Comforts of Grace

Knock Out Roses called "Bubblegum" Karl Rosenfield peony The light pink peonies are very special and smell wonderful ... much like heaven smells, I imagine.  These frilly beauties are grown from a plant that first belonged to Chris's Grandma Wright.  Chris remembers, as a little boy during the 1960's, his grandma's beautiful, huge flower gardens which she was known for in her small town in central Indiana.  I, too, had the privilege of knowing Grandma Wright and visiting her beautiful gardens when Chris and I began dating in 1979.   A Godly woman and the mother of nine (four of whom became pastors), she affectionately hugged me during our first introduction, like only grandma's do.  She was the only person who has ever called me Sherrie.  From her loving example, I love to give away "Grandma Hugs" during every new introduction in our family. Back to the peonies... Chris's mom brought a grandma peony start to her garden here in northern Indiana ma

April showers bring May flowers ...  well, they actually brought them in April this year and they lasted through early May.   The squirrels have long-ago dug up the pretty, red tulips that I planted over ten years ago, but they tend to leave the daffs alone.  Next month, we'll enjoy the peony and rose displays. I delight in all signs of spring.  As Chris and I enjoy conversations and observe nature from one of our favorite rooms in the house ...  the screen room ... I made my yearly confession of how spring is my favorite season (with fall following closely in second place).  Spring just radiates fresh, new life.  Brilliant colors of green, yellow, red and pink repaint the dark, gray, slumbering landscape of our LONG Indiana winters. The first week of May, Chris mowed the yard for the first time and tilled the two vegetable gardens.  Our undesirable zoya grass always stays brown far longer than the neighbors without zoya.   We can thank previous neighbors (from many years ago) for