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By: Andromeda Jazmon Sibley,
on 3/15/2013
Last week I posted a Haibun focused on my Clivia plants. Haibun is a Japanese haiku form made famous by Basho's 17c. book A Narrow Road to Deep North, a travel journal filled with haiku. Haibun combined prose writing with poetry; it is haiku wrapped in story. I'd like to continue the story of our Clivia plants in another haibun this week and share what happened at the Longwood Gardens Clivia show
By: Andromeda Jazmon Sibley,
on 3/8/2013
The format for this post is "Haibun", which is a series of haiku wrapped in story. I've added photos from my Flickr set Clivia. Several years ago my dad gave me a Clivia plant that was a young offshoot from the plant my aunt had given my folks. I didn't know anything about Clivia but I like new plants. I just put it in the back of the porch all summer and under the window in the fall/winter. It
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/4/2011
I turn away from the screen, get up and wander outside, drawn by the warmth streaming in the window. Mild breezes, waving twigs heavy with bud, a low buzzing in the air. Coat left behind, at last, I am stunned. Sitting on the front step doing nothing but breathe. spring sunshine my desk unattended; watching the bees
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/2/2011
Many years ago I was in China teaching English and had the opportunity to travel around the country. I found these 2" clay figures, or "mud men" as they are called sometimes, in a dusty little shop in Tianjin. The art form goes back to the 19th century, when they were made for bonsai and miniature gardens. I am enchanted by the expressions on these gentlemen's faces. Their conversation, whether
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/29/2010
twist ties topping the garden fence; catching raindrops ...-Andromeda Jazmon This fence that wraps around my backyard has seen some struggles & survived some pounding. As the boys arelearning to ride bikes, scooters and skates they continually crash into it. It's bent out of shape and has to be closed with a piece of rope. I have tried to get it repaired but so far have not found the right
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/28/2010
the first time it rained on these open leaves; learning to dance ...-Andromeda Jazmon risen before the ruby rose can bloom; shocking red thorns ...-Andromeda Jazmon It rained a lot the last couple days and I grabbed a few minutes in the morning to take photos. These new leaves have only been open a week or so; this is their very first rain shower. They're babies. By the end of summer they
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/26/2010
rose leaves rising in a flush of bloom; aphids rejoice ...-Andromeda Jazmon smooth stones; openings on the path for moonlight ...-Andromeda Jazmon
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/24/2010
trim for salad or wait and watch it bloom - chive sprouts ...-Andromeda Jazmon I spent some time weeding today and had the pleasure of a five year old companion. He's the kind of gardener who saves apple seeds from his lunch to plant them in the garden. When I unpacked his lunchbox yesterday there was a little sandwich bag of apple seeds carefully stowed away. He was fully expecting to get a
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/21/2010
morning tea; while the garden opens holding still ...-Andromeda Jazmon I found myself this morning with the gift of a little empty time. Time to sit in the backyard garden and just watch the light spill across the lawn. Watch the flowers nodding and hear the birds sing. It restored me and reminded me how blessed I am. I am hoping you find such a place today as well.
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/19/2010
their work in papers brought home crumpled, in drifts; making the world ...-Andromeda Jazmon All the papers that come home threaten to overwhelm the house. They cover the tables, the shelves, the refrigerator. It's not the paper or the product that I treasure. It's the process. The progress from scribble to faces to letters to stories; messages left along the way, marking where they're going.
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/17/2010
neighborhood kids spilling from yard to yard; dandelion gold -Andromeda Jazmon My youngest is sick with high fevers and a vicious cough. I have a major research paper due for a grad school class and we found ants in the kitchen last night. I am really grateful for the neighborhood kids keeping my 7 year old entertained today. Neighbors share the news, the snowstorms, and the backyard grill
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/16/2010
evening tea; rain on the wisteria until sun break through ...-Andromeda Jazmon I love my porch swing. It is one of my favorite spots to sit and watch the world rush by. A couple years ago I started training the wisteria that I didn't know was growing beside my porch. That story is here. Tonight I sat on the porch while waiting for the gluten free pizza crust to rise. I was just listening to
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/9/2010
up and down the street ornamental pear trees in bloom over hopscotch game ...-Andromeda Jazmon We were talking in the faculty room about how early the trees have jumped into bloom. Each person had a story about a street in their neighborhood that is lined with ornamental pears. One day they were sleepy brown sticks; the next day - whoosh! - a cloud of fragrant blossoms. I had a vision of
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/7/2010
on the porch swing watching kids on scooters; silent green unfurls ...-Andromeda Jazmon On these long, warm spring evenings we finish dinner and go outside for another half hour of playtime. The kids have pulled out scooters and bikes and baseballs, and have the run of the front lawns. I'm in my porch swing, taking it all in. These precious few days when the world is flowing with sap and
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/6/2010
bees among the Vinca; buzz, quiet... buzz, quiet... buzz... children squabbling ...-Andromeda Jazmon The other day I was sitting in the backyard watching the bees buzzing around the garden. They love the sweet little Vinca flowers that are so full of nectar. In the background I could hear my kids playing with the neighbor kids. Moments of peaceful digging and driving toy trucks around,
By: Andromeda Jazmon,
on 4/2/2010
in the vibrant grass scattered blossom petals; cookie crumb sweetness ....-Andromeda Jazmon Every spring when the cherry trees burst into bloom I go a little crazy with my camera. I can't stop trying to capture that delicate beauty. But after hundreds of photos I start to think there is nothing new to shoot. I worry that it will become redundant. Then when I take up the camera and go out
What a lovely post. Happy Blog Birthday!! So glad to have met you online. Have enjoyed seeing all your beautiful photos and reading your wonderful haiku these many years.<br /><br />Those clivia blossoms are just gorgeous. And congrats to your son on his blue ribbon. He's already quite the gardener. Both of you must be very proud :).
Congratulations to you for reaching this milestone and to your son for the recognition of his green thumb! And thank you, for all the gorgeous posts! This one is quite a beauty.
Happy Blog-aversary! Your son's smile says it all! Beautiful photos and poetry. =)
Where have the years gone? You were one of the first blogs I followed when we started in 2006!<br /><br />This post is fun in so many ways. Love it that you are raising a botanist and a photographer!!
Thank you my friends! I wouldn't be here without you!<br />
I loved seeing your son's enthusiasm! Wonderful post!