Solace for the Soul

I don’t recall when my interest in flowers and gardening began. From my childhood I only remember my parents having a few peonies and a handful of tulips growing in the yard. I recall my father keeping the shrubs carefully trimmed and the lawn neatly mowed. Mother would always plant red geraniums in the window boxes on the front of the house. However I don’t think either of my parents particularly enjoyed being outside amongst any flowers in a garden.

Over the years my husband and I have enjoyed expanding our interest in gardening. One home in which we lived had so many trees in the yard that out of necessity we created a lush shade garden with a variety of ferns and hostas lining paths that allowed us to wander from area to area of the garden. It was there we enjoyed a small pond and the peaceful sound of a fountain.

Our Tennessee home presented us a blank canvas. No trees and very little soil with patchy grass wasn’t particularly inviting. Our current garden remains a work in progress and is slowly expanding and maturing.

Simply stated, over the years my garden has become my special place.

Nearly daily I photograph my flowers in the garden. I often wonder which came first – the love of photography or the love of gardening. For me the two go hand-in-hand.

Recently I brought a Calla Lily from the garden into the house for a photoshoot. She was such a curvaceous, beautiful subject.