Hello, beautiful October! So happy to see you! The morning air has a bit of crispness, and the sunlight has softened. There's a definite slowing in the garden, but it never stops. It's 24/7/365 in Zone 8b. It looks like we have a bumper crop of acorns on the oaks surrounding my yard. I'll be … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: October 1, 2022
I was going to skip Six on Saturday today. The garden is bedraggled as the beauties of summer are fading. Looking around the yard, I see a liminal phase that could be identified as entering a time of rest or the chaos of deteriorating glory. But this morning, I went out back with Shep around … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: On Second Thought
I'm taking a little detour from the usual Saturday flowers to show other garden occupants. My walks and my working reveal these critters with whom I must coexist. All of them are relatively harmless, and I prefer to leave them alone unless I need to occupy the same space as they do. I'll spare you … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: All Critters Great and Small
Ah, September! Finally, there’s a hint of Fall in the air. Not much, mind you, but enough to breathe a sigh of relief from the relentless heat and humidity of the long summer. The garden is transitioning too. The top photo shows my flaming firespikes, glowing red and attracting hummingbirds to the area. On cue, … Continue reading Six on Saturday: September 10, 2022
For over fifty years, I have spent a lot of my life in service to the Lord. I’m rather proud of my efforts and accomplishments. And therein lies the problem. I’m at a stage where I’m not as active as I used to be for various reasons. After all, I’m knocking on Seventy’s door. But … Continue reading Parts of My Life
As we ease into autumn, not much is happening in the garden right now. I’ve been recovering from Covid, so I haven’t spent much time tending to things out there. I’m regaining my strength and know I have a lot to tackle, but I’m just not ready yet. Summer flowers are fading, but I’ve seen … Continue reading Six on Saturday 9/3/2022
Take a walk with me today. As I show you my very wet, subtropical garden, you’ll notice the overgrown shrubs and plants that have been thriving this summer. The top photo highlights gingers covering a camellia and some azaleas. Of course, they’ll die back after the first frost, but for now, I love the layered … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: It’s a Jungle Out There!
The garden is mostly green this time of year, but I’ve pulled together six shots of color to share today. From top left, going clockwise: Encore azalea Autumn Amythest 2. White zinnias at night (with a little orange peeping around the edge) 3. Purple torenia over Lemon Crème coneflowers 4. The hot colors of gaillardia … Continue reading Six on Saturday: Mid-August Quick Six
Today’s title comes from a line in an old gospel hymn by Thomas Dorsey, “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” The lyrics say: Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on. Let me stand. I am tired. I am weak. I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on by the light. Take … Continue reading Six On Saturday: Tired, Weak, Worn
I'm closing out the month showing a variety of fungi I found during our very wet July. The heat, humidity, and overabundance of rain have provided a welcoming environment. The different colors and shapes fascinate me. The last time I was in a local bookstore, I picked up a reference book on mushrooms to identify … Continue reading Six on Saturday: July Fungi
The summer of 1969 was a year of great upheaval in the world. Most teenagers I knew were pretty oblivious to national and world events. I turned sixteen in February, and like my friends, my self-centered focus was on going places to do fun things. And yet, the world screamed for attention. Richard Nixon became … Continue reading “A Magnificent Desolation”
Top row: Phantom hydrangea, single daisy, Hidden ginger Bottom row: Limelight hydrangea, Purple coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans Have a blessed week! Shalom, Dottie
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." -Luke 7: 47-48 One of my long-time friends was laid to rest last week. It's still hard to believe she's gone because her death … Continue reading She Loved Much
I know the tenth commandment says we should not desire anything that belongs to our neighbor, but I come pretty close to breaking this one when I look around my neighbor's lovely garden. We have lived next door to each other for thirty-seven years. We have shared plants, ideas, weeds, and especially friendship throughout that … Continue reading Six On Saturday: My Neighbor’s Garden
I’m showing lots of color on this first Saturday in July. My six flower selections range from A to Z, but I’m showing my vincas out of order in the top photo, because they make a better feature presentation. Vinca minor is an annual, also known as common periwinkle. I planted most of the flat … Continue reading Six on Saturday: July 2nd A to Z
In my early gardening efforts, I didn’t appreciate what caladiums could do in the garden. I thought they were boring. But over the last few years, oh wow! I’m still learning, as I am with everything in life, but I’m loving the variety that they bring. In my Zone 8 garden, these tropicals usually come … Continue reading Six or Seven on Saturday: Caladiums
Besides showing spectacular flowers, some of my fellow Twitter gardeners come up with some clever ideas. One who goes by @AlbertSnail (aka Sophie) presented a new hashtag in early January, #1PlaceIn12Months. Participants could choose one spot and take a picture to post on social media each month in 2022. I thought it was a great … Continue reading Six On Saturday: One Place in Twelve Months Part 1
Genesis 6:5-8 When the LORD saw how wicked everyone on earth was and how evil their thoughts were all the time, he was sorry that he had ever made them and put them on the earth. He was so filled with regret that he said, "I will wipe out these people I have created, and … Continue reading The Earth was Filled with Violence
I have lots of pink right now - pinks and pinkish shades. It's a joyful color, don't you think? Psalm 66:1 says, "Shout for joy to God, all the earth." Maybe the earth shouts in flowers. Shalom, Dottie
I’ve had that song (see blog title) in my head all week. It’s from the old Broadway musical Carousel. It had some good Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes but a terrible storyline and unsympathetic characters. It just goes to show that you shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. I worked in the garden several … Continue reading Six On Saturday: “June is Bustin’ Out All Over.”
