It's dark and chilly out in the Carondelet Garden on this last day of March.  The chill will stick around all day under cloudy skies.  The high may reach into the mid-50s.  A big change from this weekend.  By mid-week we should see some changes and quite a bit of rain.  We'll wait and see!

The raspberries have started to appear in the back garden.  I have to be honest as I didn't hold out much hope for these beautiful berry plants.  It seems our little Garden Doodle has taken quite an interest in these plants and would chew on them over the Winter.  Yet, here they are coming back with vigor and beauty.  I am constantly amazed at the resilience of some plants.  Just as I am constantly amazed when a plant suddenly dies for some unknown reason.  Ah, the life of an old urban gardener.  

One of the great luxuries of this time of year and this time in my life is lying in bed in the early dawn simply listening to the coos of the mourning doves.  Their soft wave of cooing sifts through the early morning stillness and always the most evocative and safest of all sounds.  The garden is a sensory delight.  The feel of the soil, the aroma of the plants, and the sounds of the birds all combine with the beauty of how things appear.  Hope is renewed.  Faith is restored.  Love fills the air.

April is right around the corner.  Spring is definitely here.  We may still have another frost, but the days are getting longer.  Joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Be good to yourself this week.  You deserve some goodness right now.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's still dark outside in the Carondelet Garden on this last Friday of March.  The good news is that sunshine will be coming soon but it will be windy.  The highs this afternoon may get into the mid-80s.  Don't get used to it as this is Saint Louis and things are going to change.  It's Spring in the Lou!

The hyacinths have arrived here in the Garden.  What an amazing little plant.  Such tiny flowers clustered like grapes into a beautiful plant.  Not terribly showy as individual flowers but collectively they become something extraordinary.  There's a lesson for today!

It's a beautiful Friday and the Garden is calling.  There are plants to plant and mulch to spread.  Off I go to change my little part of the world.  Be good to yourself and kind as well as you journey about this Friday in Lent.  That's all the news from the Carondelet Garden.

It is dark and chilly on this Wednesday morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The temperatures will climb into the upper 60s by this afternoon with plentiful sunshine.  A glorious mid-week miracle here in South Saint Louis.

The Garden Doodle and I were out the door early this morning for our daily walkabout in the neighborhood.  The Doodle has many favorite stops along her way.  I enjoy the early morning quiet before the City truly wakes up and the cacophony of cars, trucks and buses begin their daily journeys.  It is a good time to simply be and enjoy a bit of urban peace.

The Lilacs are starting to burst forth into bloom.  Lilacs are a wonder in the garden with the beauty and the incredible scent that fills the garden in early Spring.  Honestly, I can't imagine our garden without Lilacs.  Such a sweet joy that welcomes Spring to the Garden.

The day begins with work to be done.  The sun is shining now and the world is awake and moving about.  Coffee is made.  Time to get busy.  Be good to yourself today.  Be kind to others along your journey.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Sunny skies overhead here in the Carondelet Garden on this Monday morning in March.  Our skies should become overcast during the afternoon with highs in the low 60s.  A bit less windy thank goodness!

The lettuce in our cold frame is coming along very well.  The weather has been cooperative, and we are looking forward to fresh salads in our future.  We have Buttercrunch and Red Butterworth this year and we are excited about both varieties.  We should be able to start harvesting in late April.  

Optimism is the essential tool in any gardener's toolkit.  The ultimate reason we garden is to increase the value of our lives.  An urban garden gives us the very best chance of fitting back into a world that cities make us forget.  Gardens lock us into the slow, inevitable rolling out of the seasons and cycles of growing.  

Sitting in the garden on a sunny Spring morning, with a cup of tea you can feel the calm slowly creeping into your soul.  The very act of gardening slows me down, masks the myriads of worries and puts things into perspective.  There is almost 40 years of roots here in the Carondelet Garden.  The longer you stay put, the richer the rewards.  

It's a new week with a long list of chores still needing to be done.  The mulching begins in earnest this final week of March.  The last of the cleanup and pruning is almost finished.  We have our first crop in the cold frame.  Hope is alive and well.  Be good to yourself this week.  Take the time to slow down and witness the miracle of daffodils and crocus as you journey about.  There is beauty everywhere if we take the time to actually see it.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

A chilly start to the day here in the Carondelet Garden.  It's still dark outside but we should be seeing some sunshine this morning giving way to cloudy skies this afternoon.  The winds seem to be a permanent fixture around the garden these past few days and they are sticking around with wind gusts over 40 mph this afternoon.  The good news is the temperatures will be reaching close to 70-degrees.  Spring glorious Spring!

The radio announcer just called Spring the "adolescent of seasons... always changing!"  That is so true, especially if you live here in the Midwest.  It can start of snowing in the morning and be sunny and warm in the afternoon.  We've all seen it.  I have stood on my side of the street as dry as can be and it will be pouring down rain on the other side.  City streets are not that wide and I live on a one-way street.  Always changing.

