Wednesday 23 May 2012

Gone Gardening.....

I know, I know.  You've been wondering why I haven't posted recently.  You've probably been sobbing uncontrollably waiting for one of my 'eagerly anticipated' articles.  Then again, perhaps not.
The answer's in the title of this here posting.  Yep, I've gone gardening and with the weather we've been having in Britain, that's cause for some kinda' celebration.
Just before the beginning of April, it was announced that we were in a "drought".  And through the month of April, we had the wettest April ever recorded.  It has only been over the last couple of days that I actually managed to get to my garden without the aid of a canoe.
And thus, one man and his shovel have set to work while the opportunity is there.


I have been waiting for the right time to put up the above award.  The "Sunshine Award" was bestowed upon me by Tina who was one of the hosts of that gosh darn fun "A to Z Challenge" that brought further awareness of the alphabet and got folks more followers who mostly embraced the ethos of a sharing, caring blogging community.  Despite my good natured ribbing of the challenge, Tina was so in awe of my writing that she has become one of my starstruck fans.  Or something like that.  If you have never checked out Tina's blog, here's the link that will take you there:  Life is Good.
I'm supposed to give you a whole bunch of 'fascinating' facts about me upon receiving the award and then pass on the award to a few bloggers.  However, I don't want to bore you with more stuff about me and I reckon that if you need a bit of sunshine in your life, literally or metaphorically, please grab this award and give us a smile.  Thanks for this award, Tina.  I'm most grateful.


And on this late May evening, I went for a stroll in my garden.  It was mild evening at the end of a perfect, sunny day.  Even the 'wee folks' seemed relieved that the weather had finally improved.  I looked at Geoffrey the garden gnome and noted his hat was glowing for the first time this year.

58 comments:

  1. Congratulatiosn on your award and your garden!

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    1. Hey Heather,
      Thanks for that. And now I shall go and try to do some more work on my garden :)

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  2. You have a garden gnome! Too funny. Heather and Stormy the Weather Gnome would be proud.
    Congratulations on the award. Been friends with the awesome Tina for a while now.
    You garden. I hide from the humidity. Which hit full force last week.

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    1. Hi Alex,
      I have several garden gnomes and a whole collection of magical 'wee folks' in my enchanted garden. Didn't I see Heather and Stormy the Weather Gnome in the latest issue of 'Better Gnomes and Gardens'?
      Thanks for the congrats. Tina is awesome and heck, she can speak Swedish! Humidity. Yuck. Hate it when your clothes stick to you.
      Happy writing.
      Gary

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  3. I like your approach to the award (and congrats) and also your common sense to know when it's time to get out from behind the computer and go join those gnomes in the garden. Enjoy the sunshine!

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    1. Hi Susan,
      Thanks and it was so much easier to just let this award float out into a sunny ethos. As you know, the weather here had been awful and I must "make hay while the sun shines". Getting out and away from the computer has been a most positive distraction. Right then, I will go and savour the sunny weather :)
      In kindness, Gary

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  4. So happy your weather's finally obliged your need for gardening and sunshine. How soothing just to read about your evening garden stroll! A shout-out to all the Wee Folks, and a big congratulations to you on such a cheery award!

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    1. Hi Kim,
      Thank you and it has been so depressing for a lot of people here to not be able to get out and feel the warmth of the sunshine. It was a very serene setting in my garden as the sun set and the solar lamps began to glow.
      The 'wee folks' say hello to you! Thanks for the congrats on such a sunny award.
      Kind wishes, your way, Gary

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  5. If anyone deserves a splash of sunshine, Gary, it's you! Glad you can finally enjoy your garden.

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    1. Hi Ian,
      That's very kind of you. And yes, finally able to enjoy the garden without needing to use a canoe to get to it:)
      All the best to you.
      Gary

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    2. Gary, I just sent another award your way. You'll have to get a bigger trophy cabinet soon :)

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    3. Hey Ian,
      Thanks for that. My trophy cabinet is bulging! :) I shall be duly over to your site.

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  6. Dear Gary,
    Yes, it's wonderful weather we're having at the moment. I wonder if it will last. Just right though for doing a little tinkering of the green-fingered type. And, even Geoffrey's hat is glowing! Wow, Gary, things must be looking up!
    Very Best Wishes and will ring soon,
    David.

