It's a bit overcast this morning here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  The sun is trying to peak through the clouds.  The weather prognosticators are calling for rain and possible thunderstorms later this morning and into the afternoon.  Of course, we can use the rain, but not heavy storms, thank you very much.

We were gifted tickets from our wonderful neighbors to The Muny last night to see the Carole King musical:  Beautiful.  Sadly, we have not been to The Muny for many years and they have really upped their game technologically.  The sets and lighting and projections were amazing.  We enjoyed the music, of course.  The weather was almost the star of the show as it was the perfect evening for a production under the stars.

It's a day to relax, renew and rejuvenate.  Exactly what Sabbath was intended to do.  A bit of prayer and meditation this Sunday morning.  The coffee is ready.  The @nytimes has arrived.  Life is good.  I hope you have a chance to do the 3R's for yourself this Ordinary Sabbath.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

We are having another perfect beginning to the weekend here in the Carondelet Garden.  Yesterday we visited @stlartmuseum to tour the Monet exhibit.  What a glorious afternoon.  The incredible garden paintings inspired us to scratch off a couple more plants off of our wishlist.

We headed out west to visit our friends @greenscapegarden_stl and were thrilled to find these four beautiful perennials.  They have a beautiful selection of plants, trees, shrubs and supplies.  Their staff is also incredibly helpful.  We had a great visit.  

You now know how my Saturday morning is going to be spent.  We are heading out to plant our new babies.  We also have the fun of puppy-sitting our neighbor's doggo.  That will be so much fun!  We love the sweet girl.  

A busy Saturday on tap for the old gardener from Carondelet.  I hope you get the chance to commune with nature.  A little garden prayer and meditation on a sunny Saturday in June.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

A busy day on tap for the old gardener from Carondelet.  We are heading out to see the Monet exhibit at the Saint Louis Art Museum.  What a privilege it is to have such an amazing art museum here in our own city.  I know I take so much of what Saint Louis has to offer for granted.  With all of our problems, we have so much to take pride in.  

It's a good day for a good day as they say.  Be kind to yourself and others as you travel about this Ordinary Friday.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.  

It's a lovely start to the day here in the Carondelet Garden in sunny South Saint Louis on this Ordinary Thursday in June.  The watering is done for now.  I'm trying to get everything watered very early to prevent any issues.  We had some trouble with Rust on our Hollyhocks last year.  This year they are doing well for now.  We learn from our mistakes, hopefully!

It's going to be a warm one today with highs in the low 90s so watering has become crucial once again.  I enjoy the ritual of watering the plants by hand.  I do use a sprinkler on occasion, but the solitude and mindfulness of watering by hand is meditative and prayerful for this old man.  The simple, repetitive, quiet routine of watering.  Not unlike our lives in many ways.  The routines we create to live a life of faith, hope and love are also quiet, repetitive and simply ordinary.  

I'm thinking of, and praying for, friends who are mourning loss this week.  We know the process all too well, but it is still difficult for the loved ones remaining.  Loss is hard.  Grief takes time.  Faith, hope and love sustain, and memories provide a bit of solace.  They say time heals, and it is true to a certain extent.  Yet, healing is a process.  Grieving is a process that shouldn't be rushed or hurried.  Faith, hope and love endure.  Amen.

It's another beautiful beginning of the day here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  It's a slow start to the day as I'm a bit tuckered after two long days of planting and moving plants.  I think I'm going to sit back and enjoy the morning with another cup of coffee and the @nytimes. 

We visited several garden centers yesterday and are ticking off our wish list.  The words came out of my mouth once again, "I want this one.  I'll find a place for it!"  Of course, I did.  I can always find room for one more plant.  

The watering has begun again after the lovely rainfall of last weekend, but that's just life as a gardener.  We do the repetitive things.  We put in the daily work to reap the rewards of a bountiful harvest, hopefully!  A bit like prayer and mindfulness.  It can sometimes feel like you are just repeating yourself and doing the same thing over and over but the results happen.  

Take some time for yourself today if you can.  Even a few minutes to just sit and listen and quiet the soul.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It is a gorgeous morning here in the Carondelet Garden on this Ordinary Tuesday in June.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the music is playing in the background.  What a great way to begin the day.

Yesterday was one of those great gardening days.  The weather was so perfect to get out and weed, mow, move plants, harvest beans, and just putter around.  I am a world-class putterer.  There's nothing I love more than just puttering around in the garden.  I accomplished so much of my list of "to-do's" yesterday.  I feel so accomplished.  

The ornamental alliums are ready to burst into flowers any day now.  What a glorious sight they are with the white and blue flowers that last and last and last.  What a fun addition to the flower garden.  We are heading out to pick up a few things at the garden center this morning.  Who knows what we may find?  

It's a good day for a good day!  Be good and be kind to yourself on this Tuesday in June.  You deserve it!  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a cool start to this Monday morning in June here in the Carondelet Garden.  The thermometer read 55-degrees when I stepped outside to water the hanging baskets.  An old, big bear like me enjoys the cool beginning of the day.  A gorgeous start to the week here in South Saint Louis.

