Sunday, March 21, 2010

Hello Spring!

























Ahhhhh Spring. It is so good to see you again!

Over the past week spring has finally sprung here in the Greenville, SC area. Flowers are blooming, trees are in blossom and temperatures have been in the mid-seventies most days. After the unusually cold and snowy winter, we are loving the explosion of colors and return to outdoor activities.

Over the past few days Deb & I have spent time helping my Dad complete the construction and planting of a 6'x40' raised-bed garden. We started this project several weeks ago, but cool and rainy weather delayed final completion longer than anticipated. The first crop of lettuce, radishes, beets, onions, red cabbage, carrots, peas and potatoes are in the ground and doing well. If the weather continues to cooperate, we should be able to harvest a first cutting of tender lettuce leaves within the next few weeks. Although the heavy physical activity reminded our bodies that we spent too much time on our butts over the past three months, we loved working on this project. There's nothing better than getting your hands in the dirt and planting a garden to make one feel that winter is definitely gone.

The garden is the latest addition to the landscaping on a dental clinic property my father has tended for the past four years. It is within short walking distance of my parents home and has become a beautiful, year-round showcase of every flower and ornamental plant imaginable. During the four months we have been here, we have also helped Dad add hundreds of additional planting to what is already an entire property of thousands of annuals, perennials and evergreens. At its peak over the summer months, this property is an explosion of colors that makes one glad to be alive. Since no one really likes going to the dentist, I'm sure it helps that the clinic patients have beautiful flowers to look at while they are in the dreaded dental chair. (The above pictures show the property and some of the flowers currently in bloom there.)

It is a bittersweet feeling to know that we will not be here during the coming months to see and taste the results of our labors. But, alas, the open road is beckoning us to move forward with this wondrous journey. My Mom's heart problems have stabilized and, although we love this part of the country, new horizons await. We are scheduled to leave the 3rd of next month for an extended stay in northern Florida. There is still much work to be completed on our RV Howie (House On Wheels Is Excellent) before we go, but it is exciting to anticipate new locations and experiences. We can't wait to get on the road again!

Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day. ~W. Earl Hall

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood

copyright 2009-2010 Lane A Geyer
photos by Deb

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