@RickM - I'm just now seeing this thread. Mercy, Rick...I'm so so sorry. I just don't even know what else to say....gentle hugs!!!

Thanks Chantell.

The past month has been an emotional roller coaster. First was my birthday on 30-Mar, followed by his birthday on 22-Apr and his passing on 02-May. While I couldn't get time off from work for my birthday, I was able to take some time off from work for Larry's.

I'm literally busting my butt working on the yard. It has been neglected for the past 2 years, and frankly, it's embarrassing because I know what it can and did look like. I want it to be as close to perfect as I remember for the swap.

@RickM - I hate to speak for everyone (esp since I've been MIA for a bit) but seriously do not stress over the yard!!! I'm just thrilled to see it for the first time and spend time with everyone again!!! Holding you up with prayers of comfort and peace!!!!

Terri, please leave something important behind at Rick's on swap day so you have an excuse to return -- with me!! I can just imagine Larry beaming with pride over how beautiful everything looks. But! It's now time to quit busting your butt working on the garden... get some R&R so you can enjoy the swap! Whatever is left on your to-do list can wait; as Chantell said, it's not worth stressing over, and we're very good at seeing the what-will-be as well as the what-is.

I had the fall swap at my place once. We'd already had a frost, so you have to imagine me excitedly showing off how well my peonies had grown, pointing to a swath of blackening foliage. Only fellow gardeners could've looked at that and shared my enthusiasm! I did do a double take, realizing what I was actually pointing to, but Sally assured me she had a good imagination.

Would Larry tell you to work your tail off until the last minute, or would he tell you to kick back this week and enjoy everything you've already done?

I received an unsolicited offer the other day from someone interested in buying the domain name that Larry and I used for our antiques and collectibles business. It's a very bittersweet moment.

As I go through all of the stuff associated with the site, I'm reminded of how much blood, sweat, tears and money went in to creating what was at one time the largest site on the Internet for antiques and collectibles with over 40,000 unique items. As an example, there are currently 29 thousand picture files of items that we had for sale.

We grew the business from a small office in the corner of our basement that relied on postal-mailed catalogs to a huge beast that was known throughout the industry. That 75 square foot area grew to occupy a 2,000 square foot warehouse with 18 foot ceilings. We did shows as far south as Orlando, FL and as far north as Albany, NY. It was a huge undertaking for every show, but we actually got enjoyment out of it. Not only we were always on the lookout for unique items, but we meet some great people along the way.

I think back on how we would arrive at the Atlantic City Convention Center on a Thursday morning with a van packed to the breaking point. Over the next 8 hours, we would unpack everything an fill a 10 x 20 display area. And after 2 days of show, we would pack it all up and head home. Back then, Larry would spend days getting everything ready and pack the van all by himself. The way he would skitter around the warehouse plucking just the right things to take, well, I just had to stand there in wonder. He knew where everything was.

Even when we went on 'vacation', the car or van would be packed just so. We had to leave plenty of room for all of the treasures we would find and bring home.

On one trip in particular, we were roaming around Vermont and New Hampshire. We stopped at this little antique shop an bought a dozen or so things. One of them was a really neat lamp. It didn't work anymore and the cord was badly frayed. But hey, I know how to rewire it. Well, one evening, I'm sitting on the living room floor and just about had it finished. I move the lamp and grazed the corner of a table. The lamp shattered into I don't know how many pieces. Yep, I was pissed. After the initial shock, Larry started to chuckle and before long, we were both laughing like fools. That stupid lamp traveled hundreds of miles only to meet its' end on our living room floor.

Memories like that are what make me smile and get all choked up at the same time.

@RickM - mercy, you've got me laughing while crying at the same time. What beautiful memories! Hold tight to them....continuing saying 'we' - as I told you....I truly believe our loved ones that have passed on still hang out with us.

Goodness, I didn't realize the size of the business you grew together! the lamp story. That poor lamp! I can just picture the shock on your face as well as the laughter that followed.

Chantell, I agree. I'm pretty sure my mom woke me up just exactly in time to see the sunrise at the beach several times last week!

I began the painful, but necessary, process of uninstalling Larry's garden at the 4-H center. Given that it hasn't been maintained for the past 18 months, it isn't looking too bad. That's assuming you don't count the numerous tulip tree saplings, wild blackberries, english ivy and who knows what else.

