Meet TS and Come See the Rest of the Garden...

Monday, August 10, 2020

The Final Post

This is my last post. I haven't blogged much over the past year or so and I've decided to bring closure to what was once an important part of my life. There are simply other areas I'd rather focus on.  But the blog will remain up, a time capsule of a different life and garden. 

The sunny side of the front garden

I am deeply perceptive and intuitive and there’s a lot to be said for allowing life to become very quiet so you can listen to your own voice. I have but one shot at this life and choose to live it as courageously, passionately, and authentically as possible. There is nothing small about choosing happiness and always seeing the beauty in a world that is simultaneously glorious, absurd, and cruel. 



Spigelia marylandica and euphorbia 'Ascot's Rainbow' in the front shade garden
The shady side of the front garden


Cimicifuga and Solomon's Seal thrive under a huge cherry tree 

For all our differences, at the end of the day we all want the same thing: to be understood, to feel a sense of connection, and to be heard and valued. Blogging was a way to help me meet and connect with other gardeners. Reading your blogs gave me a chance to see your gardens and your lives through your eyes.  If you surround yourself with an echo you never hear anything new and the more I read, the more I learned. You find out who people really are when they have to understand a situation from a perspective that challenges them and makes them uncomfortable. Their response reveals the heart of who they are.  

Hydrangeas were already here when I moved in. I had stone terraces built on a slope covered with thick surface roots from a 60 ft maple and filled them with perennials and shrubs.
Campanula thrives along the well drained edge of the terraces. 

Kalimeris and 'Rozanne' geraniums

I loved seeing all the different ways we created beauty and solved our garden problems and interacting with people who embraced the collective idea that there was no single right way to do anything. Seeing the world through another’s eyes creates an open mind because if you’re not willing to set aside every preconceived idea about how a life should be lived or a garden created then the only mind you’re open to is your own. Thank you for inviting me in and for being there when I needed you. 


'Etoille Violet' clematis saved from my other garden.

Looking into the back garden from the meadow on the side of the house

I remain a relentless optimist. The world’s in the shitter and our president’s an idiot of epic proportions but I’m convinced change is coming. In some places, it's already here. I spent quarantine learning how to teach virtually after teaching in person for 20 years. My coworkers are also close friends and we stayed in daily contact as we navigated our new normal. I will spend this fall and possibly longer coming to work in the skirts and heels I love so much and live streaming my lessons from an empty classroom. 


The meadow I planted last fall has been a raging success!


With this I say goodbye. There is a garden to enjoy, rivers and lakes to kayak, back roads to explore, bread to bake, and music, always music, to dance to. 


Many of the plants in my garden are grown from seed. 
Rudbeckia 'Sahara' is one of my favorites.



I filled my driveway with pots and created a lush container garden. 

60 comments:

  1. Lovely farewell. I enjoyed your blog very much!

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  2. For your next journey, Bon voyage! Your garden is beautiful and I’m sure is still a joy, Tammy. Glad to have met you through blogging.

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    1. Thanks, Helen. So glad to have met you, too! I'm glad I still get to enjoy your humor through Facebook. :o)

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  3. Will miss your voice in my heD as I enjoy your inspiring photos. Leave us bread crumbs to follow.

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    1. I was a voice in your head? Wow! I blogged for 10 years so there's lot of reading material here. This is the end of the road for me. My heart just isn't in it anymore so it's time to go. I'd rather bow out gracefully and give my thanks to the wonderful blogging community than just disappear. Plus, I didn't want anyone to think I'd died of covid.

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  4. Have a wonderful time dancing, teaching, gardening and exploring. Your garden looks wonderful!

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    1. Thanks, Gail! Having a wonderful time is always the plan. :o)

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  5. Not sure if what I just wrote went through or not. If not, just know I said I will miss you my friend. Hugs.

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    1. Hugs to you, too, my friend. I still remember how cool it was to meet you at my first Fling. I used to live in SC and one of my best friends still lives there. On my next trip down, we need to plan to meet! That would be a blast!

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  6. Good for you, doing what feels right. I am so thankful I was able to attend the DC Fling and see your old garden and get a taste of what gardening is like in your part of the world. Best wishes...have fun and be safe!

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    1. Thanks, Loree. This does feel right. It took a while to decide if this was what I really wanted to do and it is. I'm so glad I was able to be a part of the Flings while still blogging with passion.

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  7. Thanks for the chance to come along for the last few years, and I'm glad to see the new garden up and running! I've been missing and will miss the regular posts but it's all good and all the best on your next adventure :)

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    1. Thanks, Bittster! I love my new garden and enjoy that its smaller size means more time just soaking it in and less time maintaining it.

