Arrivals

Dear Sisters,

Thank goodness I was up and around early. I thought the dogs just want to celebrate Patrick's arrival with a walk around Goose Lake, but I was wrong. It seems they were trying to let me know I had a new resident in my littlest garden.

Right by the front door sits a small window box garden. I planted it late last fall on a whim while I considered Holly's news about starting a family. I knew much was sure to change! The timing was off for planting such a little garden, and I admit I worried some about the challenges the future would bring.

I tried to protect what I could from winter with prayers that nature would take hold.

It seemed all I could do was let Spring and then Summer nurture the energy held beyond my reach. I gave the best care I could give which was my support and encouragement (and regulated the water-not too much- not too little)

Maybe not so surprising now that I think about it, that spark of life that is part of every garden began to florished once I added a few thoughtful additions. Begonias for my daughter Jill " mini-mom", even with house plants and Purple leaf, a cutting from my garden friend Jill S. I love the way it's leaf has a band of glitter when the light is just right. It is like Jill S. who also has found her own way to sparkle! A make believe bird house for Sammy and Jean and a delicate trellis that make me think of how Joanne always offer's others timely support. A little curved bench is part of this sweet scene as a reminder of June H. who knows the most about the magic of gardens and helps me remember to rest and savor the "moment".

I decided to add a small slightly damaged birdbath I am recycling into this gardenas a remider of our "sister "connection. It has a pretty bluebird bathing with abandon! Thank goodness we can all connect, maybe worn like mom's Velveteen Rabbit- but we all know we are loved-we are sisters!

Of course I added a tiny watering hose for all the many people who, like water fill my existance, refreshing and escential though not alwasy obvious until you are thirsty!

Then I had an enchanted idea-------------- I would wish for "fairy small request" for a Sprite to make the garden his home.

I enlisted some help from Jean with the search for an available fairy. Eventually she was able to make contact with the hard to find Red Mulberry Sprites (they use to be everywhere-but not so any more-but they do somehow have sponsors with some internet connections.

I only know one garden that is still has Red Mulberry Magic. That is a privledge given only to the purest of heart. This caretaker is so special that the Red Mulberry Fairy Queen has her portait from when she was a child handing in "HER" house. Red Mulberry Fairies and Sprites can see you through the sparkle of HER eyes) .

The package arrived on my porch just weeks ago with instructions to "open the box near the "ready for love" garden and wait-do not disturb". It is good to practice pateince-but it is hard!

Sure enough, As I headed outside with the dogs Lucy and Chip, the first rays of sunlight were touching my doorstep garden, spotlighting its new resident as he toured his minature estate.

Now my tiny pocket garden, vacant all spring except for the passing butterfly is now a home to the littlest mulberry sprite I have ever seen! He seems pleased to have a place of his own in my garden and heart!