Yesterday was the first day of Spring and the daffodils are starring in the fashion show right now.  Gardeners know that Spring isn't really here just yet, but we have the itch.  We are getting ready.  Preparing the way.  Turning the soil.  Cleaning the beds.  Watching the seedling sprout.  It's an exciting time.  It gives us some of the hope we need to keep going in this topsy-turvy time.

It's almost the weekend.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's dark and mild out in the Carondelet Garden on this midweek morning in March.  We should see decreasing clouds, but it will be windy, especially this afternoon.  There is a slight chance of a rain shower this afternoon as well. Hold on to your hats it's going to be another blustery day in the Lou.

Song of Songs 2:10-12
" ... come away, for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.  The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard on our land.  The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom, they give forth fragrance.  

We are definitely in a Saint Louis false Spring right now but it sure does make you want to plant, plant, plant!  I have all of my frost-resistant vegetables out and have filled the cold frame with others to get a bit of a head start.  Unfortunately, all I keep thinking about are tomatoes and BLTs.  To be honest, I am not the world's biggest tomato fan, but when they are grown in the garden and picked fresh, ripe and still warm from the sunshine.  Is there anything better?  Maybe add a shaker of salt!  

The flowers are appearing on the earth.  The crocuses have sprung up seemingly overnight and their colors are simply glorious.  Crocus, hellebores, daffodils, are all signs of hope that Spring will truly be here soon.  I think we are all ready for the hope the comes in Spring.  Soon the resurrection will be here.  The world will change and with a bit of faith, hope and love we can get through.  We aren't alone in the journey.  

Heading out into the garden to pray, play, piddle and simply listen to the pretty in these wee small hours of the morning.  I'm clinging to hope with a bit of faith and all the love I can muster in these dark times. And in these dark times, I pray.  Amen.

It is dark and cold outside in the Carondelet Garden on this frosty Saint Patrick's Day morning.  The good news is that this chill isn't going to last as the temperatures should rise to near 70-degrees with lots of sunshine by this afternoon.  We are still cleaning up after the 314 Day storms. Our prayers are with everyone who suffered damage both physical and emotional over the past weekend.  It was definitely a scary evening.

The Hellebores are in full bloom here in the Garden.  Last year's hailstorm hit them hard.  Luckily, this year's hailstorm was not quite as bad and the Lenten Roses are looking spectacular in the Prayer Garden.  Truly one of my favorite perennials!  A bit of grace in late Winter.

It is Saint Patrick's Day.  A day to celebrate all things Irish.  As someone of Scots-Irish descent I must admit I love this day and everything about it.  We are pulling out all of our favorite Irish-themed movies to watch and at the top of the list is "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald and Ward Bond as the village priest and narrator.  If you have never seen it, I highly recommend this love story with one of the best fight scenes ever filmed.  It's a John Ford classic to be sure.  

Lots of fun stuff ahead.  Wear a bit of green.  Have a wee nip of the good stuff.  a bit of Irish good luck is welcome!  Happy Saint Patrick's Day from the Carondelet Garden.

It's dark and mild out in the Carondelet Garden on this 314-Day Friday morning.  We should start out with a mix of clouds and sunshine this morning which will give way to more gusty winds developing this afternoon.  It's going to be downright warm with high in the upper 80s this afternoon.  It wouldn't be Saint Louis if we didn't enjoy a stretch of beautiful weather followed by storms.  Tonight, we should see some strong thunderstorms roll through our region.  Some storms could produce some tornadoes.  Be careful if you must be out an about this evening.

It is 314 Day here in our beautiful Saint Louis.  Today we celebrate all the amazing thing that happen here in Saint Louis.  The date aligns with our City's area code:  314 and we celebrate all things City today.  From Fish Fry Friday to Imo's Pizza.  Barbecue that is second to none, to Blues, R&B and Gospel music.  Saint Louis has given so much to our culture and our lives.  Let's celebrate!

We have a lot to be grateful for.  All we have to do is look around and recognize it.  Yes, it is extremely easy to see the problems, and they are many, but we also have to be thankful for the goodness, the kindness, the wonder that surrounds us every day.  Celebrate your City on this 314-day.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's dark and a bit chilly outside in the Carondelet Garden on this Wednesday morning in March but it isn't going to stay that way for long.  Sunshine is headed our way with highs in the low 80s again today.  I know this is a false Spring, but I'm enjoying every minute of it.

The Garlic we planted last Fall is looking okay.  The ice, snow and cold took a toll but it seems to be hanging in there.  A new variety this year in Transylvania Garlic.  Looking forward to giving it a try sometime in mid-July.  Candy Sweet Onions are going in this week as well as Snap Pea seeds.  Last year's harvest of Snap Peas was curtailed by that wild hailstorm in May, 2024.  Looking forward to a bumper crop this year!

