I never think of death, but I am profoundly aware, at the age of 75, that the greater part of my life is behind me. At this time of the year, there is virtually no window in my home that I can look out of that does not reflect the efforts of my gardening with brilliant colors.
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From the first of the daffodils, grape hyacinths, tulips to the roses, lilacs, peonies and more that continue from the last frost to the first frost the perennials color my world. Each year I say no more gardening as I can no longer do the weeding and can no longer find reliable and affordable help, but I always succumb to a another perennial and several annuals.
During the summer I think about the garden’s brown blandness that will come during the long winter months and it is during the summer that I paint birdhouses to hang in the gardens and on the fence coming up the long driveway to my home. Currently there are at least 115 birdhouses.
We have lots of birds and they use the plain birdhouses, but I paint the colorful ones for the winter garden and it brightens my view from the many windows of the house during those bleak months when the colorful flowers are no long there.
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Painting the birdhouses has a calming effect on me. It takes me totally away from the daily chores and business of living. It is really easy to do. I rarely make the birdhouses and mostly buy the unpainted one’s whenever I can find them on sale.
I give them a base coat, let it dry and then decide what to put on them. My hands, at this stage of life, are shaky, but that does not deter me. Sometimes I randomly just paint a design. Other times I draw what I want such as this Fire Station or Fruit Stand. Once I finish painting them I put a couple of final coats of exterior varnish on them so they will last quite awhile in the weather over many seasons.
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They are always colorful and are often a conversation starter from a visitor who may not have ever been to Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center.
Along the way I have learned many techniques of one stroke painting and that opens the doors to many other artistic endeavors such as murals, painting furniture and more. It is amazing how one can expand one’s mind and talents from such a simple endeavor as painting a birdhouse. I wholeheartedly recommend the Donna Dewberry Books
As I said, “I never think of death.” Yet I realize that I am now the oldest living person in my family tree. The seeds I have planted in my garden and in my life will go on with my perennials and my children. Hopefully, the birdhouses will help the birds continue and I will continue with my serious painting and of course adding colorful birdhouses to the winter gardens.
“Tread the Earth Lightly”
and in the meantime… May your day be filled with….
Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
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Hi Arlene,
You think of life.
anir
i live in So Florida and i really need to do gardening, my surroundings need it. But it is sooo hot outhere! I have no desire to work in that environment. I have a bare spot where no grass will grow and it looks ugly. Most of the time there is shade in that area, but right now there is sun, do not understand why grass will not grow. It looks so ugly. I am going to attempt it again. Being in SoFlo the dirt is very salty like a beach since most of these areas were filled to built houses. Any suggestions for that bare spot? I know the key to having a pretty garden is to do this while the weather is great, like February-April. But i never get to do it then either. I envy those that can work outside for hours with dirt. BTW i live on the everglades, literally. We have birds of all kinds and you will not believe their colors! Butterflies and also beasts, unfortunately. You have beautiful birdfeeders. I bought a few which attracted birds but also attracted rats. So i had to take them down. Too bad, i really liked the birds.
About an oleander plant. They do very well in Florida
how about cactus or a rock garden? Those are not bird feeders. They are birdhouses. Rats never bother bird houses? Mine are mostly for color in the winter or are put in places where there are no flowers.
Think about putting in some garden stones, round or square and then setting some large containers on them with some geraniums or other colorful flowers in them that do not have to be tended to. Perhaps a small bench as a place to sit in the shade and read. Create something different and inviting.
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
I was also going to suggest some kind of stone base (I also have seen on HGTV the use of some recycled crushed glass as mulch–comes in many colors and is really kind of neat looking)….and then do some container gardening….love container gardening, and have found some very cool things over the years to add variety and interest….and the bench idea is great….you can not only add color with the flowers, but also with the pottery and with the crushed glass….I believe the glass is called Enviroglas
Excellent Suggestions, Sunblossom.
Thanks for your input.
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
the area is a bit slanted and when it rains a lot, it floods and the stones do not stay put, they move to the bottom of the slant. The bench thing is a great idea. I just saw sunshine over the weekend whereas i thought it was just shade back there. I am going to try grass again. Then decorate with container plants. I have to take an energy drink or something in order ot tackle the job. It is soooooooooo hot! Thanks for all your suggestions. I will check out the bird houses. The birds actually go in there? Your yard looks great, a beautiful place to sit and read. My kind of garden. I love roses but they don’t grow in Florida, i tried to no avail.
You have a lot more living to do. Enjoy!
You Betcha!
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
Love the birdhouse and all the flowers, so pretty. I could just sit and read and admire GODs handy work with your help….TRACK
thanks track.
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
Arlene, your beautifully painted birdhouses are a feast for the eyes and spirit. Long may you create!
Thanks Crystalli,
It is raining again today so I just finished painting a new one called, “Peep Elementary” Again a “one of a kind” birdhouse as no two are every alike. I rarely put them up for sale. However, This one is up for sale for only $34.00 and comes with an artist signed Certificate of Authenticity and an artist bio. It is sealed so it can be put outside in your garden, on patio or porch and also makes a great affordable gift. So check it out by clicking here. All my proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
Woof — great painting!!! Who builds your birdhouses?? Do You??? Gorgeous garden!! You are on the way to title of “Eternal Youth” — I vote for you!!
Hi Maggie De
I mostly buy them when they are on sale at 30 or 40% off in a craft store. Sometimes I buy them at a flea market or yard sale for $1.00 if they are in good condition and then I give them a new base coat painting and go from there.
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll
I love the line in your post ” there is virtually no window I cannot look out of that does not reflect the efforts of my gardening.” I too am an ardent gardener and have made it an ongoing project to have beautiful colorful blooming or green views out of all of my windows also! My bathroom has a window over the tub and shower. The view out the window is beautiful to me. Large oaks in the background with their branches bending low, azaleas underneath are beautiful when they bloom, cannas in bloom right now and an absolutely gorgeous bleeding heart vine that I love. I stand in that shower every morning and relish the beauty that my efforts along with God’s hand have provided me. I even enjoy weeding, I guess that is the neatnik in me! Clean weed free gardens are beautiful. They aren’t always that way mind you! Keep painting your birdhouses if they give you joy, and you and others will reap the rewards of your efforts for years to come.
Hi Deidre,
How wonderful that you also made your life beautiful with flowers. I do not mind the weeding also, but my body does. One of my two art studios has 2 mammouth windows in it and they have the most glorious floral views.
Tread the Earth Lightly” and in the meantime… May your day be filled with…. Peace, Light and Love
Arlene Wright-Correll