My guest on the radio show this week was Heather McCallum. Due to technical difficulties at the radio station I did not receive the recording to present in this post today. As soon as we are able to work out the problems, I’ll feature the interview. I had a wonderful time talking with Heather about her reign as Miss America, her life since then, her family, passion for writing and much more. I hate letting my readers down……I promise to make it up to all of you!
A Sign of Good Luck!
While putting new plants in containers on our deck the other day a ladybug landed on my right hand. Ever so gently I could feel its little legs moving around on my arm. Did you know it has long been considered good luck to have a ladybug light on your body?
Ladybugs are a good thing in any garden. Farmer’s promote their growth in fields where they protect crops from other insects such as aphids and sap feeders. A single ladybug can eat more than 5,000 aphids during its lifetime.
This cute little red bugs is from the beetle family. Beetles have long been symbolic in Asia and in Egypt they became the most highly valued religious symbol. Christianity finds this sweet little bug mentioned as a sign from the Virgin Mary when they appeared in a multitude on endangered crops after people prayed for protection for their fields.
You can purchase these productive little creatures at most garden centers this time of year. Set them free in your flower and vegetable beds and let them get to work!
If one happens to land on you, let it be and then go buy a lottery ticket! You just never know!
Photographing Holly
I’m welcoming Holly Herrick to The Permanent Tourist family as she prepares to launch her site this month from Charleston, SC. You’ll hear more about Holly another day but I wanted to share the time we spent on the beach with Joe Loehle, taking photos and having way too much fun.
The site is Gould’s Inlet, one of my favorite spots.
At low tide you can walk out onto sand bars and feel as though you’re walking on water….
At high tide there is not as much beach but still a beautiful place…..
Joe and Holly tried different poses, getting it all just right. I had fun photographing him while he took shot after shot of her.
I always feel a renewed sense of delight that I live on St. Simons Island and get to experience this bliss whenever I want to. Embracing my life, loving my work and knowing all is well…..it’s a very good way to live and for this I start each day with two little words….Thank You!
For David….
David’s Lilies
There are times when I get so busy I’m not aware of the passing of time. Each day blends into the next in glorious repetition and I go with the flow. By now, dear readers, everyone knows my love for flowers. My cousin, David Beaty, and I grew up together in Texas, lost each other over years of moving around the country and then reconnected at a family reunion in the early 2000’s. David, a creative free spirit like myself, and I instantly knew we were kindred souls. Each morning I would receive eFlowers from David…I never knew what he might send, but I have saved everyone of them over the past three or four years.
David’s passion flowers
When I did not receive flowers I knew something was up. David began to share his health issues with me over the past few months and his stays in and out of the hospital. His home in Petaluma, California seemed a world away from this little island off the Southern coast of Georgia. I knew he had family and friends but I still felt the distance. And then the e-mails stopped coming as of last Sunday. David passed from this life early Saturday morning, it almost feels unreal not being able to see him one last time, knowing we’ll never have another smart aleck text message exchange or emails where we discuss our lives, challenges and loves.
Stairway to heaven?
Life is fleeting, I am acutely aware of this as the years pass. Caring for my parents and watching them deal with their limited time on this Earth has ushered a lot of this awareness into my consciousness. Over the past couple of weeks David’s daily eFlowers had changed in subject matter. One recent photo was of deep space, I kidded him saying it looked like the stairway to heaven, and he agreed. I wonder if he sensed what was happening, such a sweet, creative spirit, David exuded sensitivity in all that he did.
David Beaty
So today I felt guided to dedicate a post to my cousin. His family grieves for him, his co-workers and friends and his beloved basset hounds. Life is precious…..let your loved ones know how you feel….and take a look at your life. If you’re holding back, not going after a dream or pursuing your passion then start…..start today….live your life with purpose. I’ll miss my flowers, but most of all, I’ll miss a man who has become a dear friend. I’ll treasure the memories forever.
Peonies….Plants….Pretties
Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday the 11th. I immediately think of Edward on St. Simons when I consider giving flowers and other unique gifts.