This weekend's lovely rains have made such a difference here in the garden.  Everything simply looks happier and much less thirsty!  A perfect rain came down here in Carondelet.  I couldn't have planned a better, soaking rain.  True grace!

I read a book once that described Grace this way, and I paraphrase because I don't remember the exact quote, "Grace means there is nothing you can do to make God love you more... AND there is nothing you can do to make God love you less."  Powerful!  We all need to remember that definition of GRACE.  

Here's to a wonderful week filled with Grace.  Filled with love unearned but abundant and free.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

"Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul!" the old hymn goes.  I feel it this morning as the lovely rains from heaven are soaking the garden with much-needed moisture.  It is indeed a beautiful morning here in South Saint Louis.

It's been a bit of a week here in the Carondelet Garden.  Isn't that how it is sometimes?  It comes in waves.  Now the rains have come.  It feels a bit like grace falling upon the garden this morning.  My hope bucket is filling up as the rain falls.  It's a good day to relax and renew.

Isn't that what sabbath is all about?  Relax and renew for the coming week.  This morning is about the next cup of coffee.  A bit of music playing on the old smart speaker.  A real, old-fashioned newspaper sitting next to my chair.  Relax. Renew. Recharge.  

I hope you have an opportunity to relax, renew and recharge this Sunday in June.  I hope your bucket of faith, hope and love is being filled as well.  We all need to have a bit of reserve for when the drought comes again.  A bit of grace in the form of a rain shower.  Amen to that! 

It's a lovely morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  We finally had to replace our Winter Pansies this past week.  They lasted from late October of last Fall until early June.  Pretty good bang for my buck!  We replaced with some lovely Wave Petunias in dark blue.  They are doing well.  The entire garden could use a bit of heavenly moisture which is, hopefully, on tap for late this evening and into tomorrow.  

It's going to be a good weekend.  We get to attend a one-year-old's birthday party tomorrow.  Sweet little girl is just as happy and healthy as can be.  Looking forward to visiting with friends and spending a bit of time with some wee ones!  A true joy and privilege.  

Here's to a bit of gentle rains upon the gardens and lawns of South Saint Louis this weekend.  A bit of refreshing water to wash away the smog and renew the soil.  Here's to a bit of faith, some hope, and a outpouring of love this weekend.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others!  We could all use a bit of that right now.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

The sun is shining, and the birds are singing, and the Lantana is blooming here in the Carondelet Garden on this Ordinary Friday in June.  Another beautiful day in South Saint Louis.  The sunshine is lovely, but we could still use a bit of heavenly moisture here in the Garden.  The watering regime continues but there appears to be some relief coming this Sunday.  

The work continues.  The healing is ongoing.  It has been a week this week.  Friends who have lost family members and dealing with health issues for aging parents.  Healing for this old gardener. We pause and pray.  Life happens in the most unexpected ways.  The good news is we are loved through it.  A bit of faith, a smattering of hope and the love of a creator who cares about the tiniest things.  We don't go through the struggles alone.  

It's Friday in Ordinary Time.  A simple, ordinary Friday for a simple, ordinary old gardener in South Saint Louis.  Be good and be kind to yourself and others as you travel about this beautiful day.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

​It's a gorgeous morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  The Celosia are looking quite lovely right now.  If you’re in the mood to plant something a little different to dazzle your neighbors and make them say ooh and ahh, consider planting a few flamingo cockscomb plants. Growing this bright, eye-catching annual couldn’t be much easier.  Dirt, sun, and water.  A bit of fertilizer on occasion. 

I've actually had a bit of time to read this week as I'm convalescing from my recent dental escapades.  This quote from Mirabia Starr hit me, "Once you know the God of Love, you fire all the others gods."  It's always hard for me to believe in the nonjudgmental, loving, and merciful God, and yet, that is the God we actually have.  We don't measure up to this God, we just show up.  We behold the one looking at us with nothing but love.  That's the God of Love.

The sun is shining here in the Garden this Thursday in June.  It's lovely and quiet.  I'm believing, in this moment, in the God of Love.  I don't measure up, but it doesn't matter.  I can see the Creator in his creation all around me.  It's time to fire all the other gods.  Amen.

It's a cloudy morning here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  We are hooping for a bit of heavenly moisture, but it doesn't look very promising.  On the other hand, this is Saint Louis so who knows?  

It's a quiet day around here today.  I'm taking it easy and healing after the Dentist's visit on Monday.  Every day is a bit better, and things will be back to normal soon.  Right now, I'm trying to relax and rejuvenate this old body.  

Be good and be kind to yourself as you travel about this Wednesday in Ordinary Time.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

A simply stunning beginning to this Tuesday in Ordinary Time.  It's beautiful here in the Carondelet Garden this morning.  The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the flowers are bursting forth in glory.  "Oh, what a beautiful morning!" as they sang in Oklahoma!

I love my Scots-Irish ancestry.  I love the music, the lilt of an Irish brogue, the tradition of storytelling and drink.  I love the spirituality and the welcoming spirit.  I love the Scottish phrase, "Coorie in!"  Come in, sit down, relax.  You are safe here.  You are welcome here.  Be cozy and comforted.  It's a way of loving your neighbor.  Inviting those who are wearing of walking through this broken world to "coorie in" to a place of welcome and kindness.  Isn't that what our creator is doing for us?  "Coorie in!" You are safe here and welcome.  You are loved!  As Matthew says, "Come... I will give you rest!"

