Daffodil Bulbs

The temperature has dropped down into the 50’s Fahrenheit today here in my corner of the world in southern New England. It is looking like it will go down into the low 40’s tonight. It isn’t freezing yet although, there was some frosty dew laying down on parts of the property this morning. Cold in October means it is time to plant more bulbs. I picked up some bulbs a few weeks ago to plant. I have been planting bulbs in the woods and the edges and out of the way places in the wood over these past years.

Bulbs

We planted about 35 bulbs in the woods by edge of the driveway and next to an area that I began planting after my mother passed away two years ago. She did like daffodils very much. I plan to plant daffodils every year for her. It makes me so glad to see them pop up in the spring and also makes me feels a bit melancholy thinking of her. Life is hard like that sometimes. Our hearts are so big - they can hold both kinds of feelings all at once. Planting treasured plants in a loved one’s honor is a kind thing to do.

So, after we planted the bulbs we purchased - I decided to divide up some daffodil bulbs that have been here next to the house foundation since we have lived here. They have never been divided - so today was the day to dig up those clumps of daffodil bulbs and bring them to other places. It turns out a very small couple of clumps of daffodil bulbs was actually 400 bulbs once they were divided! The below photos don’t really show the sheer amount that came out of the small clumps of daffodils that have bloomed here every year. I would lament getting them dug up every year and never found the time to do it. It was almost passed over again today. It is absolutely amazing how many bulbs were needing division.

200 Bulbs

We can be a bit like those clumps of daffodils hiding under the surface of the soil. Each year passing by as we in the underneath of ourselves maybe are left somewhat untended. Things can proliferate unchecked. It is a good thing to dig into the soil of ourselves and find what needs tending. What do we need to divide and conquer? We could find some pieces that need cutting out and spread to other places.

I do like how gardening - planting - tending brings me metaphors to pay attention to. Even if it is unheeded - a growth lesson can be found for the taking. Those bulbs have been blooming for 3 decades. Each year showing up. Before that they most likely were blooming after being planted by the very old woman who lived here before us. She lived to be 100 years old. Despite our never dividing the bulbs they still brought their yellow smiling faces each year for us to enjoy. I had some lamentation over how many bulbs there would be now - if only we had divided them. Such is life. We get to things when we get to them. There is not much use in regret in the long run.

300 bulbs

After all was said and done there were about 400 bulbs in the division of labor. A bag load and a box load of new bulbs to spread around. Daffodil bulbs to tuck into secret places and surprise corners to be forgotten about until next springtime. I can’t wait to see them push through the soil in the warmth of a sunny spring day. I am certain many others have said this - planting these bulbs in the ground is an expression of hope for another year of life. I wish my Mom could see them all blooming here in her honor. She probably knows.

House Garden
thread and thistle weave a story of being - sky blue dome is my roofed thinking - legacy channeled into foundation of soil - in our belief of small, insignificant - an entire life can be moved through or along - not held back by stationary movement - the questions formed are of a great magnitude - slightest breath flutters an oath or a path of hurricane.

thoughts found wily enough without brittle contemplations - doldrum might ask you if you have yet climbed Dolomites - travel inward toward essential nutrients - searching horizons anew brings renewed sense of lack - leanings into immediate surroundings arch over the bridge you forgot to cross.

sense of pace rises and falls again in the light of your eyes - weed ways grow to keep moisture in thought reveals - color ways are wefted stories that hold where imagination ables - the mythic fable is your life way - held in close proximity to shimmering beauty of - just beyond - presently a home garden is where you will natively grow a set of beeing wings - you don’t need saving - I will catch threads entangled.

~thebonelines

I traveled to a garden of a different kind this week. The Farmers Daughter in Rhode Island is a beautiful garden place and nursery. It is one of my favorite places to go for plants - inspiration - friendship - imagination - wonder. The plant keepers there are friends that have grown over time - just like all my plants from this wonderland.

Gymnocarpus physocarpa, or Hairy Balls is in the milkweed family. Of course the name makes me laugh inappropriately! This plant makes me smile whenever I see it. It is also stunning to see up close. Here is some information about Hairy Balls from The Garden Diaries if you want to try growing it.

This change in the season here in New England is generally quite short. It sneaks up on you and suddenly we have the woodstove fired up - yesterday while the rain drizzled down all day. When it reaches the high 40’s F here at night, a woodstove fire is needed to take the chill off of an old 1700’s house.

It seems that many people like to decorate during this autumn time - especially with gourds, dried grasses, obligatory mums, and of course the wide variety of pumpkins available. I tend to love the misshapen, wonky, bumpy, other than orange colored ones. Even if I don’t purchase many, I love to look at them and run my fingers over a few with especially fancy characters. I think one way to enjoy the season can be to go and have a look at garden nurseries - botanical gardens - parks - or a walk or drive around your area. It isn’t necessary to purchase something. Drinking in others celebratory decor can provide us with a fill of beauty - if we don’t have the money or do not want to purchase more. If you do decide to purchase decorations - it would be useful to buy from your local farmers and perhaps decor could be made from items in nature. It does not have to be costly. A lovely dried branch stuck in a bottle you have on hand is just perfect.

A cart full of sugar pumpkins is the perfect autumn image. When you walk down the pathway and are greeted by such an abundance of orange in this old fashioned vintage cart - I feel full, and joyful and there is a sort of contentment that the simple things in life are available to us. Just a simple note with the price for you to step right up and pick out an orange pumpkin treasure. It is just the right small size to sit on a window sill. Things do not always need to be big and fancy. Small and simple can be just as satisfying.

In a time of life when we might wallow in lack, worry, trepidation about the world - the earth - finding ways to celebrate in quiet ways is helpful. The big fancy celebrations are wonderful of course! If we find smaller ways to celebrate and ritualize our daily lives - imbuing magic into them - life can begin to take on a festive and meaningful practice as we walk through the obligations that we hold.

Begin to find ways that make life feel sacred and meaningful to you. Of course this is different for everyone. For me here at The Bone Lines - finding meaning is a daily practice. It is not always the same and what is needed has varied over the years. Seeking small and doable moments will begin to build up a Life Way of living a breathing magical story. Your life is a biography. Imagine living in what is most important to you. Don’t let too much time pass. If a tiny inspiration catches you on an inbreath - try to pay attention to what is calling to you. Creating a meaningful and magical life is where The Bone Lines tromps along. Cinch up your skirts or belt up your pants - being land pirates of our lives is so much fun!