Possibly, but since the week before The Wedding, when we had a stretch of very hot and wet weather, the tough New Jersey weeds -- who have a very powerful union and are ruthless about muscling in where they are not wanted -- have pretty much taken over.

Avert your eyes if you are squeamish about these things.

Let's see... what is in this border?

The bleeding heart foliage is slowly yellowing, as are other spring greens.

Some of those newish annuals that look like tiny petunias are managing to eke out an existence,

and the daises up top are in bloom, although they're duking it out with some

giant spiny weedy sticky guys that I am afraid to even touch.

There are yellow daylilies in there somewhere,

and look carefully to see some geraniums gasping for air:

One geranium is doing all right, fending off its weedy neighbors.

But this poor little rose bush is surrounded by the enemy.

The hydrangeas on top of the stone wall did not do well this year.  So sad -- not enough blooms to cut for inside!

But next to the house, the goofy flat-headed hydrangea is doing respectably well,

although not up to its usual full-to-the-brim performance.

 These are among the more goofy-looking members of the hydrangea family.

 BEE!

Next to these fellows, there used to be a big, lush border of Black-eyed Susans.

Sadly, over-eager Fall cleanup help, and big clomping painters' boots this spring has made that just a memory.

Dirt, weeds, and a few scraggly plants.

I would show you what this used to look like, but you might weep.

We don't have much in the way of tomato plants this year,

but the two we do have are prolific.  And their fruit keeps ending up in the grass, half eaten.

I didn't turn this one over, but I guarantee you would find little animal teeth marks on the other side.

We have loads of ferns.

And among them, some summer stock.

Peek for the pink and you'll find it.

And speaking of summer stock -- or at least summer theater -- 

Meanwhile, I have not really made peace with the weeds, as they are not here to do good deeds,

but are intent on choking out the plants we want to thrive.  So, when the cellar project is finished

(tomorrow) and the weather turns cool enough that I can bear to wear garden gloves,

I'll pick up my sword and shield,

 Fresh paint, and soft floozy flowers.

My Reds?  My flowers!  My whites?  My Daisies, and my newly-painted-white house!

It's going to take me awhile to get used to the house being white;

I don't recognize it when I'm driving down the street.  Doh! -- Cass

As Rare as

a

Day in June

"And what is so rare as a day in June?

The, if ever, come perfect days;

Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune,

And over it softly her warm ear lays;"

"The flush of life may well be seen

Thrilling back over hills and valleys;

The cowslip startles in meadows green,

The buttercup catches the sun in its chalice,

And there's never a leaf nor a blade too mean

to be some happy creature's palace;

The little bird sits at his door in the sun,

Atilt like a blossom among the leaves, 

And lets his illumined being o'errun

With the deluge of summer it receives"

James Russell Lowell

In the June 1990 issue, Victoria Magazine celebrated

June's "jubilant spirit".

"There's a smiling summer here, which 

causes birds to sing and sets bees in motion," 

Emily Dickenson

"After a while the birds got used to me and flew right in close. That was the most marvelous and peaceful experience, and i decided I just had to learn everything I could about these wonderful creatures".

Elizabeth Clarkson

Wing Haven Gardens

A Return to Loveliness

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a special edition of 

A Return to Loveliness

~Savoring Summer~

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I will be sharing this post with these
Delightsome tea parties: