Today was a gorgeous day, the temperature reached almost 60°! I went for a long walk with my daughter and a short walk with Lilly! It felt wonderful to finally be outside and get a little exercise again. Lilly was glad to be out walking again too!
I had walked around the house on Saturday to see if I had a crocus in bloom, and didn't find anything. I was pleasantly surprised today when I saw one in bloom!
I pulled a few weeds, and thought about cleaning up in the flower beds a little. I didn't get around to it because I sat on the patio just basking in the warmth and enjoying the moment.
It will probably be raining for the next few days, but at least we had a respite from the cold, and now we know that spring is very, very close because we got a wonderful taste of it today.
One lone flower, but a wonderful harbinger of spring.
Libby has enjoyed the wheat grass that I planted for her.
My sweet mother-in-law is in the final stages of Alzheimer's. Last month when they weighed her she weighed only 77 pounds. I'm pretty sure she weighs less than that now. It is heartbreaking to watch her slowly waste away.
I didn't do much winter sowing this year because I didn't want to baby plants all winter and then have to abandon them while taking care of Mom in her last days. We know that it is just a matter of time before she passes away. In fact we are simply amazed at her strength and will to live. I planted so many seeds last year only to have most of them die while I was in Alabama caring for my dad during his lung cancer surgery. I just didn't have the heart to have that happen again.
I do have a few things planted using my indoor growing system. I have Purple Wave petunias, penstemon, parsley and cilantro. The only seeds I have bought this year, so far, are zinnias and sunflowers. The rest of the seeds were collected from my flowers last fall. I should still have plenty of flowers...
Robin, your crocuses are such a wonderful sign of spring! They give me hope. :) I'm very sorry about your mother-in-law and I hope you are able to enjoy the time you have left with her.
ReplyDeleteI love your purple crocus. I hope your MIL is comfortable in her last days. Bless you for caring for her.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you have purple at your house. A true 'spring' color! And the warm sunshine ~ lucky girl!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your mom-in-law. It's never easy watching someone you love struggle. Warm thoughts.
Your mother-in-law reminds me of my husband's grandmother. She had alzheimers too, and lost so much weight because she wouldn't eat more than 2 or 3 bites at a time. Just love her while she is with you and know that God is with all of you at this time. You all are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteYour crocus is beautiful, a wonderful sign of spring.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Your post about your mother-in-law brought flash backs of my own mother & mother-in-law. My MIL passed last May, suffering from Ahlzheimers also. My mother wasted away to nothing,maybe 90 pounds, from pancreatic cancer. If you can find it, there is a Southern Gospel song by The Bishops that spoke to me. It was "Forever Springtime". My mother also passed away in May, after watching the trees & flowers put on an exceptional show for her. Bless your heart...I'll be praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteRobin, what a lovely, caring post. The photos of the crocus are luscious, but the macro shot brings out the ruffled stamen so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to put into words my thoughts on your mother-in-law and you. May your family find peace and a gentle leaving as you help her from this world to the next.
Blessings to all of you.
The crocus is beautiful...You will be blessed with a wonderfully beautiful garden because of your dedication to caring for your MIL. Prayers are being sent up for your blessing to come down. May the peace that surpasses understanding fill your heart.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post Robin. Crocus most often are the heralds of spring. They push up right through the snow and give us hope for new life of the new season. My heart goes out to you for your dear MIL~ xxxVicki
ReplyDeleteI hope that you garden provides you with peace during this difficult time. You are a special lady to help your mother-in-law in her last days.
ReplyDeleteOh the beauty of that first spring flower.Isn't is amazing how spring heralds new life while at the other end is your Mother-in-law waiting to be released from her body? God's ways are higher than ours.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
What can I say...I've been through this horrible disease with my Mom. You are a special person to help her now...when she needs you. You're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteBalisha
Dear Robin, so sorry to hear of your MIL's illness. My husband's mother is 90 and is still mobile with her Alzheimer's.
ReplyDeleteTake care of yourself, too.
Cameron
Dear Robin, The crocus in your yard are a real treat to see...I'm glad spring is making a show in Indiana! So sorry to hear of you MIL's decline.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you and please do take care of yourself. gail
Robin, even a day or two of warmer weather fills us with hope for the coming of spring. Days like these are meant to be enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteAlzheimer's deprives one of dignity and puts burdens on family that should not have to be borne. My prayers to you all.
Hello: Isn't it wonderful to see that first bloom of the season. I have just the tips of some tulips out at the back foundation wall where it is warm.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear of your Mother-in-Law's illness. It is hard to watch a loved one pass away. My dear friend passed away a month agon and it is so heart wrenching to have her not here in my life anymore. I can just remember the good times, the laughs and the joy they gave us. Valerie
Absolutely stunning shots of the flowers! WOW!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your MIL!
It's so nice to have those warm Spring days that make us feel so alive.
ReplyDeleteIt is heart-wrenching to watch a loved one wither away. I took care of my MIL during her illness as well and it certainly takes a toll on the caregivers.
Our hearts go out to you and your family.
First I am very sorry about your Mother-In-Law. It is heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are just stunning to say the least. Evidence Spring is here. I love the mosaic on your header and that Royal Albert cup and saucer was a favorite of mine. It blends well with the flowers.
Robin, your crocus and cosmos pictures are just gorgeous-what an amazing photographer you are! I am very sorry about you mother-in-law. Prayers for her, you and your family.
ReplyDeleteNow it's just 1 crocus, soon many more wonderful blooms will follow and Spring will be there in full throttle.
ReplyDeleteI know your MIL has been ill these past few years and now the end is coming. She is fortunate in both her son and DIL who care for her and look after her so very much.
My heart goes out to you and your family, Robin.
HI, Robin, Thank you for your visit today. Nice to see you! I love the photo of your mother in law. She looks beautiful. She seems to be moving towards heaven in a very gracious way, even though to us it probably seems severe. I'm just noting her intrinsic beauty. Blessings on her journey home. xoxo
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful images. I love purple flowers. Spring flowers are just so sweet! ..... I also love that super photo of the cutest little bird on your older post....
ReplyDeleteOff to read some more of your older posts.....
Have a lovely day! xo
Your crocuses are beautiful. I had them a couple of weeks ago, but we are quite a bit farther south than you. They are one of my favorite spring flowers, and I caught quite a few honeybees visiting mine.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your mother in law. It is terrible to see people waste away, I know. I witnessed two different neighbors do exactly that, and I am not looking forward to watching my mother decline. Although right now I'm not holding her breath. She is still building up her cow/calf herd as if she is planning to live for another 20 years, and since she's only 82, that could happen.
I love the annuals that reseed themselves, I have those cosmos too. They are wonderful. Zinnias and marigolds are great too. I'm hoping to get a good hollyhock stand started.
Robin, thanks so much for stopping by my place and leaving your kind kind words. I've enjoyed seeing your blog tonight. I really enjoyed looking at your bird photos on your next post. I'm so sorry to hear about your mil. My mother passed away with alzheimers and it was one of the sadest more difficult times of my life. Take care and God bless you for caring for her.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad tat your mother in law has you to take care of her. I was so far away when my mother had a stroke and then spent 2 months with her as first she was in hospital and then a nursing home. There was really nothing I could do except visit. It is heartbreaking. But, the garden goes on even in our absence and I know what you mean about the native cosmos and verbena b. I love both those plants and I'm sure they will be back again this year. I did try some seeds which were supposed to have yellows but they all turned out to be orange. Sometimes seeds can be so disappointing.
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