Our Mission

I took Mom back to her house for two nights and three days of gardening. My mission was to make a dent in the overgrown flowerbeds and thoroughly water the yard and flowers. We had some warning from family and neighbors that much needed to be done, but it was still a sad shock to see how tall and thick the weeds were and how patchy, overgrown, and dotted with milkweeks the grass was. These pictures don't begin to show how dismal it looked. This was the first time that I felt it looked uncared for. I felt bad for Mom as we drove up and resolved to throw myself into the task and not let her sidetrack me with inside jobs. As soon as we were unloaded and she was settled inside I began. Thankfully, reinforcements started coming the next day.

Rock Garden

Back Yard

Front Yard

Daughter-Grandaughter Power

Danielle arrived Friday morning and Sarah came in at dusk that night. I think we were drawn as much by that invisible, unnamed family umbilical cord that is rooted somehow in this homestead place even more than by the mission we were undertaking. This house, which is held together by the sweat equity of my parents seems to be our cradle symbol for family.

Armed with tools we began under the watchful eye of Ellie, our director and comrad.

18 Work Hours Later

The results were fabulous! Although there is more to do, I was amazed at what we accomplished. Needless to say, my hands were playing out by the third day, but Danielle kept going like the Energizer Bunny. Thankfully, Sarah kept Grammy company inside and cleaned up after us by mopping the kitchen/dining room floors.

Rock Garden

Back Yard

Front Yard

Hi, Bella!

On our way home from the beach we stopped at Uncle L & D's house for a visit. Daughters J & S joined us and, after a tour of all the wonderful remodelling work, we continued our chatting at a nearby Olive Garden restaurant. It was nice to touch base again, but the time went much too quickly. Below are some pictures sent to us by L earlier, before the deck was finished. D's gift for horticulture is definitely evident in the landscaping!

That's Bella in the driveway.