My Ugly Garden has a visitor
June 4, 2009
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Liz McDonnell
YOURHOME.CA
I know you were all looking forward to my continuing to write about ground cover this week, but something told me that I needed to put that on the back burner.
Last week, My Ugly Garden and I had an important visitor arrive. This visitor only comes around once every two-and-a-half years or so, so when the visitor is here, it's big. Last week, My Ugly Garden met my father.
This is not the first time M.U.G. and my father have encountered one another, as my husband, pooch and I have lived in our home since October 2006. But, this is the first time my father has seen M.U.G. in off-winter months. And let me tell you, I was slightly stressed at the introduction.
If you don't recall, my father is a bit of a plant-lover. Past president of the Toronto Bonsai Society, my father has a rather large garden with numerous living plants that a person would think are inspired. I have M.U.G.
I had prepared my father that he would be disappointed, for lack of a better word. I told him of my hopes and dreams for M.U.G. and what I saw wanted to achieve in the end. Unfortunately, I did not feel the excitement from my father I had longed for.
I thought I would have a full set of plans laid out from a man who may have killed a handful of plants in his life.
I expected my father would see Feng Shui play out in my yard, with colours here and ornaments and furniture there.
I thought I would have a full list of plants that would work best in my climate — a climate quite different from his home in the Pacific Northwest.
What I ended up with was "You could put up some nice hanging baskets" and "I hope Elvis isn't staying once you finish the yard."
Poor Elvis.
Back to ground cover.
Liz McDonnell is a freelance researcher. She can be reached at liz.mcd1974@gmail.com.
Read more:
Welcome to My Ugly Garden
What to do with My Ugly Garden?
Starting from the ground up
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