Ever feel like Ruby?

Ruby Tewes (sp), I mean. I have a vision for this place in my head. Baby steps, baby steps.

My dining room is a disaster. We can use it, but there are places where the plaster lathe shows through. At least I have a beautiful new bathroom/laundry room. Not to mention a new kitchen and two new bedrooms. Written, that seems like a lot. Living it seems like slow going. Nearing four years and I’m still not done. ACK!

I’ve got someone lined up to finish the new wiring in the last three rooms. It has to wait until spring though. So does the hanging the new drywall. I also have a cabinet maker lined up to build me floor to ceiling shelving on the whole north wall of the smallest bedroom, aka my new library/guest room.

Then there’s landscaping. I still have a loooong way to go there too since I changed the house so much. I have a brave wisteria out back by the shed. I say brave because in the first year after I planted it, Ed ran over it with the lawn mower. You can imagine the Celt came out in me that day. I didn’t say a word more than “don’t ever do that again; be careful.” but inside, I wanted to wring his bloody neck and I’m absolutely sure my eyes were shooting lightening.

The wisteria grew about four more feet last summer, so I may get some tiny blooms this year Lord willing. I’ve wanted wisteria since the spring of ‘83. I was pregnant with Caleb and supposed to be on bed rest. I’d take a lounge chair out back and put it as close to my neighbor Miss Sue’s wisteria plant as I could. I couldn’t get enough of the sweet blooms. Nor the great conversations with Miss Sue. Can’t wait to get to heaven and hook up with her again. That was one sweet sweet lady.

I may get lilacs again this year. When I sold part of my property to the village, I had them dig up my lilac plant for me and replanted it. I think I had three blooms last year. lol Like I said, baby steps. I have to have lilacs. Have to. My Punkin (my paternal grandma) had three of the largest lilac bushes I have ever seen. The blooms are beautiful, the fragrance is lovely and they remind me of my Punkin.

Another must is red rambling roses. You may begin to detect a theme here because those were my Gramps favorite flower. One of mine too.

Hollyhocks for Gram, all colors and let a thistle grow for Grandpa. Though he always told me the ones in Scotland were better.

I guess I’m sentimental, but there are things I plant just for me too. Last year I put out a few lily of the valley. hmmmm….. I know there was something else perennial, but what will probably escape me until I see it pop up.

This late spring to summer, I plan on fencing in the back half acre with field posts and pig wire. Then I’ll plant my morning glories and moon flowers along the south end, roses to the north end (will show from the front of the house. Hollyhocks on the north end? No, maybe the raspberries there. Hollyhocks and sweet pea on the west, near the wisteria.

Lord willing, at some point I’ll be able to buy the land either north (preferably iykwim) or to the south. Then I can expand my gardening. For now I need to get creative with the space I have.

I want a garden shed for starting so I don’t have to make room in the house in the winter. I saved all I could from the demo. As simple as the design is, I really think I can play tool belt diva and make that myself.

Then there’s the dogs. I need to double fence by the shed and make a dog door into the shed. The second fenced off part is for the grand kids and company sake. My huge young dogs still think they are lap dogs.

I need to build a bench structure for the wisteria to climb onto so I can sit and read enveloped in that intoxicating scent.

Like Ruby and The Cove. I have a vision for my little Green Acres. I simply need to be patient (not my strong suit) and keep taking those baby steps!