Vision

     When I first moved out here a little over five years ago, I had a vision for what I wanted the place to look like.  The vision, of course, was for the outside.  I wasn't too concerned about the house itself--sorry ladies--but I made plans to beautify the acres.  I did re-do one of the rooms in the house--the library--and I did remove a "garage-like" structure that was in front of the house just so I could sit and see the entire front of my property.  That worked out well because the library is now my mom's room, and she can sit at the double front doors and see everything.  Hmmm.  I guess I had better not fix up anymore rooms. =)  Where would I put everybody?
     Anyway, my vision for the outside had the following goals:

      Number 1:  From March 15th until frost, a person (me--you if you drop by) should be able to stand anywhere on the property and see beautiful flowers or flowering shrubs and trees.  That goal has been accomplished, I think.  I have added 29 or so gardens/areas that contain flowers and flowering shrubs and trees.  And I try to add one or two more each year.  For example, last year I put in two single iris beds--beds in which all the iris will be the same color, a small wild flower garden, and a flowering tree "arbor" of sorts.  Not quite sure what I'll do this year, but I'll come up with something. =)
     Number 2:  Keep it wild.  No Better Homes and Garden attitude here.  Now, I have enclosed with wood and brick most of the gardens, but nothing "showy," I promise.  And I will enclose a couple of the other flower garden areas as well eventually.  But wildness is the theme.  I've let the bog grow up, let trees stay where they fall, left the driveway a path--no new gravel, let the wildflower area grow unfettered--thistles, and brambles are welcome.  The only exception I've made is to clear part of the back area.  And hopefully I will add a picnic table and chairs out there someday.
     Number 3:  Think future.  I have planted lots of things here--trees mostly--that will never bloom or mature in my lifetime.  They are for whoever gets this place after I'm gone.  Well, if I live to be 97 like my mom, I'll see them, but the likelihood of that are minimal at best.  I know there's a danger in this.  Solomonitis I call it.  Whoever comes after me may not be a flower lover.  They may mow down all the small trees and shrubs that haven't matured yet, and they may let the back grow up again because they don't want to bother taking care of it (mowing all that acreage).  There may be a Rehoboam coming after me.  I'll just have to find someone who loves flowers that I can leave my place to--if they want it.  I know Brad and Ben are city folks so they're not interested.  And I don't know if others that I have in mind can afford it.  Or could stand living in a shack for a while until they can update it to fit their standard of living.  But time will tell. 
     Actually, I hope I never get my vision totally completed.  What fun would that be to have nothing to add each year?  Yuk.  No winter of expectations.  A completed vision may lead to blindness.  And besides, just about every time I walk my acres a new idea comes to me.  Or when I talk to my mom, she comes up with something new to try.  Hopefully, stagnation will never set in.  So, today as I walk--snow and all--I will imagine the gardens in full bloom, imagine all the trees and shrubs grown and mature and being enjoyed by another lover of God's creation, imagine a new way to do things or a new way to make a section of the acres more beautiful, imagine . . .