I started my morning walk around the yard, taking my usual route. Not that I always make the circuit from right to left, but Shep seems to prefer this direction. So I started down the narrow path between the nandinas and the flower bed, just past the new wooden gate. I had to move some … Continue reading Six On Saturday: Plus a Couple More
Just a collage today with six things from my garden. This week I've put in overtime out there because the summer weather is quickly approaching. I'm trying to finalize planting for a while and continuing to make the beds more presentable. My six photos are (1) Easter lilies (2) Abelia (3) Frosted orange azalea (still … Continue reading Six On Saturday: Quick Six May 14, 2022
May is the epitome of perfection in the garden. Of course, April is always a close second, and March was glorious, but May bursts out in more varieties of blooms. Only because of what I have planted over the years in my yard, May is my favorite month. But that's today. Ask me again in … Continue reading Six On Saturday: May Just May Be My Favorite
The past two weeks proved to be a wonderful, interesting time for me. I felt impressed to take a break from Twitter since that's the only social media I do unless you count this blog. I know Twitter has a bad reputation: "cesspool," "bullying," "unwholesome content," "vicious comments." I see that kind of stuff is … Continue reading On the Shelf
I’ve been taking a much-needed break from social media, but I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to review my garden on this last day of April. The first part of the month served up several severe storms, but the weather has been beautiful in the last couple of weeks. We’ve replaced one of our … Continue reading Six on Saturday: April Slips Away
I’m sharing only scriptures to ponder with the photos this week. TUESDAY, APRIL 12: FOUND Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the LORD while he may be FOUND; call upon him while he is near; Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse him: "We FOUND this man misleading our people, telling them not to pay taxes to the … Continue reading Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 7: April 12-17, 2022
If you were approaching our backyard by the double gate, Shep would not be sitting calmly as he waits. He would be barking ferociously until you are within ten feet, then he’d run and hide. Our guard dog. The top photo shows not only our Australian Shepherd but the little red Encore Autumn Fire azalea … Continue reading Six on Saturday: Walk Around the Yard
Only questions with the photos this week. TUESDAY, APRIL 5: BRING When you bring your offering before the Lord, do you do it with a joyful heart? Are you willing to share with others who are in need out of your own lack sometimes? What have you done lately that stretched your generosity muscles? WEDNESDAY, … Continue reading 2022 Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 6: April 5 -11
In today's Quick Six collage, I've chosen all pale or whitish flowers. TOP ROW: 1. Kureme Azalea, Christmas Snow 2. Buds on Michelia, Banana Shrub 3. Photina blossoms BOTTOM ROW: 4. My neighbor's spectacular cherry tree 5. Indica Azalea, Mrs. G.G. Gerbing 6. Encore Azalea, Autumn Angel Shalom, Dottie
I'm giving only scripture prompts with the photos this week. Use them as you meditate on the daily themes. Do my pictures speak to them, or are they a stretch? TUESDAY, MARCH 29: SERVED Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to BE SERVED, but TO SERVE, and to give His … Continue reading 2022 Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 5: March 29- April 4
I used to be able to work out in the yard all day. Then it became a half-day, and later down to two or three hours. So now, well, just a word to you young gardeners: aim for maintenance-free as much as possible. I never planned on getting old or my body rebelling. However, I … Continue reading Six on Saturday: End of March 2022
Enjoy some brief daily thought-stimulators for each picture. TUESDAY, MARCH 22: SHARE Do you consider yourself a generous person? Is it easy for you to share your blessings with others in need? Does it matter to you whether you get the tax deduction or not? Are you quick to offer hospitality? Some seem to possess … Continue reading Lenten Photo-a-Day Challenge Week 4
These thought-stimulators are not so much for you to know what I think about the photo, but to jump-start your own spiritual examination. The word theme and picture spoke to me. My prayer is that, perhaps, they may speak to you as well - even if you have a very different perception. And the Lord … Continue reading 2022 Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 3
Our weather is taking us on a roller coaster ride this month. After some lovely warm days in the 70s and 80s, the forecast for tonight is back down below freezing. We are a couple of weeks past our average last freeze, and all the plants have been blooming accordingly. I’ll throw a covering over … Continue reading Six On Saturday: Unpredictable March
TUESDAY, MARCH 8: DAZZLING This word brings to mind the Transfiguration of Jesus. It is also reminiscent of Moses’ face after his encounter with God on Mount Sinai. Have you ever met anyone who had “a look about them,” a glow of peace or joy that could only have been a result of their spending … Continue reading Lenten Photo-a-day Challenge Week 2
