DON’T RUSH … SMELL THE FLOWERS
Editor’s Note. After far too long an absence, Noy is back with us to grace these pages with her sense of wonder, and her ability to describe her daily experience from her home in Australia’s Sunshine Coast. While Noy’s writing style is unorthodox, she captures her experiences to share with us all. To say I am honored to have Noy’s work appear in Beautiful Summer Morning is an understatement. Please enjoy this new excerpt from The Beautiful Summer Morning Diary of Noy.
Don’t Rush… Smell The Flowers
I was playing with my dog in the backyard and I noticed that she lost her tennis ball. We both looked around, in the side and the far end of the garden. Still no ball. I saw some dried leaves and fallen old branches sprawled behind the trees and overgrown bushes. Not included in the plan, I decided to do a bit of clearing in the garden. In about fifteen minute’s time, the garden looked more decent … and happier. Eureka! Of course, I found my dog’s ball sitting under one of the piled-up dried branches. And guess what I did further find out? Some few dozen multi-colored gerberas (daisy-looking perennials with longer and slimmer petals). All seemingly thankful, smiling at me. “Thanks for finding time to let us out … of our hideaway!” It was a real surprise finding them, still alive and happily showing off their pretty blooms. I haven’t seen these flowers for quite some time (years, to be exact!). And it really gave me a wonderful feeling seeing them still in existence – healthy and bubbly.
I felt so eager and more enthusiastic to do few more light garden duties. The next that I did was go over my half-abandoned anthuriums Viagra Jelly sitting at the middle of our outdoor table, under the back verandah. Took out dried stems and spent petals. Reconditioned the soil from its pot and let the whole pot and plant soaked for an hour in a big pail of water. I could already saw that it brightened up – the anthuriums’ blooms (dark shiny heart-shaped flower with a yellowish pistil at the middle) seemed to also be rejoicing of its new-found nourishment. It now looks bright and brilliant … and flourishing.
This made me more motivated to go around and further investigate. Went along the perimeter of the yard and kept grooming the rest of the plants around. I made all the greens and blooms a real happy brood. I learned to appreciate more the individuality and exciting life pattern of each of them – variation of palms (east-west, raphis, golden cane, alexandria, betel nut, fish tails, fox tails). Sheltered under these palms are bromeliads, heliconias, few more dwarf palms, cycads, and other mixture of short hedges. Not to be outdone is my jasmine climbers adorning the fence with its dainty white and pink floret are alternately planted along with other creepers, the star jasmine which flaunts its star-like tiny white blooms. In the other side of the yard are few citrus trees planted few meters away from each other, standing like soldiers – pompously showing off their marble-sized buds.
Still feeling all the energy to swing around, proceeded to the front yard and underwent the same procedure – of clearing and cleaning up worn-out twigs and leaves. Extra clearing paved more ways for inhibited perennials to have a peek from its hideaway. I was delighted to have found more dozens of gerberas … in full swing. Few dried banana leaves and overgrown red-flowered hibiscus had taken over and dominated my poor frangipani tree (it’s got sweet scented white and yellowish flower). Few more pink hibiscus and red cannas (similar to the birds-of-paradise plant). They needed extra attention. Did some little trimming.
I had just proven to myself that such activity is not a chore at all. Just merely going over dried and light branches was actually fun (I purpose left the heavy task for the gardener to attend to). I did prune the azaleas (pink and red blooms), organized the track of my climbing hoyas (tiny pink-colored flowers in clusters), and trimmed down the geisha girl bushes (with light purple flowers at the tips of its long pliant branches). The china pink bushes (with its dark pink foliage at its tips, finished with fuchsia colored dainty flowers) look so majestic. I didn’t realize that the few grevilleas scattered around have almost the same fuchsia-pink blooms at which the drooping ends are almost kissing these china pink bushes. It is really enthralling to watch it … I even noticed some bees hovering around it, savoring some manna for the day. We never run out of dozens of birds hopping from one grevillea tree to another. These trees are the birds delight, their paradise. I always enjoy watching the rainbow lorikeet (rainbow-colored, as its name implies) feasting on these trees each day. Its flowers never seem to run out of nectar. It’s a real joy to watch them. They seem to be so happy to sing out their find.
Managed to give a good grooming to my potted plants. There are some few kalanchoas and bay leaves. Along with some chili bushes (jalapenos, jabaneeros, Jamaican bells and “diablos”).
The real “icing on the cake” is my gardenias. As I just finished romancing my box, this favorite bloom of mine was the perfect dessert of the day. “Don’t rush … smell the flowers”. And I did, of course. I never have thought that its scent is real exquisite. It’s just divine! I could still smell it now. I took a good amount of time to go linger around and do some more final touches.
Marching with my dog back and forth – she was the general, I was her corporal. She was just as happy to sniff around and investigate. One happy dog. One happy master. And one happy garden. I finally came into conclusion that my garden is not that bad, at all. All because I found time to notice it, didn’t rush and found time to smell the flowers. I couldn’t believe that this was the garden I tried to personally landscape (with zero knowledge of gardening … not even a green thumb!). And this was the turnout, although it still does need a little bit more of attending.
I remember when we moved here, a decade-and-a-half ago. There were only few native trees standing in the front. With a little bit of perseverance (few garden books, friends’ help and neighbor’s assistance), I was able to come up with a tropical garden. Designed to my liking – a dominance of pure lush and green, sprinkled sparingly with multi-colored blooms (serving as ice-breakers). My next agenda is to have the guy prune the overgrown trees (lily pillies, Brazilian cherries, eucalyptus trees, etc.) by the end of spring. They’re all shooting up high to the skies and need some good trimming for bountiful growth by spring next year.
A spring that is. A season of life, of vibrancy and color. And I made a promise to myself not to rush … but to look more closely around … to stop and smell the flowers. Life cannot be enjoyed in haste. We have to savor what is on offer for the day, make the most of it, and marvel on the exciting things that come after. On this happy note, let’s all be reminded to take things in stride. Enjoy the NOW and have a beautiful summer morning!
Keep smiling….. I am,
NOY
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Nick
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I enjoyed your gardening article Noy. You have a gift for creating a mood. I walked with you around the garden as you cleaned and refreshed and made discoveries.
Thank You.
Hi Salina,
Thanks for the comments, I am sure Noy will be thrilled. I will make sure she sees them.
And Please drop by to comment again.
Nick
Hi there Salina,
Thanks a lot for your inspiring lines. It always gives me a sense of “belonging” each time I get such comments. Boosts my spirits and makes me more enthusiastic to get my thoughts gathered; and share such simple but wonderful experiences to all of you.
I hope to be around much longer and walk with you, within and outside the garden – we’ll try to discover more ….
Regards and please stay tuned.
Noy