WRITE, EDIT, PUBLISH
Denise and Yolanda: Welcome to Write…Edit…Publish (WEP), the home of the permanent bloghop. You are welcome to submit any of the following – flash fiction, poetry, non-fiction or playscripts to a designated word count– artwork and photographs welcome. Open to all genres! Fiction – Adult, YA, MG.
The Gardens prompt is all about creativity. What picture comes to mind when you hear the word ‘garden’ – the spectacular beauty of carefully landscaped tiers – the fresh delights of a new snowfall on frozen branches – or the haunting beauty of shadows and wilted plants at dusk on a fall night.
Feather Stone: “Welcome to my garden characters.”
Gardens invite more than simply quiet contemplation. Being a writer, I have discovered that I’m very conscious of the ‘character’ of each plant, where it should be placed, ensuring its special qualities add beauty to its companions – and vice versa.
I’ve noted that any plant, even small non-blooming shrubs look spectacular when accompanied by contrasting foliage, bird bath, or interesting rockery – the key is contrast in color, texture, shape, and/or ‘mood.’ The secondary characters in my writing play a vital role in making the main characters glow with unforgettable brilliance. It stands to reason that even ‘also ran’ characters in a scene require special attention to shaping their personality, stature, reputation, etc.
Thank you for visiting my garden. It would be so special if we could physically pop into everyone’s garden for a chat today, and share each other’s wisdom and experiences. Even so, these virtual friendship are wonderful, meeting so many amazing people from places I could never visit. Blessings to all.
Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.
– Alfred Austin
Gardening is medicine that does not need
a prescription … And with no limit on dosage.
– Author unknown
A garden always gives back more than it receives.
– Mara Beamish
The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic,
always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing
something better than they have ever done before.
– Vita Sackville-West, 1892 – 1962
He who cultivates a garden, and brings to perfection flowers and fruits
cultivates and advances at the same time his own nature.
– Ezra Weston, 1845
Gardens are not created or made, they unfold, spiraling open
like the silk petals of an evening primrose flower to reveal the
ground plot of the mind and heart of the gardener
and the good earth.
– Wendy Johnson, Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, 2000
A garden is the mirror of a mind. It is a place of life, a mystery of green
moving to the pulse of the year, and pressing on and pausing the whole
to its own inherent rhythms.
– Henry Beston, 1935, Herbs and the Earth
One of the most delightful things about a garden
is the anticipation it provides.
– W. E. Johns
When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow,
but the gardeners themselves.
– Ken Druse
You’ll enjoy meeting the many other great gardeners participating in this WEP blog hop.
http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2016/08/wepff-wep-flash-fiction-gardens.html
Romance Under Fire 
Nice post. I’m intrigued, there are so many plants here I can’t name. Of course I recognise the alyssum at the bottom and the pink and red phlox.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your garden. It does have a lot of personality.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great analogy between a garden and secondary characters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden photos are fantastic. I believe contrast brings life to all the characters in our novels. What is that terrible jest: evil makes good look better. 🙂 My mother’s garden was beautiful, and I took pride in all the digging and upkeep I did on it. My aching body was not so fond of it though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can relate on the aching body bit. As the years have rolled on, I’ve had to bow to the need for moderation in my gardening. I suppose the day will come when I have to be satisfied with tending to a pot on my front steps, and feel the joy in remembering the days of digging, even in the dark. Thanks for stopping by, Roland. Blessings.
LikeLike
I couldn’t agree with you more. I love your special place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is beautiful and I love the quote, Gardening is medicine that does not need
a prescription … And with no limit on dosage. This quote is so true. Thank you for sharing.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, very uplifting. And the photos are marvelous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is sublime. I would love to spend time in it, absorbing the colours, the textures, the fragrance.
And would like to add another quote
If you have a garden and a library,
You have everything you need.
(Cicero)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I so love your quote. Thank you.
