MAUDE AND MY LILACS

 Jim may be the landscape architect in the family, but his mom Maude was the true gardner.  The lover of all plants and flowers.  She could make anything grow.  I think of her alot at this time of year, because when our home was new and we were always planting something, she was the one who would help me decide what to plant and where to plant it.  She loved lilacs, snowballs and peonies.  She gave me most of those plants that I have in my yard.  I have other lilacs and snowball bushes, but for some reason, Maude's are the most beautiful.  She knew what she was talking about when she told us where to plant them. 

These particular bushes are right down where I like to sit on a warm spring evening (in the years that spring comes to us).  The fragrant scent spreads across the garden.  They are big now and give a great amount of shade.  A lovely place to sit and read, or think or just relax.  What a beautiful gift that continues to give me joy year after year.  I am grateful for Maude and how she taught me about flowers, and nature and all things that are simple and good.