You're busy; I'm busy. How about a quick six today? These flowers are blooming in my garden today. The top row is (left to right): 1. Magnolia "Jane" just opening 2. Southern Indica Azalea "Mrs. G.G. Gerbing 3. Southern Indica Azalea "Pride of Mobile. The bottom row shows 4. Southern Indica Azalea "Formosa" 5. "Tete-a-tete" … Continue reading Six on Saturday: Quick Six March 5, 2022
The graduate school I attended in Nashville, Tennessee, had a highly creative curriculum in the late 1970s. Scarritt focused on preparing people for different lay ministries like Christian education for all ages, missions, music, and social work. It was related to the United Methodist Church, which was being very experimental in those days with approaches … Continue reading Photo-a-Day Challenge Week 1
Along the Coastal South of the United States, spring has definitely sprung. Although it’s possible to have another freeze, we also have some days in the upper 70s to lower 80s. The plants have gotten the message, especially the weeds. Today, I’ll review what has been happening in February in my garden. The weed vs. … Continue reading Six On Saturday: Spring is Here!
“Is anybody hungry?” I remember hearing those words when I was a child before the women in my family served a meal. It was a welcomed question, signaling that it was time to eat. Humans and animals alike share the common experience of hunger. We may not all feel it to the same degree, but … Continue reading Hunger
Yall really don’t want to see my garden today for Six on Saturday. It’s a cold, windy day in South Alabama, and several light freezes have decimated the tropicals. I have lots of clean-up to do, so I’ll take you back there another day. Wouldn’t you rather see what the professionals can do? So on … Continue reading Bellingrath Gardens Winter Walk
Holiness is an old-fashioned word not well-received in our 21st-century culture. The image that comes to mind is of a couple of women out shopping. The older one has long hair, braided and piled on top of her head, and the younger has locks down to her waist. Both are without makeup in long denim … Continue reading Holiness, Part Two
My front camellia has not been doing well this season. Part of it has died, but one shoot remains and has bloomed infrequently since October. There a still a few buds left to open. I've introduced my Twitter friends to Queen Bessie, but I'm happy to show her to you today. I bought and planted … Continue reading Six on Saturday: A Quick Six
Warm coastal areas are a perfect environment for mold and mildew. Even the best-built buildings can have spaces where these little fungi can get a foothold and grow, despite efforts to keep them clean. But other buildings with leaky window frames, poorly sealed concrete walls, inadequate insulation, or site flooding can be eaten up with … Continue reading Holiness
This week in the garden.
As I write this, it’s a drizzly, dreary first day of January on the Gulf Coast. Although I’m still dealing with a few technical issues, I can finally write blog posts again for my WordPress site. That being the case, I’ll show you the current state of my garden. I’ll start with the top photo … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: January 1, 2022
I haven't posted anything new here for about six months. (Have you missed me?) It wasn't my choice. I was unable to bring up the page for writing a new blog post. WordPress gave me suggestions to try, which I did, but nothing worked. It was so frustrating, and I eventually gave up. I went … Continue reading Oh My Goodness! Looking Back. Going Forward.
We can start with pretty pictures, like the top photo of two pink rain lilies. These flowers pop up intermittently after a good shower. Zephyranthes grandiflora are small bulbs that are easy to forget about, but they’re a wonderful surprise when they show up. I’ve never planted cleome (cleome hassleriana) before, and at first, I … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: Slugfest and More
For many years, I called myself a Reluctant Disciple. It’s not that I don’t love the Lord. It’s certainly not because I haven’t seen His faithfulness in my life. My walk with God has been characterized by a lot of foot-dragging. In some cases, I’ve been pulled, kicking and screaming, into His service. Just look … Continue reading The Reluctant Disciple and The Homeless Woman
How many of you remember these two characters from comic strips of the last century? One is Pigpen from Charles Shultz’s Peanuts strip, and the other is Joe Btfsplk from Al Capp’s Li’l Abner. Pigpen was the kid who was always filthy. A swirl of dirt surrounded him everywhere he went. In fact, he was … Continue reading Pardon My Dust
Each week it is getting harder to choose just six garden things to share on Saturday. I admit some weeks, I have cheated and shown more than six photos, but today I’m trying to stick with the rules. This may be a peak time for summer blooming plants on the Gulf coast since the hot, … Continue reading SIX ON SATURDAY: June 5th – Hard to Choose Six
Dottie Lovelady Rogers 