Skywatch Friday: Cheatin' with Summer Skies, Grateful for Gardening Friends...

A brief post for today, because I'm having an ill spell and am actually writing this in the middle of the night during the insomnia session that goes along. Since March came upon our shores, we haven't seen the sun, nor the moon for that matter. A full moon came and went but other than a lighter shade of pale in the clouds one night, we wouldn't have known. Such weather is tiresome, typical, and shared by others across the northern latitudes, so I thought a summer sunset might make us all feel better for this Skywatch Friday.


It's really hard for me to do my work-writing when I'm dealing with one of these illness sessions, so I do things that need doing but have been put off. Like tidying my paperwork and finding the top of my desk and tables in my office. One thing led to another, as so often happens, and I had some things to put in a special memory box of letters, cards, and other treasures. I spied my bundle of delightful treasures from last year's Gardening by Letter project, and had to look at them again, as I hadn't had them out for a while. I always seem to bring them out when I'm having a rough patch, as they arrived here last year while I was in the midst of some challenges, and they lifted my heart immeasurably then. They still do that now.

As I wrote last year, I've never met any of my gardening blogger friends face to face, and while I hope to get to Buffalo this year, we'll see how my other obligations go. However, when I talk of my gardening friends, I am often referring to friends such as these; people I've yet to meet, or haven't even talked to on the telephone, yet who I consider friends thanks to the joys of the Internet. You all give so much, and you have no idea how much you're a joy and encouragement across the miles. You're like a spring day in my heart. A real spring day, not these tiresome grey interminably cold with sideways-snow days.


And dearest Anna, thank you again for having hosted the Gardening By Letter project. Like this project, you're a priceless, joyful gift across the miles.

That's it for today, friends. Y'all come on back tomorrow, please, because it'll be time for the next Saturday Spotlight.

Bloomingwriter's awesome Mail Call: Gardening friends across the miles

In talking to my long suffering spouse on Wednesday or Thursday evening, I heard something that made my heart leap. "You've got a parcel from the US," he said. I could hardly wait to get home on Friday afternoon. 

First, there was Anna's lovely card and apron, thoughtfully made with the cat-children in mind as well as the gardener. 

Then there were the letters and cards...normally, my snailmail consists of bills, advertorials, and of course the occasional snailmail letter or card, except at Christmas when we get quite a few more cards. 

This felt like Christmas before I even started opening them. 

I'm a wordsmith and plant person. I don't do needlework or paint or draw or scrapbook, lacking the time or creativity in that direction. I deeply, deeply love and admire those abilities in others. 

You know, I've never met any of my gardening blogging friends face to face, and while I had thought I would do in Chicago, it's not to be this year. But when I talk of friends, I refer to friends such as these; people I've yet to meet, or in most cases even talk to on the phone. 



Yet were they to turn up at my door--or I at theirs--there would be no awkward pauses, no hesitations. There would be hugs (and vetting by cats, in many cases), and tea or coffee andfood and much plant talk and swap and even much more laughter and friendship. 

That's what opening these cards and letters was like; 'meeting' friends old and new (because some are longtime correspondents and fellow bloggers, others newer to us) and having conversations across the miles. 

Like Gail wrote last week to so many accolades last week (including mine)...I am so very fortunate--blessed, even! In the people who share my life, who share the love of gardening and plants and writing, in where I live (the snow is GONE, Anna, all of it, except in the woods!) 

So to Anna (FlowergardenGirl), the fabulous organizer of this fun, and to Jen@ Muddy Boot Dreams, Catherine @ A Gardener in Progress, Ann @ Northeast Gardener, Jared @ Pleasant Hill Ramblings, VP @ Veg Plotting, Kathleen @ Kasey's Korner, Phillip @ Gardens of a Golden Afternoon, Peggy @ Organic Growing Pains, Jan @ Thanks for 2Day, and Kylee @ Our Little Acre...much love and gazillions of thanks across the miles to each of you for your creativity and thoughtfulness. 

I will be writing to each of you individually, but...the sun is out, it's not freezing, and the garden is calling my name!