What a privilege it is to get older and have the time and still have the energy to be active in the garden.  Till the soil, plant the flowers and vegetables, water and fertilize, and the patience to sit back and watch things grow.  The wisdom to realize that sometimes you will still fail miserably.  The fortitude to go on and try again.  We do the best we can with what we have every day.  That's all the Creator asks of us.  Do the best you can with what you have today. 

​Be good and be kind to yourself this Wednesday in Lent.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It is dark here in the Carondelet Garden on this first Monday in the season of Lent.  A bit chilly to start but the temperatures should recover quickly into the mid-70s by this afternoon under sunny skies!  A beautiful way to start the week.

This is one of those weeks that messes with my gardener brain.  I start getting the Spring itch to plant, plant, plant but my rational side tells me, nope!  This is a false Spring.  Don't get fooled again!  The crocuses have arrived.  The tulips and daffodils are poking their heads up.  We've been clearing around perennials, and you can see the beginning of new life.  Spring is close, but it's not quite here... yet!  These are outliers for the arrival, sounds coming over the horizon rather than the song itself.  But step outside, fill your lungs with the air and you know in your heart that Spring is here and will not go away for months.  

There's an old Irish proverb that says, "Your feet will bring you to where your heart is."  Right now, my heart is in the garden.  I'm heading out soon to get my hands a bit dirty and fill my heart with a bit of hope.  Here's to a new week.  A bit of hope, a little faith, and all the love we can give!  Be good to yourself and kind as you journey about.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's cloudy and chilly on this first Friday in Lent.  There is a slight chance of a morning shower but sunshine may show up by this afternoon.  We should see highs near 70-degrees this afternoon.  

Along with warmer temperatures, the Crocuses have arrived.  Is there anything more beautiful than the first sign of Spring poking their little flowers out.  A bit of grace and hope.  It gives us all the planting bug!

The older I get the more I love March.  There is this lovely feeling that the long and harsh days of Winter are behind us and the garden is now given back to the gardener.  You can almost feel the ground shudder with excitement and renewal.
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Lent is also a time of renewal.  A time of waiting, watching, hoping, praying, fasting and at the end, resurrection.  As we begin our Lenten journey here in the garden we are reminded to continue on in faith, hope and love.  These three.  It's a bit difficult these days to remember that hope is a possibility.  That's where the faith part kicks in.  We handle it all with a spirit of love and kindness.  Kindness to ourselves and others.  Love that can change us and those around us.  Faith, Hope and Love. Amen.

It is cold, windy and wet out in the Carondelet Garden on this Ash Wednesday morning.  A very light, wet snow is falling softly out the window and will probably stick around most of the day.  Temperatures are expected to hold steady in the mid-30s.  Hope is on the horizon and the weather should break later this week and next week looks incredible!

Today is Ash Wednesday.  Ash Wednesday calls us back to ancient traditions, where ashes touch our foreheads, whispering of our origins—dust formed by God's hands. The priest's words echo: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." These ashes, laden with meaning, mourn our separation from God and remind us of the fragility of life.

In the stillness of this sacred day, Psalm 51:17 resonates: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." These words invite us to explore the state of our hearts, our worship, and our connection to the Divine.

Our culture shuns brokenness, masking it with strength and composure. Yet, a broken spirit is not despair, it is humility, an offering of vulnerability. In seasons of trial and repentance, we find a promise: God welcomes our brokenness. He gathers the fragments of our hearts, crafting wholeness with His mercy.

Let us not fear our brokenness but embrace it as sacred ground. Here, our Creator meets us, transforms us, and makes His grace shine through us, drawing us closer to our Creator and illuminating His love for the world. Amen.

The sun is shining out in the Carondelet Garden on this first Monday in March.  We should see a mix of clouds and sun with highs reaching into the mid-60s.  Not a bad way to start the work week.  The rains will be moving into Carondelet tomorrow for Fat Tuesday.  

We had our early Mardi Gras celebration with our niece and great-niece.  Of course, the Garden Doodle had to join in on the fun.  Of course, soccer was part of the equation.  The kids introduced Bonny Doon to soccer as a puppy and she has loved her soccer ball ever since.  Bubbles, soccer, a little jazz, some red beans and rice (we used Louis Armstrong's recipe!) and finally a king cake for dessert.  A celebration indeed!

We are having some work done around the old Carondelet Cottage this week.  Tuckpointing the over 100-year-old cottage is a job for professionals.  I've done a bit of spot tuckpointing over the years.  Enough to know that it is definitely not my skillset.  We've been here long enough that we are now tuckpointing areas that we had tuckpointed 40 years ago.  It's so hard to believe!

Take care of your home and it will take care of you.  Some great advice we were given many years ago.  We try to do the maintenance and fix problem areas before they happen if possible.  It is a good way to live our life.  Take care of the little things.  They add up!

I am still praying for all of us right now.  We have an election here in the City of Saint Louis tomorrow.  This is our opportunity to have our voice be heard.  Take a moment and cast a vote.  Make a difference.  As Gandhi once said, "be the change you want to see."  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.