Welcome!

Welcome to austinagrodolce … My family and I garden with more intention and enthusiasm than allocated budget or overall design plan. It shows. Wildlife populations don't seem to notice our lack of cohesive design, they just like the native plants here. It seems by growing local we've thrown out a welcome mat. Occasionally, we're surprised at who (and what) shows up.



Sunday, February 28, 2016

I finally heard it - maybe you have too?

I thought I'd become immune.
I thought I'd gotten
 too hardened,
 frustrated to the point of no return.
But I kept being called out, drawn into the garden spaces.
I pretended to see if I needed to trim something a bit...
but then I'd stop to admire while acknowledging nothing needed trimming.

As I ventured out in my garden beds, I began hearing something.  At first it was barely audible.
But it happened again...and again.
A little snatch of tune...a snippet of melody...just the notes at first.  Until finally...the words became
just 
clear 
enough...to catch.  I had to actively listen, to hear.
To finally admit and understand.
It was only, ever, going to be a matter of time.
Because when it comes to the great awakening of garden and gardener alike? We silly humans may swear we are done, that this gardening thing, it is all over. We can say we have washed our hands and walked away forever.

But the garden, deep in her heart, she simply knows better.
Time, as always, is on her side.

Sings my garden:
Time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is


Now you all would say, that you wanna be free
But you'll come running back (Like I said you would, baby)
You'll come running back (Like I told ya so many times before)
You'll come running back to me, yeah


You're searchin' for good times, but just wait and see.
You'll come running back (I said you would, darlin')
You'll come running back 
You'll come running back to me


Go ahead, baby, go ahead. Go ahead and light up the town.
Baby, do anything your heart desires remember, I'll always be around
I know, I know like I told ya so many times before
You're gonna come back, yeah you're gonna come back, baby 


'Cause I got the real love the kind that you need
You'll come running back (I knew you would one day)
You'll come running back (Like I told you before)
You'll come running back to me, yeah


Via Wikipedia: "Time Is on My Side" is a song written by Jerry Ragovoy (under the pseudonym of Norman Meade). First recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his Orchestra in 1963, it was covered (with additional lyrics by Jimmy Norman) by both soul singer Irma Thomas and the Rolling Stones in 1964.
 

18 comments:

Tina said...

Well, that was lovely. Have missed you and your musings. Welcome back/happy spring!!!

Kris Peterson said...

Spring - the ultimate siren! It's amazing what the garden can do, even when it only gets a dribble of rain.

Shirley/Rock-Oak-Deer said...

Very nice, I was just out enjoying an afternoon in the garden. Not actually doing much, just taking a look around.

Toni W said...

Great post! I heard it, too :)

TexasDeb said...

Tina: Thank you! I think we both know much of the credit for winning me back over to La Vida de Jardinería goes to the coneflower passalong plant you gifted me last year. That single early bloom both broke and healed my heart.

TexasDeb said...

Kris: You definitely know that "dribble gets results" process from your own wonderful spaces and how they are tolerating a similarly dry warm winter. Recent photos you've posted of your garden beds would be remarkable with a "normal" amount of rainfall, but considering how little precipitation you've gotten? Absolutely amazing what you've managed to coax out of the soil there.

TexasDeb said...

Shirley: Your spaces are inspirational. I can only imagine the pleasure you get from being out enjoying the results of your many projects. And a sidebar thanks for the winter walk post and link... What a lovely idea!

TexasDeb said...

THGM: I suppose it is good for both of us we've been called back to our gardens before everything gets buried in fallen live oak leaves. Thanks for dropping by!

Debra said...

SPRING!

Oh yes. I saw the first hint of new green only a week or so ago. One blink later -- my heart is awakened. And ditto Kris. All it takes is a dribble. Have you seen the photos of Death Valley's spring this year?

(And as always an appreciation for your great photos. ty)

TexasDeb said...

Debra: Thank you - right back at you for the photo love. I've been admiring several slide shows of the unusual display in Death Valley this year. It almost feels they should rename the area for at least the few weeks they entertain such loveliness...

I was thinking maybe my reaction to Spring this year was because I am ancient of days - you know the purported drill - you get older and time seems to fly by faster and faster. But it seems even you younger ones are commenting on how abrupt Spring's arrival seems this year. Whoomp, there it is! The best I can personally hope for this year is that the oak pollen portion will rush right by us and I'll be able to enjoy going outside AND breathing through my nose freely for a bit before the heat sets in. A gal can dream...

Debra said...

I am not as young as you apparently imaged so your theory may hold. Time is flying by at a tremendous rate. Where are the brakes on this thing!!!?

TexasDeb said...

Debra: Ha! Wait!?!...... There are brakes...? : )

Donna@LivingFromHappiness said...

Just fabulous.....welcome back and Happy Spring!

Rock rose said...

How interesting that we both have been thinking along the same lines. The garden is master of us all pulling us back in with a snippet of things here and there. And if you are like me it doesn't take much to woo us. We are all back, oh master.

TexasDeb said...

Donna: Thank you - Happy Spring to you as well!

TexasDeb said...

RockRose/Jenny: I am easily wooed, no question. Even with oak pollen counts climbing I feel pulled out to check on this, try and transplant some volunteer into a better spot, so on and so forth, then I simply MUST get my camera out to chronicle the pretties... One thing does lead to another and before you know it, yes, the garden is mastering the gardener yet again! I'm not sure why I even pretend I can successfully resist.

Kathleen Scott said...

Thanks for your 'welcome back' at Hill Country Mysteries. Feels good to be writing there again.

I always enjoy your garden photos. Is the tubular red flower Pineapple Sage? And what is the fabulous drooping yellow flower with red veins?

Cheers and happy spring!

TexasDeb said...

Kat: The tubular red is Russelia equisetiformis (Coral Fountain or Firecracker plant) and the yellow with red veins is an Abutilon - "Pictum" I think. The Russelia isn't a native of Texas but rather Mexico and Guatemala - so a near neighbor. It seems to handle our weather beautifully. The abutilon isn't native either but has naturalized in Central America and tolerates the heat really well. Both are quite striking especially when a no-winter situation allows them to flourish more year 'round.

Thanks for the photo love. Happy Spring right back to you!