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    1. Dear David,
      Indeed, we must savour the sunny weather. Wouldn't it be nice if it lasted for more than a few days. It has been a daunting task trying to catch up with the garden, but the end result will give me a sense of peace and satisfaction.
      Yep, Geoffrey's hat is glowing. Might be because he's standing beside Fidelina, the beautiful fairy princess.
      Thanks David and talk soon.
      Sunny wishes, your way, Gary

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  7. Congratulations on the award and on the gardening thing. It is very hard work - except by the time you see the benefit the pain is a memory. Tricky that. It means that I at any rate keep taking on HUGE gardening jobs. Slow leaner.

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    1. Hi The Elephant's Child,
      I thank you. I remember when I moved in, it was a case of garden, what garden? I have a very large garden and it can be very difficult to keep up with. Darned high maintenance garden. Ouch, my aching back! :)
      Take good care.
      Easy gardening wishes, your way, Gary

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  8. Still glowing after all these years? Amazing, and so are you. We've had so much rain here too; might just grab hold of this here, 'Sunshine Award' and watch the flower grow! Congratulations, and thank you very much!

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    1. Dixie,
      Or in my case, still crazy after all these years :) Oh no, I'm sorry to hear you've been getting a lot of rain. Please do take the "Sunshine Award", talk to your flowers and watch them grow!
      Thanks for the congrats and you're welcome.
      Amazing, sunny wishes, your way, Gary

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  9. Congratulations on the award and hooray for the warmth of the sun - I love Geoffrey's hat :-) x

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    1. Hi Teresa,
      Thank you for the congratulations. And here's to us having some more sunny days :)
      A rare sight to see Geoffrey's hat glowing.
      All the best.
      Sunny wishes, your way, Gary x

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  10. Well done on the award front, and the gardening too. Our beans, squashes, courgettes and the like are coming up strong now (no-one likes a show off, I know), and it makes me really happy to potter about in the greenery with the sun bearing down upon my head to toe garb (very pale of skin here). The older I get the more I love gardening. It's replaced recreational drugs hahahaha. But really. I'm terribly erratic with posts myself, I don't know how you keep up with so many followers either. You're practically a cult hahaha. Take care and enjoy the warm rays :) x

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    1. Hey All Consuming,
      Thanks for that. I'm very impressed with your selection of vegetables that are doing so well. It seems every time I try to grow vegetables, the local cats decide it's a great place to have a dump. Have tried everything. However, 'Scarecat', the straw thing on a stick in the photo, seems to have warded the kitties off:)
      I like gardening more as I get older. Almost thought about smoking a pipe, wearing comfy slippers and a tacky cardigan. And speaking of recreational drugs and um gardening...nah, forget it, that wasn't a magic mushroom...
      I guess we have to post when it feels right. Ah yes, erratic. I've been known to apologise for actually posting! Ah "followers". I'm lucky, but some 'superstars' of the blogging world with their zillion followers grace me with their thoughts. Set up a cult. What an idea. I shall make loads of bloggers 'follow' me until I have two zillion followers, on this planet, in all dimensions and Uranus :)
      Thank you, my friend.
      Sunny, warm wishes, your way, Gary x

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  11. Hello Gary:

    There is a fairy at the bottom of your garden.................her name is Nuff................... Fairy Nuff!!!!!

    May the sun keep shining on you and your award!

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    1. Hello Jane, hello Lance ,
      Did you take turns typing a sentence?
      Well that's fair enough and fairy good. Me, I'm experiencing 'mental elf' issues! :)
      Thank you and may the sun shine on us all.
      Kind wishes and a garden gnome, your way, Gary

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  12. Yes, this weather is wonderful, Gary, isn't it. We are too old to garden, we have help, but yesterday, on the strength of our heatwave, I actually dug up a plant and put into another place were it would be less crowded. Quite an achievement. Hope you have a great time in your garden, long overdue isn't it. :0)

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    1. Hi Carole,
      Finally, some decent weather. Wow, nice one shifting that plant! :) I'm looking forward to spending more time in the garden. Heck, the solar lamps are working and without the need to recharge the batteries :)
      Sunny wishes, your way, Gary x

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  13. Yay for bringing sunshine and laughter and good natured ribbing to blogworld!!

