"To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body.
If you let it stay there after it has got you in you may never get over it as long as you live … ”
Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden"
If you let it stay there after it has got you in you may never get over it as long as you live … ”
Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden"
I've been a little worried lately. The lip treatment wasn't fun (and I'm still experiencing the after effects, which aren't pleasant). Time is flying and soon we will leave for our trip but my foot still isn't up to par; I worry a bit about walking. Frances Hodgson Burnett was right about letting bad thoughts get into our minds. It's not so easy to let them fly away.
I had a little time to kill while waiting for meds the other day so it was healing to take a spin around the MSU Children's Garden.
We've visited here before. It was a little different then!
The first thing I noticed was "where are the children?"
The peacock was there.
And the Flamingo and the butterfly.
Mary of "The Secret Garden" was in a field of zinnias.
And the bunny was ready to greet people. But no children.
It was so beautiful, this warm, sunny, early September weekday and the only children I saw were two, coming as I was leaving. OK, school is in session, I get it. But I missed them, their squeals of happiness at the xylophone where they can walk on it and make music with their feet or their delight when running through the maze, seeing a lovely bloom or pondering the moon and star support.
No one was in the "treehouse" fort.
Looking from its elevated height, one could see much of the garden.
Monet's bridge was tranquil and quiet, no little feet scampering over it on this fine day.
There was nary a ripple on the pond, the water reflecting the blue of the sky.
And there was color.
So much color.
Bright walkways.
Cheerful hollyhocks.
Sunflowers that couldn't quit, of every variety and golden hue.
Flowers were everywhere.
Even the fences were jazzed up!
But no children.
When we last visited the sheep, he looked like this:
It felt cold, not dead, really, but not alive, and one wondered how it would ever be spring again. But then, as Frances Hodgson Burnett wrote in "The Secret Garden," "“As long as you have a garden you have a future and as long as you have a future you are alive.” Now our sheep is bathing in the sun.
Soon the pond will freeze over, the petals drop, the blooms dry and fade.
Plants will be pulled out, the ground prepared to weather another snowy winter.
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden,” wrote
46 comments:
Well done! Nicely written. I hope you continue to have a positive outlook. As for the absence of children, let us hope they are in school and not cooped up indoors playing on their iPads.
I think a teacher read "The Secret Garden" to my class in maybe third grade. I don't remember reading it again, but it's all familiar -- so I love your garden photos with the quotes.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I bet they are at school. That's what I hope anyway.
When I go to the Dallas Arboretum I always see moms with little bitty kids playing and having picnics. It makes me happy. :)
Hello, Jeanie!
What a lovely post. Beautifully written! The children's garden is lovely. Gorgeous flowers. I am sure the children are back in school, maybe they enjoy the garden on the weekend. I agree about the dangerous thoughts and worrying too much. Put the bad thoughts out of your mind and go enjoy your trip! Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week ahead!
I just left a comment Jeannie and it disappeared when I hit the publish button. I’ll try again later.
The snowy sheep's my favorite. As for the children, you reminded me of a children's home between Kerrville and Medina that's quite a huge spread, with lots of houses, ponds, tennis courts, etc. I have yet -- after more than twenty-five years of passing the place, to see a single child out playing. We can't figure out what the deal is. Everything, including their online site, looks legit, and surely if there were problems someone would have figured it out by now, but it's just odd. It's as though Scotty came by and beamed them all up!
What a pretty spot for kids of ANY age to enjoy. Sending good wishes that your treatment works well!
What a wonderful garden you visited. That's my sort of place, and the Secret Garden is also a book I visit again and again.Hope you are soon feeling better! Hugs, Valerie
Jeanie, this is such a lovely post. Such a delightful place to let your worries float away for a while. These gardens are a sight to behold, the flowers, topiaries, ponds and bridges and the butterflies. I’m sure children were all over during the weekend but now with school in session it’s a quite place. I do hope your worries floated away here. Go and enjoy your trip. If you are like me you will surprise yourself at all you can do, travel has a way of doing that!
That children's garden is delightful. I love the peacock! It would be hard to be 'down' surrounded by so much beauty.
Sending you healing thoughts that your treatment goes well and your spirit soars high.
What a charming children's garden. I would love to be there when it's full of children. Beautiful photos and words.
I hope there are children there next time you visit. Or that you can take the bigger grand to play there when you visit next. Or both things.
What an enchanting garden. Aren't gardens wonderful places? A packet of seeds or a few cuttings can transform our world. Thanks for the tour.
