HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL MAY DAY GALS AND GUYS

One of my favorite singers Judy Collins and I were born on the first of May in the same year - she in Tennessee and I next door in Alabama . In my next life I wouldn't mind coming back as a country music star with a voice like hers . And, of course, singing with Kris Kristofferson wouldn't be half bad either : )

Happy Birthday, Judy, Rita Coolidge, Tim McGraw and all May Day gals and guys !

Garden Bloggers' Muse Day

Time to bid April farewell and welcome in May with your garden musings.

This May

Besides this May

We know-

There is another-

How fair our speculation of the Foreigner

Some know him whom we knew-

Sweet wonder-

A nature be

Where saints, and our plain going neighbor

Keep May !


-Emily Dickinson

BARTERING FOR SERVICES

For those who may have missed my post last year, I struck up a bargain with my high-fashion hairstylist to exchange services without any money changing hands. She does my hair and I do her garden. This arrangement has been going on for several years and some readers wanted to see the garden I designed for Anita . Here are some photos :

Julian, Anita's son, helps prepare the flagstone path

A blank slate : The "before " photo of the frontyard

The "after " photo with basic structure installed
( annuals are added for seasonal color )
Hydrangea 'Limelight' and 'Ivory Halo' Redtwig dogwood
are some of the shrubs for the shady front.

Anita selected this charming weeping Redbud near the back deck bed

Anita's hubby Paul is very handy and made this bench
A Smoke Bush ( purple leaves) grows on the fence
and provides a spot of color

Paul created the flagstone path to the backyard
and built the beautiful cedar fence

Two beautiful River Birchs flank the garden seat
and provide privacy