When Edward’s posted fabulous pictures of my favorite flowers….peonies….I knew I could not resist featuring these beauties! There’s a Yiddish work, “kvell”, that translates to feeling happy and proud. Well…Kvell is the word coming to mind when I think of the sweet smells and absolute gorgeousness I found myself surrounded by while visiting the shop.
Way beyond mere flowers, Edward’s is overflowing with succulents, candles and unique containers you can select from for an arrangement or plant. You’ll love working with the owners too…knowledgeable, helpful and full of great design ideas! The flowers are uber fresh and smell fabulous. I’d like to bottle the fragrance they all create in the shop and fill my home with it!
Did I mention orchids? Elegant and colorful….you’ll find spectacular varieties here!
There’s just something about a floral shop that says “happy” to me! Think of Mom…..think of Edward!
Edward on Saint Simons 224 Redfern Village St. Simons Island, GA 31522 edward@edwardonstsimons.com 912.638.7323
Simple Sundays
Total relaxation courtesy of “Liquid Mind” this fine Sunday morning. Let the music be absorbed as you sit quietly, breathing in and out….allowing spirit to speak deep in the silence of your mind. If you’re lucky enough to live near the beach and can download this on your iPod or other device, this is perfect for sitting at water’s edge and experiencing the amazing flow of the waves as they come in and out, so effortlessly. We can learn, from nature, the lesson of living in a state of acceptance of repetition, of letting go and listening for guidance. Music like this recording is such a powerful guide…..please enjoy!
On The Radio
I talked with Holly McClure on the show this week. Holly is a very gifted author as well as a Celtic Christian priest and all around Renaissance woman. You’re in for a treat when you listen to this dear friend of mine talking about her life and writing!
The Wild Things
I posted a picture of the milkweed plant I have in my garden the other day and got so many comments about it. I began to wonder about plants that are indigenous to Coastal Georgia and my exploring began. I love working in my garden and, at this time of year, seeing what made it through the winter as little sprouts begin to show here and there. I thought it would be fun to feature several of the “wildflowers” that grow so beautifully here. I love interspersing perineals of all types in with annuals and a few herbs nestled into blank spaces. It gives interest to the garden, a lovely fragrance and yummy things for summer cooking!
Any plant that attracts butterflies is a plant for me! Wild blue indigo is such a plant. I’ve seen it growing wild along the roadside this spring, but it also makes a lovely addition to the garden. Butterflies and bees will gather round when this plant is part of your garden. Of special interest to me is the fact that this plant is what American Indians and settlers ued to extract its dye and create the color blue.
Jack-In-The-Pulpit is another favorite of mine. This sweet plant gets its name from its appearance that looks like a little man standing at a pulpit delivering a sermon. It almost looks like a calla lilly to me. Jack-In-The-Pulpit’s grow very well in shady spaces and they love to be well watered. Birds love the berries this plant produces, but humans beware…..they are toxic for us.
Coreopsis and it’s beautiful yellow blossoms is a great addition to the garden. It is hearty and grows well in our summer heat. There are several different types of coreopsis, but I tend to favor the large flowered variety for its height and pretty flowers.
Next on my list of favorite wild flowers is phlox. You see it growing along the interstate highways like blankets of lavender spreading for miles. This hearty plant is perfect in a rock garden, around a pond or gently rolling down the slopes of your garden. There are many color varieties, but I think the lavender and maybe white are my choice.
This post could go on and on, but more on wildflowers will have to wait for another time. I can’t finish without including the flower I have at the top of my list…..Cone Flowers. Known in the herbal world as the source of the powerful healer, Echinacea, this pretty flower grows tall and spreads, creating the most colorful display with its dark center and bright petals. I’m trying these once again this year and hoping they take off. I have not have much luck thus far, but this will be the year!
I hope you’ll get out in your garden and feel the soil between your toes…..dig your fingers into the rich moisture and start planting! There is nothing more healing than spending time in a garden! Here’s to Spring!