Oh what a gorgeous garden!
I must admit I like the sheep better with NO SNOW on it! Ready for fall just not ready for the white stuff that could follow later. Beautiful place and pics.
Jeanie, I'm so glad you are over your treatments but sometimes the after effects are worse than the original. That is such a beautiful garden. I would love to see it as I am all about anything "Secret Garden". I think that no matter who is in the garden that a "child" is always there. That is the beauty of the story. Now, channel your inner child and go on your trip with no worries and have a great time..xxoJudy
The children's garden is delightful, Jeanie. So many wonderful things to notice while visiting there. I love that sheep all covered in snow. And the butterflies fluttering about are a sight! Wow, that peacock is grand! The bride made me smile, as it reminded me of a bridge that my kids used to play on when they were little. Thanks for sharing this wonderful place.
Have a wonderful week.
~Sheri
What a lovely garden in your own backyard. Your photos are luscious. The children are certainly in school but hopefully will be back on Saturday or Sunday. A trip there with your grand babies is a wonderful idea. I asked the same question in the pediatrics wing of the hospital...where is everyone?..school was the answer...but hold on till January/February...the place is hoping then. Perhaps more time spent in lovely gardens is the answer. And sending you warm wishes for a speedy recovery for your trip...can't wait to go along for the adventures. Our trip quick to France in October had to be cancelled until we are farther along on the health road. Reminds me of Madeline ..."and to the tigers in the zoo, Madeline just said Poo Poo." Poo Poo Indeed. Stay well, my friend. :)
A lovely post full of beautiful photos. Your grandson is going to love it.
Such a clever post, Jeanie. Your photos are beautiful. Enjoy your week.
I broke my arm etc... etc... it was an infection after all.
Siy months later I had to sign I understand I might loose the function of my right hand - and I just got accepted at uni.
I went pass all the cancer and HIV-people who hardly lived and called my Mum. Crying.
And she was very harsh and said: Be positive, otherwise you´ll really loose your hand.
It was the first time I really tried to think in a positive way. I have my hand OK (my Mum was at my side when I woke up and checked it personally)... :-)
Think positive!!!
EWWW ist that snow???
Awww, my Nieces have a treehouse, too!
I can imagine you gonna paint that bridge soon?
Awwww, beautiful flowers!
That last photo is so beautiful, Jeanie. I do hope you are feeling better and 100% soon. Hugs from Annie & Wilson.
Beautiful post, Jeanie. Be well so you can enjoy your trip. I am sending positive thoughts.
What a lovely garden!
I hope things continue to heal. I relate so much to foot issues and traveling. I have walked the streets and climbed the stairs in the Paris Metro with my feet killing me. The last time we were there we took stock that we were older and spending a little more money and taking cabs was a wise thing to do. You can't get back your health.
It's also ok to take a few extra Advil!
I'll be praying for you to heal quickly.
That’s it Jeanne . . .
if you are at the place where children seem to go . . .
And there are none there . . .
Bring your own . . .
And the garden will come alive . . .
I wonder where all the grownups were too . . .
It looks like such a lovely, fun place to be . . .
Sorry to hear about your discomforts . . .
I think I asked, do you have a walking stick?
I wonder if one of those foldable walker, seat like things could be rented in some of the areas you are traveling??
How are you feeling today, my friend? How is your lip doing? I love this post......wow!--so many pretty pictures! I love all the pretty flowers! Perhaps all the kids are just in school.....but I have definetly notice a trend the past ten years....all summer long I look up at Mr. Front Porch an say" Hear that?' and he will say" what?--I don't hear anything" and I'll say "yes, precicely!"----there is no loud yelling and happy song children anymore!It's eerie in a way. And awful sad. When I was little, even if it was hot outside, we PLAYED OUTSIDE all day until the sun set. We had sprinklers, small pools, popsicles, cold Kool-Aid, blankets underneath shade trees to cool down. We went barefoot and little girls wore "sunsuits" and little boys wore cut off jeans. Of course we'd never heard of computers or phones or phone games or any of that. Summer is just awful quiet these days......Even the playgrounds are empty and so are the parks. Thanks for the well wishes.......yes, bad Hurricane Florence is bearing down on us. Our hurricane plan is going into effect.
