Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

It’s been a minute or two and just like gardens change over time, along the way so has life.

Sometimes plants die.

Usually I expect it to be the hardy hibiscus, but they are just late to rise in the spring. Still plants go missing over the winter, sometimes I remember what they are and other times I don’t notice right away.

Losing my dog Louie in February of 2020 was just brutal. I knew from the time he was a puppy I would only get to be with him for a short time, I just didn’t expect it to be quite so short.

One day after a bath we found some lumps on his neck, and then more behind his knees. The vet confirmed what I already knew and even though he was just 9 1/2, lymphoma took him anyway.  I was just lucky enough to get a month to spoil him silly and even luckier to have him pass gently at home so we could have one last cuddle.

Sometimes plants outgrow their spaces.

Or sometimes the conditions change in their spaces. I have one bed that continues to be taken over by maple roots. It’s too hot, the soil is too poor. The plants will have to move while they are still alive. And of course there is always the little tweaks to be made – a plant that was right sized one year is suddenly too big, or hidden behind a shrub that formerly framed it perfectly.

In October of last year, my oldest boy decided it was time to leave the nest and bought a house with his lovely girlfriend.

Of course his German Shepherd – Jack – moved with him. Suddenly I found myself dogless. Jack was never a dog I would have chosen for myself but he did help fill the giant hole Louie left behind. Jack can be a genuine pain in the ass and has to be locked in a bedroom when company comes, but I did miss him once he was gone. I did not miss having my patio door opened at random times or the piles of dog hair.

Sometimes there is a gap to fill.

I have 2 Hillbilly Blues Hosta in search of new homes. Luckily there are 2 perfect places for them around my Japanese Maple. I believe there used to be a variety of Heuchera there, but last summer was hot and dry and this year they aren’t there.

In January, I went to look at a litter of Goldens and came home with this little girl.

Her name is Gabby, or Gabby-girl, or just Girly, but when she’s bad it’s Excuse me Ma’am!

I brought Louie home as a puppy just before I turned 40. I am now 51 and while I’ve enjoyed the majority of it, I’m not sure I would do it again at 60.

However potty training was quick – I credit the fenced yard. Teaching her to stay off the couch has not been nearly as quick.

The benefits she has brought to my life are hard to count, but one of the biggest is her daily walks. After years of living life mostly sitting down, it’s been good to get moving again. Even if our walks are still on the short side.

Visiting the dog park and casual conversation with other dog park people has been a huge mood booster for me. I couldn’t tell you a single persons name – only their dogs name. More importantly I have no idea what their political beliefs or covid beliefs are. We just walk the track and yak about our dogs. It is lovely beyond belief.