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  8. You will be missed. I often come to your blog to be inspired, to dream of what I can someday do at our little piece of heaven, when I'm there full time and can focus on that. Your pictures of your flower gardens amaze me. It's exactly what I'd love to have. Someday. Please leave your blog up, so much valuable info and as I said, inspiration for others. Enjoy life, stay safe and let's start the change on November 3rd. Peace and hugs to you.

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    1. Thanks so much! That really makes me feel good. I think we're in for a big change this November and it can't come fast enough. The last four years have been surreal. Peace and hugs to you, too!

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  9. To everything there is a season. Thanks for saying farewell, and I wish you well with your next adventures, whatever they may be. I'm glad you've been a part of the blogging community, not least because you put on a kick-ass Fling for us! Pam/Digging: penick.net

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    1. The DC Fling was a kick ass Fling, indeed! I'm very proud to have been a part of it. I still love and read blogs. My writing and creativity are just being poured into a different part of my life.

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  10. I'm sorry to hear you say goodbye, Tammy, even though I'd seen that you were heading along a different path. Thank you for your honesty, your entertaining and educational posts, your friendship, and the wonderful DC Fling. Thanks for sharing your beautiful new garden too. I will think of you whenever the naked ladies appear in my garden - they've bloomed abundantly this year! Enjoy your journey and should your path ever lead to Southern California, know you'll be welcome to stop in for a visit.

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    1. Thanks, Kris. I have a few naked ladies in my garden that were already here when I moved in and I love them! My family is from CA and if I go back and am in the LA area, you'll definitely hear from me! I'll still be visiting blogs, just not blogging.

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  11. Farewell Tammy! I hope the road ahead is Just as exciting and rewarding as you want it to be. Thank you for blogging these past years, and for bringing me back to my old stomping grounds for the DC Fling. Happy trails!

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  12. You certainly whipped this garden into shape Tammy. I enjoyed every minute you chose to share your garden and life with us. Be well be happy, have a great life.

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  13. I will miss you and your beautiful blog....your words were always an inspiration. I haven't been blogging much in the last few years and am still undecided as to what my path will be. But regardless, I know I feel many of the same sentiments you expressed here. I wish you good luck, smooth sailing and tons of FUN Tammy as you live your life to its fullest!!!

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Living life to its fullest is always the plan and being happy and having fun should never be underrated.

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  14. My very warmest and best wishes to you T. Your seed starting and meadow making inspired me! Jenni

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  15. I have enjoyed reading your blog and seeing all of your gardening for quite a while. I'm going to miss your blog. Thank you for leaving it up. Take care, and don't hesitate to start posting again if the mood strikes you.

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    1. Thanks, Susie! It will definitely stay up. There are 10 years of my life on this page!

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  16. Thank you for sharing your garden. I love how all the plants just fill the space. Working on getting mine that way. Take care and stay well. Glad your site will stay up so we can still see your beautiful photos.

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    1. Thanks! This garden has come together so easily and I love that I have no grass.

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  17. Wow..just wow. Glad I know where to find you. Life is short...savor the moments wisely.
    Much love and understanding...

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    1. I knew this would resonate with you. Looking forward to seeing you again. :o)

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  18. Ahhhh, so sad to see you go, maybe post once in a while? If not, I wish you the very best of everything, happiness and good health. It's always been a pleasure visiting, your new garden is an utter triumph, but I wouldn't expect anything less from you.
    Good luck with all your ventures, take good care of you. Hugs.xxxx

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    1. Thanks, Dina! I'll be around to read your fabulous blog! It's one of my favorites. I do love my new garden and feel blessed to be in this new space.

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  19. I've so enjoyed reading your blog and meeting you at the DC fling. It seems like you made yourself a little paradise with your new garden - I hope it brings peace of mind. We could all use that these days.

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    1. It was great to meet you, too, Sarah! My house and garden are a very happy, peaceful place and that resonates through out my life. The world has become so bizarre that we all need as much peace of mind as we can manage.

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  20. Tammy, your blog has been such an inspiration to me and I will miss your outlook on life, passion for plants, and your can-do attitude. While I've not commented lately, I've always sought out your posts. Be safe, be well, be happy. Hope to see you on the 'other side' of the vote. Kris

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    1. Kris of Melissa Majora Honeybee Sanctuary....

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    2. Thanks, Kris! I definitely have a can-do attitude and I'm happy that's made a positive impact on you. Life knocks me down sometimes but I get right back up, wiser for the experience. Everything is a learning opportunity and how you move forward is bigger than whatever held you back. I can hardly wait to get the Idiot in Chief out of the White House. Best wishes to you, too!