    I say more rain please!! I can't bear the thought of stand pipes if we get another dry winter!!

    Take care
    x

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    1. Hey Old Kitty,
      Yay for sunny wishes, laughter and good natured ribbing. Especially to that alphabet challenge! :)
      You know you don't want more rain just yet. You want to go out and like a good cat, laze about in the sunshine. A wetter winter would be better.
      All the best.
      No hosepipe ban wishes, your way, Gary
      x

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  14. Congratulations on your sunny award. You are going to need an addition to the house to hold them all.
    So glad you got the "tap" turned off over there. We are pretty dry here and hoping for a little rain today.

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    1. Hey Delores,
      Thanks for the congratulations on the award. My awards shall be donated to the 'Blog Museum' where all my 'adoring fans' can gasp in awe at all my awards. Then I woke up....
      Yes, the tap has been screwed up tightly. For a few days, anyway. I hope you might get some of the rain we had.
      Some rain, your way, Gary

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  15. Solar powered gnome?!

    It's boiling here today - 25 degrees, not bad for the UK after a week of rain last week ;) Time to hit the garden!

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    1. Hi James,
      Yes, a solar powered gnome that works. I'm sure you have them in stock.
      We must enjoy the sunnier weather and I hope that business at the gardening centre finally improves. Must have been a tough couple of months. Enjoy your gardening.
      Gary

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  16. Glad you've pulled yourself out of that bog of a garden and back to the sunshine state that is the interwebs.

    (Congrats on the award!)

    Pearl

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    1. Hey Pearl,
      Yep, left the bog and did a blog :) I hope the weather is pleasant in Minnesota :)
      Thanks for the congrats and continued happy writing to you.
      Gary

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  17. Congrats on your award and on your beautiful garden! I'm envious of your green thumb! Julie

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    1. Hi Julie,
      Thanks for the congrats and I've had to work very hard on my garden. My green thumb was borrowed from the Jolly Green Giant. Ho, ho, ho! Or is that, hoe, hoe, hoe...
      Take care of yourself,
      Gary :)

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  18. Congratulations on the award, Gary. You are loved. And that is as it should be. Gardening? Is that something you do in the rain? Because if it is, then I think I'll pass. Too friggin cold here to garden. Seriously, I love gardening. Such peace. Such quiet. So many bugs! The poor mosquitoes must be missing me. Poor things.

    Happy Gardening, Gary.

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    1. Hey Joylene,
      Why thank you for the congratulations. Yep, everyone loves Gary. Hey, that could be the name of my new TV show! I've gardened in the rain, the snow and much to my shock, I've actually managed to garden in some sunny weather. Sorry the weather has been so cold there. Indeed, gardening can be a most tranquil and therapeutic endeavour. Mosquitoes? Did you know I'm a sincere as a mosquito in a blood donor clinic...
      Thanks Joylene and may you soon be able to do some gardening and delight your mosquito buddies :)

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  19. Congrats on the award, Sunshine! Gardening is good for the soul and the soil. Indulge yourself. Love to the wee folk.
    x
    Laura

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    1. Hey Laura,
      I thank you kindly. Gardening is good for the soul and the soil, for sure. Makes me what to go out and um dish the dirt while one of my neighbours tells me to 'sod' off! :)
      The wee folks send you loving, peaceful wishes.
      Gary x

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  20. Thanks for the mention, Gary. I sure appreciate it. We've gone a waaaaay different way with gardening this year: aquaponics. I'll be posting about it as soon as The Engineer is willing to let me let his secrets out...he's a bit shy about his inventions. Suffice it to say, I still have my front flower bed, and it's in dire need of my attention. Good luck with that canoe, and I must say, I ADORE the glowing gnome. Here's an old post about gardening (well, up until this year...)
    Tina @ Life is Good

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    1. Hey Tina,
      You're welcome and thanks again for the award :) We've been doing aquaponic gardening due to the incredible amount of rain. I hope the Engineer does let out his secret and then you can share it in that posting.
      A flower bed? Do you have fitted sheets and a pillow for it? Ignore me.
      Must go and put the canoe away. Much to my delight the garden gnome's hat is still glowing. I shall check out your old link because I'm such a good guy!
      Have a good Memorial Day.
      Gary

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  21. Hello there, my radiant friend! Hoope things have been well for you ... and your garden.

