The title for this post came to me as I saw our terrier pup Teddy enjoying our new path in the garden. It has taken some time to come to pass. (Pun intended)
Getting to this jaunty place of enjoyment wasn’t easy.
Don and I had been talking about what to do with this part of our garden for some time. Before the fence, this area had become a “naturalized” part of the garden. In other words, it was full of perennials that offered much for our local deer to feast on!
Last year it became really overgrown and disheveled. Don suggested we “start over “by putting in a new aluminum fence and having a nice bed behind it that the deer couldn’t reach.
I liked the idea of a fence as a sanctuary for my plantings. The “start over” part was more daunting! In my mind I decided that a clean up was all that what was needed. So I started to move plants and divide as part of the sprucing up of this area.
The fence took a while to get set up as the wrong parts kept being sent, but by Spring we were ready!
Then Don came back from Home Depot with a new saw…. a special one for cutting concrete slabs and stone.
V “Slabs? … What for?”😑
D “For the new path!”😊
V “What new path? … I thought we were just cleaning up this bed” 😕
And then we both shared our very different visions for the space. Don’s vision was of a full path with flowers and shrubs on either side. It sounded good so I said, “Why not lay out the slabs and we’ll see what it looks like.”
I went back into my office and came out again as he shouted for me to come down and see. See what?…
D “You have to move these plants so I can put the path in” 😏
V “I’ve already moved, replanted and thrown out plants. No more!” 😠
D “But we agreed on the new path” 😬
V “So you’ll just need to put the path around the plants! Not the other way around!” 😡
D “So show me!” 😶
And I did. I laid the slabs out around the plants and then he cut them to size.
The next day we went to the garden center and decided on the additional plantings – white azaleas, hostas, geraniums and astilbes.
I’m sure there are several morals and metaphors in this story, but the one that comes to my mind is:
Be open to whatever path comes along … and be prepared to work on it!
I loved this post, Val! “Be open to whatever path comes along … and be prepared to work on it!” Amen! It looks beautiful and Teddy looks quite happy and oh so cute!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Jill! The dogs love the path too as its a shortcut to the grassy area behind the garage where mr gopher likes to hang out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, how paths open up our lives in many different ways. Another moral of your post: ‘compromise makes a good relationship even better.’ 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a good one Pam. Also, putting relationship over being right brings harmonious results.
Have a great weekend 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had to smile…… 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. Thank you 💛
LikeLike
“Be open to whatever path comes along” – sometimes it can seem so very hard, even when we know there is no choice. Is the path really anything other than the whole of possibility? I don’t know. H ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
We never know what is possible at the beginning that’s for sure. Thank you Hariod 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely! Both your account and your philosophical summary! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Paul. Glad you enjoyed both ❣
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a beautiful path you have created, Val. And the garden path is beautiful too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Smiling … Yes Mary. Thank you. It was a path that brought us closer in shared love and gratitude.
Have a lovely weekend 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
So fun to hear how you both work together on something creative. The path and garden is beautiful, Val. Two heads are better than one 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks D. We used to be at loggerheads when it comes to the garden. I love color and patterns. Don loves tidiness and structure….
We are amazed that we found a way that works for us both. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s beautiful (yes that’s a lesson on compromise, being open, etc.). We also put a high fence in much like yours last year to keep out the deer and I’m only sorry that I didn’t do it 13 years ago (and thousands of dollars of lost plants).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recall your posts Kate! I was reluctant to put in such a high fence, but it looks good…. Hindsight with kind sight 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not a solid fence so it’s not a harsh look. It looks great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great shot! Love the thought behind this post too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Fiona! Teddy does like to strut his stuff 💛
LikeLike
Great message, Val — I really liked the moral of the story. And the little emoticons and dialogue made me smile. Enjoy your new path, my friend~~
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to follow the paths here, Val.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad we are the same path Ann 💛
LikeLike
Beautiful😊..a wonderful path of Blessings…May your weekend be filled with Sparkles and Joy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Deb. So glad your enjoyed it.
Have a wonderful weekend💕
LikeLike
What a wonderful anology to your story Val, and I love the finished result.. All that extra effort never goes a miss.. And two heads come together to create the finished vision. 🙂 Enjoy all of your beautiful shrubs and flowers. It seems as though Teddy is just taking it all in his stride! 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So……thank you Val. This post could not possibly have come at a better time for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep working it Colleen 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Be Open” – two LARGE words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You heard it well David 💛
LikeLike
Wonderful words and now to put them into practice. I will keep my mind open and see where it leads me Val. Love your garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kath! Noticing our own response and the resistance along the way is such a valuable insight 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, love the emoticons! They add to the story so well. 🙂 The new garden looks great, esp, with the dog ornament. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Eliza. Teddy is a male, so enjoys every plant in his own way. Let’s hope they survive the honor of his attention!!
LikeLike
oh, dear…lots of brown spots, I guess. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Val! If we are not open in this ever changing world, we may find ourselves stressed and alone ha!! You are a wonderful example of this 🙏🏻❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Karen, my open mind and hearted friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks wonderful, Val. It just goes to show what can be done when you work together. Teddy looks so cuddly. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He does love his cuddles! Thank you Sylvia 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post Val and I love your analogy. Cooperation means a lot in relationships 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true Irene! Glad you enjoyed it 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love it, Val…and it reminds me that WE can always forge a new path ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes WE can Lorrie 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s to letting the path unfold before us!
LikeLike
Yes indeed Nancy! Its such a powerful lesson to allow the path to unfold. 💕
LikeLike