, right now. Once the railings are in I’ll be able to run down them as well. Meanwhile, I’ve counted the steps. There is a total of 61 — three-plus storeys worth of staircases.