    I must confess that I am a bit of a horticultural fanatic myself, soon to build my long overdue African Violet terrarium - that being a glass greenhouse folks. Yea, the little beauties have captured my attention since my dentist of old "vacationed" his blossums in his office from time-to-time. He told me they're like typical people ... they like to get out once in awhile, but prefer to be home in the gracious warmth of their abode. I love that concept, and the hard-to-grow little beauties, as well.

    Well, take care my friend ... and I hope that the world has nothing but good in store for you and yours!

    Jackie

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    1. Hi Jackie,
      Um, the radiant one is the gnome with the glowing hat :) All is fine, thank you. Hope you are embracing positivity.
      That seems like an awesome project you have been contemplating. May your hard to grow beauties blossom and thrive.
      Thank you for your kind words and may y'all have a peaceful Memorial Day.
      In kindness, Gary

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  22. That is the prettiest scarecrow-woman I have ever seen!
    Congratulations on your award.

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    1. Hi River,
      That there is 'Scarecat'. She keeps the cats from dumping in my vegetable patch! :) Thank you for the congratulations.
      Kind wishes, Gary.

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  23. I know who Tina is! Isn't that thoughtful of her to pass this award on to you. Happy gardening!


    Lee
    A Faraway View
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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    1. Hey Lee,
      Of course you know Tina. She is another one of my 'starstruck' fans. Very thoughtful of her to pass on the award to me, yes me, the official anti-A to Z Challenge spokesman.
      Thanks for the happy gardening wishes, Lee.
      Now y'all have a peaceful Memorial Day. Ya hear!
      Gary,

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  24. Congratulations Gary on your sunny award and your planted garden! That's my plan for this weekend since we have had a ton of rain, drought, rain, drought and now....just sun today. Even my girls are going to jump in and help me weed, till, shovel and plant.

    BTW, I hope you planted something yummy to go with the Mac and Cheese.

    Happy Spring and almost Summer. I can't wait to see what your garden yields.

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    1. Hey THE SNEE,
      Thank you for the congratulations on my award and the fact I can even get to my garden. I hope your weekend gardening goes well. Wish somebody would help me. Hello son!
      I planted some hot dogs. They go well with Mac and Cheese:)
      Should prove interesting to see how my garden turns out this summer.
      Have a lovely Memorial Day, Rebecca.
      In kindness, Gary

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  25. Hi Gary. I've been away for few days but still enjoyed this great weather in Belgium. So, you wee'd in the garden? Excellent!
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Hey bazza,
      Glad you enjoyed the weather in Belgium. Speaking of "wee'd", did you go see the MANNEKEN-PIS?

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  26. Congratulations on your award and getting your garden planted.

    I hate planting; it takes far too much work.

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    1. Hey Jeff,
      Thanks for the congratulations and it was a miracle I've got any gardening done.
      It sure is hard work. I'm just hoping I can sit back and enjoy the wonders of a blooming garden.
      Take care and happy writing.
      Gary

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  27. Congrats on the Creative award, it's lovely visiting you again :).

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    1. Hi unikorna,
      Thank you very much for the congratulations. Much appreciated. I've also had a look at your beautifully crafted and visually stunning blog. I really must come over for a lengthier visit.
      Take very good care and lovely of you to visit me :)

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  28. Ah ha! I found your 'wee folk'! Wonderful!
    Thanks for the visit! Hope you'll come back to see us sometimes!
    Heather

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    1. Hey Heather,
      Thank you very much for commenting. Ah yes, 'the wee folks' is a whole series of postings which have been a most magical experience. I shall be returning to your site and of course, checking out "Stormy".
      Very kind of you to link into my shy, humble and unassuming blog. The wee folks, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet star and I, wish you a peaceful, positive weekend.
      Gary

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.