The lavender is doing wonderful. It really likes that spot on the corner. The carnations are doing fairly well also, as are the host and hellebore. The heuchera don't look so good, but the liriope... it too, is very happy. most of the fern along the back wall didn't survive the heat fro last summer. But, those that were in amongst the rest of the plantings are doing great.

Looking at the remains of spring greenery, it was a site to behold. I say remnants of daffs and hyacinth and a few other spring-y things. Even the rhododendron bloomed!

I did some clearing of the unwanted stuff and tidied up a little. at 11:00, it was already too humid to do much more. I did manage to get the 3 planters in to the car and brought them home. The rest will have to wait for cooler, or at least, less humid days. Plus, I forgot to take any tools with me.

@Rick: Wow, I am so impressed with your unforgettable memories with Larry====how you worked in your home and garden, your adventures when cruising in your van in search of collectibles and fun--Larry was a treasure in his organization of all those collectables ====that he somehow can find what he was looking for was amazing=You know, he is not gone, you just cannot see him nor could you touch him. He is still there. After all those experiences, how could he leave you---One day I cataloged a book by Jasper Swain. A thin book, its title was The death of my son. I took it when I went to lunch and read (skim through) the whole book in half an hour. Then I looked it up in the Internet and I ordered it. It is such a Wonderfull book about afterlife. It has changed my life about death. Then my experiences, when a friend "died" and she had to come back to life on earth because her job was not completed, and also my father talking about going home just before he died, and he knew the number of the ambulance that was going to pick him up and that the road was blocked---and also a friend of mine when she was little and a visiter mentioned how the toddler was playing with a boy, not knowing that the boy was her deceased elder brother.--so back to you, I am sure Larry appreciates what you have done for him.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Rick. You have such rich memories of your life together. I agree that Larry is still with you, appreciating what are you doing. Would love to see photos of his 4H garden if you have any you'd like to share--and also of the new spots you find for the ones you have taken home so far.

Just dropping by with a

Stopped by the 4H garden this AM and it still looks pretty good. Not sure what slender blue plants are in foreground (speedwell?) but they're thriving. The rhododendrons and liriope are robust, hellebores look healthy and Lily of the valley have multiplied nicely. Any news updates about sale of the property?

The blueish plants are lavender? I bought twice this year, and neither survived. What did I do wrong? The old one is still alive but surrounded by sneaky Bermuda grass now. Have been trying to get them all out-from there,

The blue-grey plants are lavender and carnation, with the lavender in the back.

Francine, I wonder if your plants are getting enough sun. I've had very little luck with lavender myself. The ones at the Center get sun all day and the soil stays fairly dry.

I haven't heard any updates on selling.

Lavender doesn't mind getting water, but it hates wet feet (like most Mediterranean herbs). My best ones are those I've planted alongside the driveway, where they put the gravel fill several feet beyond the driveway base. Drainage galore. For that reason, it'll usually do well in large containers (12" or more, not a 6" clay pot). I put moisture crystals into all containers -- helps with both over and under watering.

I was looking through some old files this evening and came across this. It was from our vacation through New England in 2012. Specifically, September 10, 2012. We were staying in Bar Harbor, ME and took a trip up Cadillac Mountain. Larry's staring out over the Gulf of Maine.

Great memories!

Lisa, forgot to say -- thanks for checking on the garden and sharing photos!

thanks for the photos!
I always had trouble growing lavendar in my MD yard, but here it does well!

Well, the 4-H Center has basically been sold. A developer of senior communities has expressed a strong interest and will be meeting with the locals over the next 2 months. No word yet on a new location. I imagine that that they have a nightmare task ahead of them disposing of all of the furnishings in the guest rooms and dining halls. Not to mention the kitchen equipment and all of the A/V gear.

I'm tied up next weekend, but I think I'll spend the following weekend there removing as much as I can of Larry's garden. I think it's a good time of year to lift everything an pot it up for the winter. I have a large 10-15 gallon nursery pot that I've been holding on to for the rhododendron. I have plenty of pots for the perennials that have survived. The bulbs have yet to have their fate determined. I have no real idea of what has survived 18 months of neglect, but I'll find out soon enough.

I brought the 3 large containers home several months ago, and have them at the house. I don't remember who provided them but you're welcome to have them back. Let me know.

So you're potting up Larry's garden w/e of Sept 18? LMK if you'd like help.