It's a beautiful day here in South Saint Louis.  I wish you comfort and kindness on this Tuesday in Ordinary Time. That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

A lovely morning here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  The green beans are doing their thing this Monday in June.  Looking forward to the fresh beans soon!  Nothing like eating fresh right out of the garden.

We watered everything quite well yesterday.  We did get a few spot showers, but nothing added up to much.  I heard from friends that they received quite a bit of rain but that was not the case here in Carondelet.  Everything does look a bit brighter this morning after yesterday's soak. 

A new week, a new day, another opportunity to create a bit of beauty and joy in the world around us.  Be good to yourself and others.  Be kind to the person staring back at you in the mirror this morning.  You deserve some kindness today.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a lovely start to this Sunday morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  As it has been many days since our last rainfall, my morning begins as it has, with watering.  I've developed a watering schedule now.  I'm trying to stagger the beds and keep everything looking lovely and healthy.  We could use a bit of heavenly moisture for sure!

My Lily of the Valley bush (Pieris Japonica) is doing quite well in the back garden.  We planted her a few weeks ago and she is adjusting quite nicely to her new home.  I love this plant.  We had one for many years that succumbed to some sort of plague a few years back.  I wanted to wait before trying to replant to make sure the new one would not be infected as well.  We lost our Japonica, two Rhododendrons and several Azaleas that same year.  I'm still unsure as to what happened.

It is such a joy to spend these quiet moments with the plants each morning.  The Garden becomes a sanctuary.  A haven for retreat and refuge from the struggles of life.  It's been a week this week. I have had a few struggles, but the Garden is my shelter and safe harbor.  A loving, holy place where I feel closer to the creator of life.  The Psalms call God "an ever-present help in trouble."  In fact, the word "refuge" is used 43 times in the Psalms alone.  Each time referring to God as our safe refuge, our sanctuary.  My prayer is that we each may find our own have for retreat and refuge from the struggles of life and fall into the arms of the one who created us and loves us, just the way we are right now.  Amen.

It's Butterfly Saturday here in the Carondelet Garden.  We spent yesterday afternoon visiting our friends @gardenheights to pick up this stunning Pugster Periwinkle dwarf butterfly bush.  We've been wanting one for the longest time but did not have space for the regular variety.  This gorgeous dwarf butterfly bush will make an excellent addition to the Carondelet Garden.

Dwarf butterfly bushes grow to a maximum of between two and three feet in height and are semi-deciduous plants. Dwarf Butterfly bushes are fairly hardy shrubs.  While butterfly bushes are considered to be an invasive species in some regions, that shouldn’t be a problem here in the Carondelet Garden.

Despite needing direct sunlight and nutrient-rich, aerated soil, the dwarf butterfly bush can grow in a variety of terrain and climates. The dwarf butterfly bush simply needs some sunlight, water, and good soil to thrive.

The dwarf butterfly bush is semi-deciduous in our neighborhood. This usually happens once a year during the fall season. The entire plant will become bare and brittle until springtime. During spring, new leaves will start to grow and the tree will begin to grow once more.

A beautiful, hot Saturday in South Saint Louis.  Be good to yourself and to those you may pass on your journey.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

It's a lovely, sunny warm morning here in the Carondelet Garden.  We've added a new Rhododendron to the front garden.  Very excited about this new addition. Don't you love flowering plants?

It's a work day here in the garden this morning.  We harvested all of the lettuce this past week and will be replacing it with some lovely annuals to enjoy for the rest of the summer.  We love the added color and beauty.  Our Snap Peas are producing a ton of blossoms right now so very excited about that.  Tomatoes are looking really good as well.  They love this warmer weather.  It's an exciting time in the gardening world.

It's a good day for a good day.  I'm practicing joy this weekend.  We all need a bit of joy in our lives.  Here to some goodness and kindness in our world.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Welcome back to Ordinary Time!  The Lantana are loving the sunshine, but the lack of rain is making watering my part-time job so far this Spring.  No storms, but a wee, soft, gentle soaking rain would be more than welcome right now.  

While pruning succors off of my tomato plants yesterday I was amazed at the number of fruits I found beginning their journey to tomato sauce.  Such a joy to see nature doing its thing in such a glorious manner.  I'm excited at the prospect of things to come!

I saw a sign the other day that really made me stop for a minute:  "Everyone wants a Revolution.  Nobody wants to do the Dishes."  It got me to thinking about how I often dream of the grand things.  We want change and we want it now.  I know I can get so impatient for stuff to happen, but the reality is that the work of change is daily and repetitive.  Again and again, I need to repent and believe and begin again.  The work is quiet, repetitive and ordinary.  It happens day after day after day.  Yes, sometimes the revolution or the revelation happens, and it is mind blowing.  Then the work continues.  I have to remind myself to do the work.  The weeds do not pull themselves.  Prayer needs to happen whether I feel like it or not.  My work continues. Amen!