The Gayla Pink Apple
Her garden is breathtakingly beautiful. It's like walking in a true Southern garden you expect to see in Charleston, SC. Take a stroll through her garden and you're walking from one garden room to another, with anticipation of what will be at the next turn or gate. It's truly spectacular. Sitting in her screened in porch with a glass of ice water, with freshly squeezed lime juice, this morning was indeed a delight and a great way to start my day...
This morning I visited a friend from my Garden Club Council days. Jeanne hired me as the Executive Director for the Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs (LRCGC) years ago. After about seven years there, I moved on and we sort of lost touch. We would run into each other in Kroger or a local restaurant, but we didn't talk on the telephone or have lunch, etc. Her garden was open to the public as part of the Garden Tour this year - just a couple weekends ago. That's the Little Rock Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. annual Spring Garden Tour held each year in June - the organization's yearly major fundraiser.
The focal point in Jeanne's garden
Jeanne was the President of the small non profit organization and a leader indeed she is. I recently ran into her at the Neighborhood Market. She was talking on her cell phone so I just smiled and walked on. I miss Jeanne and after seeing her, she was on my mind a lot the following week or so.
When someone is on your mind, I think that's a sign that you need to give that person a call and catch up. So, earlier in the week, that's exactly what I did. We picked up chatting as though there hadn't been a 6 or 7 year span of time missing between our chats. I am always entertained by Jeanne's stories - usually very Southern Charleston type garden stories - or very Southern inspired entertaining she loves to do - as well as some wonderful Greek dinners she hosts.
Jeanne and her husband, Dan
During my association with Jeanne and the LRCGC, I was inspired to be proud of being from the South - living in Arkansas - and my Southern ways and ideas. She was always an inspiration for me to take ownership of the things and ideas I loved and cherished. I never felt an apology was warranted for being who I am. I doubt Jeanne ever realized it - but, that's what I took from her during my time seeing her often and talking with her almost daily.
After seeing her garden this morning - a true garden -- well, my little start of gardening in my backyard is kind of a joke. I am not even sure you can call what I've been working on a garden. Frankly, when I got back home I was a little thrown off with all the hard work I've done. I don't want to embarrass myself for NOT putting together anything remotely as wonderful as what Jeanne had created in her yard.
Then I realized - hey - this is my yard - this is my garden - this is my sweat and tears - my back breaking and wobbly legs which put my garden together. So what if I don't have perfectly designed garden spaces aka garden rooms. Heck, I have one big open room. Isn't that what everyone wants these days in a home - big open floorplans? Or, perhaps it's a loft! My garden could be a loft garden where a big open floorplan offers a feeling of openness with defined areas for specific purposes. Yeah, that's it! My backyard garden is one big open floorplan instead of individual winding garden rooms with anticipation of what's around the next turn, path, or gate.
Whew, now I feel better. Afterall, didn't Jeanne inspire me to take ownership of who I am and not apologize for the things I like? Yeah, she did! She even made me appreciate ivy a little more. She had ivy everywhere - but, don't be fooled. She didn't have common ivy - she has a collection of ivy - golden child ivy, baby ivy, algerian ivy, crows feet ivy, and curly ivy, just to mention a few. So, my hat's off to Jeanne for the fabulous true Southern garden she has proudly created. And, a big cheers to me for the big open floorplan I've created in my backyard too! Maybe someday I'll be motivated to create garden rooms, but for now, I'm delighted to putter in my garden great room / family room / whatever you want to call it. For me, it's becoming an enjoyable space.
Who knows, I might even plant some ivy again - but, if I do, you can bet it will be 'fancy' ivy! :)
Gayla