That garden is still gorgeous, even if the kids were missing. Maybe it was too early or too late in the day for them. Nap time or lunchtime or maybe the library was having story time. Or maybe there is a cranky gardner who yelled at them and they all stay away now so not to ruin the flowers. Think positive thoughts. Your foot and lip will be ready before you leave if you keep positive. hugs-Erika
I love that you quoted The Secret Garden in the post! And we do need to guard our thoughts. I hope your lip and knee both feel better soon!
The garden is beautiful, and I guess the children are all in school and the little ones are in daycare...but wow did they ever miss a gorgeous day!
The garden was beautiful at all angles, but I would wonder where the children were too. Hoping your lip and feet are much better very soon and your trip is magical. BTW I see you are going to visit a dear friend, Tara, when traveling. Give her a hug from me.
Nicely written, Jeanie! Yes, "where are the children" I often ask, even as a teacher. Where are the children of wonder, of imagination? Sometimes I feel that modern technology has stolen their imaginations, kindness and innocence. But, as long as there is a garden, there IS a future. Happy healing to you dearest Jeanie!
So sorry you're still struggling a bit, my friend... Do hope you'll be feeling better all around. Chemo cream--what an amazing thing! And hope you will be able to walk well during your trip--not long now! How BEAUTIFUL is this garden, and such clever ways with plants, flowers and art! It's exciting and engaging, but also calming, restorative. Do hope more children will visit--and big people to... too wonderful a place to miss out on! Do hope you'll have a chance to go back to this garden soon... And I'd love to see a pic of you riding the sheep!! :))) ((HUGS))
I love the pictures of the butterflies! And the sunflowers are gorgeous. I can't help thinking that maybe it's a good thing there weren't many children there; maybe there aren't very many sick kids there at the moment.
I hope you're doing better, and that your lip is healing quickly.
Jeanie, I so hope your foot and lip recover soon. Having a major trip in the near future can cause concern, I am sure. The gardens are exquisite and my little one would absolutely love it. Stunning photography!
I do hope you feel better soon Jeanie so you can travel, it won't be fun if you can't walk. Positive thoughts always!
The children's garden is beautiful, love the peacock and flamingo.
Beautiful garden Jeanie! And don't you worry, when school's out the children will come and they will jump and climb up on the tower and pet the sheep.
I'm so pleased to hear the good news about your lip Jeanie but sorry to hear of your worries. The after effects will wear off. I'm sure you have a really good pair of walking shoes, and maybe you will have to spend a little more time than planned simply stopping for cake and coffee and people watch.
That's a lovely fun garden. It's quiet here now that the children are back to school, but the young ones play out on the green after school, it's lovely to hear their chatter and laughter :-) xx
What a beautiful garden, Jeanie! It looks like children would love it! There are many workibg parents so many little ones go to daycare or preschools during the day. I'm sure that they still get a chan e to visit this garden on weekends and hokidays.
I used chemo cream on my nose a few times--it's painless till the peeling occurs a week or so later, but ut healed quickly after that. It worked well at removing atinic keratosis sun dsmage.
Enjoy your upcoming trip! I dream of Paris--hope to see it someday!
The garden is beautiful and there is so much to discover. I'm sure your grandson will have lots of fun there.
I wish you a speedy recovery and hope you'll feel much better soon, Jeanie.
Thanks for stopping by and your well wishes! Nope!!--we aren't taking any chances!!---I'm too old for that nonsense, ha ha ha LOL The closer this Hurricane Florence gets as she starts bearing down on us though, it just gets scarier and scarier. Looks like she's gonna be a BAD ONE....
Beautiful and thoughtful words to accompany the vivid photos. Parents work, children are in school as you pointed out, and grandparents may wait for the weekend to bring the little ones. I bet there was a whirl of activity in the Children's Garden a month ago, but you were at the lake!
Medical issues can feel daunting. I stayed awake several nights in a row (to my irritation) before we went to Berlin, because of my foot, but it wasn't like I feared at all. That garden is enchanting and seems so well tended. I am sure the local kids love it (and I would love it too!). Kids' activities go in fits and starts. Sometimes everyone's doing just one thing so maybe they're all busy somewhere else right now!
What a beautiful space! I would love to visit a place like that with Paul when he is a little older. It looks like it was a picture perfect day!!
This is a beautiful place and what a perfect spot for children. I hope that they aren't indoors watching tv or on iPads.
Jeanie, I am so glad you linked this post, it was a thrill to revisit it. Thanks for supporting Gardens Galore and for linking your beautiful posts!
Jeanie, The children's garden is beautiful even without the children! Love the peacock and The Secret Garden references. Hope your lip and foot continue to heal. ♥
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