Just Being Silly

How often do you laugh?  I don't mean chuckle, I mean really laugh.  You know, a real belly laugh,  The kind of laugh that takes your breath away.  Probably not often enough and today I was reminded to live a life that includes humor, laughter, fun and yes, even silliness.

I went to a wonderful memorial service today. This particular memorial service celebrated the life of a wonderful woman who enjoyed being silly. She shared her good humor, wisdom and kindness with everyone she met.  I didn't know the woman being remembered. I'm good friend with her daughter. My friend, like her mom, always seems to find humor and laughter in nearly every circumstance. In fact, she sent THE funniest email after her mom died as she and her sisters tried to write the obituary in honor of their mom. It seems each of the daughters inherited the same delightful sense of humor.

During the memorial service we heard many delightful stories, like the one about Safety Man.  When Safety Man was mentioned there were a few giggles in the crowd and we later learned that my friend's mom took a driving trip to Mexico alone and decided to travel with a "companion."  She bought a blow-up "friend," dressed him in some great outfit and drove to her vacation destination with Safety Man to keep her company. After the road trip he became a significant character in her life's history.

She planned a European vacation for herself and two daughters using a guidebook titled, "Europe on $15 a Day." The travel experience made for some crazy and funny travel adventures. (I think the $15 a day was intended for a single traveler....)

Each of my friend's sisters shared some of the most delightful stories about a woman who lived a life focusing on joy, humor, happiness AND silliness.  And she shared these gifts. I was reminded...we need more silly and we need to share it.

Potting Benches and Mailboxes

Some of the fun aspects of the Hydrangea Festival are some of the various activities and competitions.  The theme of this year's competition was OZ and there were some of the cutest garden additions but the prizewinning mailbox was so creative! Yes, behind that bicycle is a mailbox.

Wouldn't you like some glittered clogs?

And I love the potting bench competition.

I love this one!   An old secretary and window frame.  So cute!!

And We've Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden

My daughter painted these powerful, and for me, truthful lyrics on to a piece of her photography as a gift and  I keep it close to me in the office.  When work gets really busy, as it has been for the past couple of weeks, garden time is limited, and I really miss it.  It's summertime.  You know, the best time of year, when everything is lush and green and in bloom, especially the hydrangeas.

Back in the early 90's, together with a few like-minded gardeners I started a garden club.  It was an amazing club (and is still going strong) and at one point we had ten incredible (and some very well-known) master gardeners. Some of the master gardeners were also very well-connected and because of these gardeners I had the chance to meet and work with a number of well-known Georgia gardeners and that was how I met Penny McHenry a/k/a the hydrangea lady.

Every year when the McHydrangea Festival rolls around, somehow my plans become altered because of a family need but today was the day that I knew I needed to get to the garden. It was the perfect day. So join me now as I share highlights from today's tour. Hope you like it.  Later in the week I'll also show you the mailbox winner and a couple of the potting tables from the potting bench competition.