well here are two photos of my brand new PNW gardens: one of part of the back garden, one of part of the side garden.




They're nice enough, but looking at them also makes me feel sad for my MD garden. They still need a lot of work but at least they're started...

started, nothing, you are WELL underway !

Seriously on her way!

very bright, cheerful and diverse

Definitely has Robin's stamp on it!

Cheerful---garden, I like them! and here I am still weeding!

awww, shucks, thanks all!
I hope to get more blues and purples for next year. I began to see a few bees and butterflies around which was really nice, then I think my landscaping company used a herbicide on the ground when they weeded last month (grrrr grumble grump).
This week has been busier than usual--my father's interment and celebration of life event were on Monday--it went super well and was a really good and meaningful event! Since then Katie and I have been busy doing stuff like passport-renewing. It's been so nice to have her here. She flies back to NYC on Sunday.

I've been pretty much MIA on our dear Mid Atlantic forum for months. My mom's health, which has not been good for years, took a bad turn a few months ago. She is completely bedridden and requires total care which we are doing at home. We have some daily caregivers, but I fill in the gaps in their schedule and spend every night at their home. I can't tell you the last time that I slept in my own bed or had more than a few hours at a time at my own home. It has been overwhelming at times, but you just adjust, adapt, and do the best you can.

While we have been so focused on my mom's decline, my dad's Parkinson's disease has been progressing. He was still functioning, but getting frailer and frailer every day and mental confusion started creeping in more and more each day. A few days before Christmas, I had my sister drive him down to the ER, primarily to check out his back pain and possible broken bones from one of his falls. No broken bones, but a battery of tests showed he had an infection that had gone sepsis. He was admitted to the hospital and the infection was treated and from an infection standpoint, he was recovered but everything else started going wonky. He just kept getting sicker and sicker and he passed away yesterday morning. We have all lost loved ones and it never gets any easier

I hope to get back to gardening this spring, it is something that always brings me joy and a feeling of well being. I also hope to attend if our annual seed swap happens in February. I see there is a thread started, but haven't looked into it yet.

Teri
I am so sorry!

So very sorry, Terri. Especially hard when it comes so suddenly.

I am sorry Terry, for for mother's sickness, and also your Dad's. So hard to have both of parents sick and to have to take care of both of them. At least your father is not suffering any longer——. You are a very caring daughter=Bless you, and hugs.

Sad to hear the news Aspen.

My condolences Terri. Once the weather warms (and dries), getting back to playing in the dirt (soil) will help a bit.

Terri You've been in my thoughts constantly.

My dad died on Sunday also, the same day as Terri's father -- quickly and unexpectedly. He fell on the way back from breakfast, decided to get checked out at the ER because his leg was really hurting, then coded during the 2 minute ambulance ride. My brother and I were on the other side of town at the time, getting things sorted at the house (Dad moved to the assisted living facility just before Thanksgiving). I'm very glad I had come up Friday to spend a few days with him! I didn't see him at Christmas due to health issues with Jim's parents.

Dad was doing remarkably well, settling in and starting to participate in community activities, enjoying being with his dog Josie... but we all knew this life was his second choice, and he was just making the best of it. His first choice was to be with Mom, who died in spring. We're sad for ourselves but smiling to think of those two long-time lovebirds together again. No more pain, only joy!

My heart dog will be living with me soon! Actually, I'm with her now, as my brother and I worked on things at the house today and will do so again tomorrow. Then I need to go home and get some things in place for Josie.. that will be easier to do if I board her at her favorite vacation kennel (she really does love it there, never excited to see my parents come to pick her up after a trip), rather than trying to dog-proof with her underfoot.

Sorry to hear the news Jill. Losing both parents within a year can be devastatingly sad.

Jill, I am so sorry!

So sorry to hear this news. But, ou're right... they're together and happy.

Thank you. I'm either accepting this better than I'd have predicted, or it hasn't hit me yet, likely a bit of both.

Josie has the mindset of a pampered lapdog and the body of an 85 pound golden retriever. With my knee improving, I've been able to take her on walks around the (large) building here; I think we will get into shape together this spring! I let her get up into Dad's big power recliner with me on Sunday afternoon. That night, I got into bed and withstood 20 minutes of puppy dog eyes and "please paw" (she raises one gentle paw, always the right one, when asking for something). Then I caved and invited her to jump up onto the bed. With both the bed and the recliner, she wants to take her half out of the middle!

With my laptop not working and having to deal with my iPhone and my bad typing on it, I have not checked the garden.org nor my emails very much. My sympathies to you for losing both your Mom and Dad the same year. But—-both of them are now together again, happy and healthy and getting everything what they want—at least according to Harry Potter BK. 7 (Rowling) and also the book The death of my son by Jasper Swain. Losing our roots is tough. As a single woman, I feel, although I have my own place, I lost my HOME where I always could go and be welcome. No more roots——But you have your own family now and a nice dog who will help you, maybe, with Spring gardening—

I now have a brand new iPad that I am still learning how to use——

Here's hoping that you will continue seeing things from the positive side—I am also glad that you knee is improving—--

Jill and Aspen, I'm so sorry for you both! These losses are so hard.