It was an easy decision you see...
To see a great big, giant, huge sunflower bloom (oh, and tiny ones too), and say...
Mister Sunflower, you comfort me so...
And, you remind me of the one I love...
So, I will grow you in memory of Baby, and to comfort me, and to cast your smile upon the earth.
So, I have a plan, for these astoundingly huge sunflower trees, or so they seem to me...
Mister Lovee is 5 ft ,11 inches. (those are shadows on his back ;)
And, yes I will be in trouble for that photograph posted. But I wanted you to see, how huge the sunflowers are. Especially the extra tall one, in full bloom.
How did they get so huge I ask? The stalks are mind blowing.
Some even have lots of blooms....
Amazing, what a seed can produce. Isn't it? I sort of walk around the yard in shock. I made my parents come up and take a look. And, ooooo and aaaaah, with me.
So, I have a plan that I am really excited about.
And it quite includes you, in thought and spirit, that is.
But, before I tell you, let me take you on my rounds with me, so you can see that which fills my heart - and keeps me busy and healing...
Let's go to the other side of the giant oleanders, in the main front yard, and check on growing things, shall we?
Around the oleanders, and around the bench Mister put up for me the first weekend we spent in the country together (he engraved our love initials on the back. I fell head over heels, and never left).
We come upon a pumpkin vine, and my herby shopping cart.
Surrounding the shopping cart, in the ground, are onions, tomatoes, carrots, parsley, corn and all sorts of herbs. I used burlap and soil, in my shopping cart, and it has grown herbs beautifully, for 5 years now, in case you want to try it.
The basil in the ground (below) is growing in abundance. The dill and cilantro are doing really well surrounding the basil. Wish I could give you some through the screen...
But, just look at what is growing on that pumpkin vine I showed you above...
Squeal!
My first pumpkins of my life.
I am in shock actually. I can't believe they grew, oh blessed be!
Now, let's see if they survive the creatures who want to gobble them up.
Across the way, from the shopping cart planter and the pumpkin vine surrounding it, is my bigger pumpkin vine area.
A little pumpkin patch, if you will...
There are birdhouse gourds and squash growing in there too, amongst the pumpkins. Next time, I won't put them so close, although, I guess I don't mind the cross pollination, since I am only doing this for fun. And, the pumpkins are already growing and the gourds are barely being pollinated.
Would you like to take a close peek? Please say yes ;)
Let me bore you to death, won't you?
Oh yay! I hoped you would say yes.
Look closer, won't you?
Halloween. Can you feel it?
3 months, or so.
Oh oh, and look over there...
Oh, and did you peek in there?
Oh, and maybe that one got pollinated too?
I help them when I can, but the bees are doing a good job...
Oh and another one...
Okay, I promise not to show you a photo of every single growing thing, but it is exciting, isn't it?
I'll tell you what, on this side of the garden, there have been huge growing sunflowers also, which make my not so secret plan possible...
Let's finish our rounds, and I shall spill the beans.
Back to the other side of the big oleanders, past the gypsy garden and the garden bath...
Oh look, more pumpkins from the seeds inside of store bought pumpkins, that I plopped into the ground. Isn't that fun? My store bought pumpkins lasted until late Spring, did yours?
Up the tree they go...
Oh, and sky high cosmos, from seed too. Aren't they peaceful little guys?
Oh and, I have no idea what these white flowers are. They looked like pearls at first, then opened into tiny pretty little things...
And, from that same box of cottage seed I told you about a few posts ago, oodles of Black-Eyed Susans...
And so, amongst all the hard work and watering and heat heat heat in my garden, there is goodness to share.
Because...
There is a sunflower waiting for you.
A sunflower that grew while Baby was amongst us.
A sunflower that looked upon our little home.
A sunflower that has many beautiful seeds, ready to be planted...
Last year, I planted sunflowers at this time (it is very warm here until early November), and they lasted through fall.
So, for you...
I shall plant a grove of sunflowers.
Sunflowers for luck.
Sunflowers for love.
Sunflowers to heal the soul.
Sunflowers, in thanks.
A sunflower for each of you who has been so kind and supportive during this healing time, and shared such tender words. They aid me so, when those deep sad pangs visit.
Sunflowers, to warm your heart in thought.
Just know that somewhere, in a bizarre Arizona, there is a sunflower growing with your name on it. Filled with all the goodness it can muster, and more.
Let's watch them grow, and heck, you might even spot yours and name it ;)
Today I dropped little Matty off, for a little surgical procedure. 6 a.m. getting ready, and me, tossing and turning last night. I am one restless furry mammie. But, thinking about sunflowers, which I will start to plant this weekend, with you in mind, sounds like the perfect thing - yes yes indeed...
(phone rings)
Time to go pick up our wee boy from the animal hospital.
No time to spell check or edit, forgive the typos please ;)
Love, from our tiny house to you.