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  21. Tammy girl .. I want to say "Please say it isn't true !!" .. but alas I know it is, and of course you have to do what is best for YOU .. I'm so sorry not to have your blog to read with it's incredible sarcastic, witty, sense of humour .. Maybe you should consider a whole NEW blog ? ... you know you are never supposed to say NEVER don't you ? LOL
    I feel for you and all your sensible, logical, fellow Americans, who have to pass this immensely difficult stage in it's history.
    To have a completely corrupt (intellectually inept) con-artist enabled by a likewise party of sycophants and cult followers seemed impossible a few years ago but it only goes to show ANYTHING is indeed possible.
    Yet ? it is such a bucket of cold water over the head, learning tool, to NEVER take your democracy for granted, ever again, if such a creature and his minions can hold the reins of power for any length of time ? again anything is possible.
    The world is watching .. Canada is cringing .. waiting to see what happens, and to keep ourselves safe from what ever the fall out may be.
    I wish only the best for you and your country .. right has to triumph over such incredible wrong at some point, by mathematical odds alone ? Fingers crossed on all fronts.
    Take good care of yourself and enjoy your life to the fullest possible ! Hugs from a Canadian blogging friend ;-)

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by! Ending my blog is bittersweet but it's a decision I'm at peace with so it's time to leave the party. I'm still a smartass, a writer, a philosophizer, and a lover of life. You'll still see me pop up in your comments. I'm just done posting about my garden.

      As for our country, going from Obama to Trump was like going from heaven to hell. I'm very liberal but have a few close Republican friends and even they're horrified. How someone treats other people is a benchmark of their character and Trump is an asshat while Obama was a gentleman. But people who may have never run for office have been elected across the country, more women and minorities are now in political leadership positions, and activism is alive and well, which is the silver lining in a bullshit sundae. Lots of hugs from me to you and stay healthy!

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  22. Thank you for all you shared (and for leaving your blog open so that I can gaze upon your gardens). I truly enjoyed your rampant optimism, wonderful writing and all the beauty you created. Onward and upward, as they say - have a totally amazing journey! xo

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    1. Thanks, Susan and thanks so much for stopping by! My focus right now is almost completely on my classroom as teachers across the country are heading into uncharted waters with virtual learning. It's not just about academics but all the interpersonal needs that are met at school for our kids that are being lost and it's a challenge to get the kids to attend if their parents are working and then to keep them engaged. It's also hard for teachers, who tend to be social, nurturing people, especially for my grade level, to work in isolation outside of our communities. Zoom isn't the same thing as being together in person but this too shall pass and I'm lucky to work with a group of phenomenal teachers who are all very close.

      It's up to me to make my journey amazing and that fits with my outlook on life, anyway. I don't believe there's a heaven or hell but what we create here on Earth and my goal is to make this life as beautiful as possible. Other doors are opening and it's time to see what's on the other side.

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  23. Good luck, Tammy! Your garden is gorgeous but that's just what I would expect. I hope that we meet again, one way or another!

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    1. Thanks, Jason! I do hope our paths cross again. You are in thoughts!

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  24. Hi Tammy, I'm sad to read your last post but I'm happy for the smiles, laughs and beautiful pictures that it gave me. I'm so glad I got the chance to meet you too, here in my garden, and hope to see you again one day soon. I'll miss your crazy antics with indoor seed sowing, the gorgeous pictures of borders brimming with flowers and the cussing when things don't go to plan. Good luck and best wishes with whatever you set your mind to next and I hope I'll see you around. Lots of love and hugs. Sx

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  25. Thanks, Sunil! I had to cancel my trip to England this summer but am already making plans for next year so expect to see me again. I still cuss when things don't go to plan! It doesn't change anything but sometimes it makes me feel better. LOL!

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  26. Thank you for sharing your adventure. My favorite people are teachers.

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    1. You're welcome! Teachers are my favorite people, too. :o)

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  27. So sorry to hear this and I wish you the best. I also agree with everything you said! Blogging seems harder these days but I press on. The sense of community is certainly not there like it used to be.

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    1. I think the heyday of blogging might be over and people have moved on to other mediums. I wish you the best, too.

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  28. Enjoyed your humor and love of gardening Tammy. I to have been doing very little blogging. My new love is fishing, so that is trending in my life as well as semi-retiredness. ha. You are special, hope to keep in touch. Greggo,

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    1. Thanks, Greg! I appreciate your kindness! I'll still be popping up on blogs to comment, I'm just done posting new content on mine. Happy fishing!

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  29. I will miss you & your humour, Tammy! And what you have done with your garden - amazing! This year has forced us to wake up, so to speak. It has changed many of us and priorities are being re-examined (and changing for the better)...this is the proverbial silver lining in an otherwise crappy year. I'm glad that you have found your "good place". XOXO

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    1. Thanks, Margaret! I am, indeed, in a very good place and ready to move on from blogging. You'll see me on your blog and instagram!

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  30. Thank you for the beauty you're shared.

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  31. Thank you and Good Bye! All the Best to you!

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