Blessings
LikeLike
Beautiful words and images. My new garden is so small, but it shall grow. Downsizing includes the gardens, but I can still enjoy creating beauty in smaller places. I love the colour and hardiness of geraniums -red, coral, and mixed. My gardens tend to highlight containers, placing arrangements, and the colours which blend. I have grown herbs, veggies, old fashioned flowers like peonies, hollyhocks, and dahlias, also marigolds, mini-roses, Shasta daisies and California Lilac. I love gardens and working the dirt to bring forth new growth. Very much enjoyed the lovely entrance way garden you featured!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like I just stepped into your garden. Wonderful. Blessings
LikeLike
Truly lovely garden…. Your Peony is SPECTACULAR!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s my favorite flower in my garden. Each year, I look forward to its blossoms. The petals are so soft and lush. I like to immerse my face into the petals and inhale. It’s almost an erotic experience, LOL.
Blessings
LikeLike
I like the way you describe gardens as characters. I also enjoyed the many quotes you shared but the Wendy Johnson one is my favorite. You have a lovely and varied garden. Very nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Toi. My garden is my escape. When the world becomes too much, my garden becomes a sanctuary where nothing and no one can find me.
Blessings
LikeLike
How lucky are you, such an amazing place. I know minus all the work, but it’s the work that makes us appreciate it so much, isn’t it! Such a wonderful journey, now we can sit, visit, and compose, well, in our minds, but you actually get to. Lovely, truly lovely!
Thank you for sharing for the WEP Gardens Challenge! This challenge the entries have been like no other!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the “work that makes us appreciate it so much.” Just like us authors. We appreciate the work of other authors so much more than readers can comprehend. Thank you, Yolanda. Blessings
LikeLiked by 1 person
How lovely to meet you, Judy Weir. This is a visual treat. It’s been so interesting to see the varieties of gardens in this blog hop … and I’ve met some new people.
I especially love this line “ground plot of the mind and heart of the gardener” that radiates in all directions, embracing all life on the planet.
Thank you for sharing.
ann @ annbestlifestories.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by. Yes, the WEP blog hops are truly special and fun. Everyone is talented, each in their unique way. Blessings
LikeLike
Hi Judy! This is so beautiful. Gardens are awesome. I’m a bit nervous about the quote: Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are…Mine is looking a bit raggedy at the mo’, but I have a perfect garden in my head!!
Thank you for joining us at WEP this month!! And I love your comment: ‘It would be so special if we could physically pop into everyone’s garden for a chat today, and share each other’s wisdom and experiences.’ That is spot on!
Denise 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yes I know what you mean about a garden that seems “raggedy.” As fall approaches I wince at my garden’s ageing, looking tired and in disarray. I’m learning to see it in a new way – see the beauty in the warm colors and the textures of straw and paper, even worn leather. It’s a time of letting go, of going deep into the consciousness to create something new in its shadow. And, it’s a reflection of me, growing old, maturing, accepting that beauty is in the past; and joyful anticipation of returning to my source. Blessings, Denise.
LikeLike
And so i forgot to say thank you for those glorious photos of plants. That rose is one of the most beautiful shots I’ve ever seen!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s actually a peony. Of all my flowers, I wait throughout the winter with great anticipation for the day I can immerse my face into the soft petals and inhale its glorious fragrance. What it does for me in that moment is beyond words.
Thank you, Denise.
LikeLike
Oh what a lovely garden you have. The pictures are beautiful and I love the quotes as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by Sally. I think I work hard in my garden for my pleasure. In fact, I also do it for the people who pass by and stop to admire it. Sometimes we engage in a brief conversation, spurred on by the feeling of safety and joining of souls. Blessings
LikeLike
Those were awesome, the flowers and the quotes. I do wish I could just sit in any of those gardens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Judy – I loved the quotes … just so true about gardens and gardening. We garden for pleasure but love being complimented … so true. Gorgeous array of plantings and plants you’ve got there – that peony is fantastical … wonderful and I love the phlox … well all of them! Cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by my ‘garden’, Hilary. I tried looking for your garden but had no success.
LikeLike