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The year of the garden 2004 began like any other year. Linda began her seedlings in the potting shed and had finally moved them into the garden and many pots around the house. It promised to be a very nice gardening season. Even the farmers were getting their crops in and their seedlings were growing robustly. Across the street the farmer had hired a crop duster to dust his crops. Everything was going fine as the pilot flew pass after pass over the vast acreage. Nearer and near to the house he swooped. With only a few more passes left the winds began to shift and blow toward the house. The pilot didn't let this concern him and he finished off his final passes and headed for home.

About one week later the garden began to respond to those final passes. Eventually you would be able to see exactly where the house had protected the main garden in the back of the house. The leaves on birch trees, redbuds, and even the oak tree began to curl and wither. Growth of numerous trees, bushes, and flowers came to a screeching halt. When the farmer and his Co-op were notified they were aghast and swore to make complete amends. When they came to look at the damage they were surprised to see that this was not any normal garden. Linda took them from plant to plant and from garden to garden pointing out the damage. They continued to claim that they would make full amends.

Since the Master Gardener, Linda, was house bound and couldn't get out to see the gardens I took a few photos so I could show her how the gardens were doing. I think the lion's share of the weeding fell to me while my eldest sister, Anita helped take care of Linda. It was a very difficult time for me because I was taking five classes and couldn't drop of fail any of my classes. I was due to receive full-time at school but it was contingent upon receiving my associate's degree Some days I enjoyed all the hard work and other times the stress was just too much. I remember one time when I was cleaning the fountain and Anita came out to ask me to do a few things inside the house while she went home to Iowa. It was a breaking point and I remember just sitting there and crying afterwards. One of my five classes was math and I was as always, with math, having a very difficult time of it. So there I was with five classes, working 36 hours a week, and spending most of waking time at home pulling weeds in the garden.

I did have moments of triumph though. The roses were heavily infested with beetles that would eat the rose bud before the pedals would even begin to open. I had grabbed some powder stuff from the potting shed and when I went to sprinkle it on the roses the lid came off. The roses were white with insecticide. I bought some more of this wonder powder and kept dousing the roses with it after each rain. I kept a bucket of soapy water near by and would pick off as many beetles as I could catch and put them in the bucket. Eventually I got the upper hand and had roses blooming toward the very end of the season. Now if the Master Gardner had been in the garden I am sure those beetles would have never gotten so bad to begin with. .


Water Lily preparing to bloom.	This was the first season for the lily in the garden.	I took this picture so Linda could see the pretty lily.	The main garden.	Looking north over the raised bed that lines the creek.

The ornamental grasses along the brick pathway.	Looking east at the ornamental grasses.	Punch, on the brick patio. This was Punch's last healthy summer.	The roses.	The beautiful roses triumph over the beetles.

This is my usual contribution to the garden, a tomato plant in a pot.			Linda (gimp) and grandkids. L-R Toddy, Ryan, Linda, Collin, Michelle	Again.
	Looking up toward the lower deck. This is another part that I contribute to the garden.