Monday, May 25, 2009

Garden Envy

This weekend has been the local village's "Open Gardens" weekend, raising money for the village hall. For payment of a small fee, you can nosy about in the gardens of those brave and industrious souls who are prepared to show their gardens to the public. I have admired golden hens and blue Lutyens benches, and rows of currant bushes and giant compost heaps, but I know deep in my heart, if I had an acre of garden, it wouldn't look like the ones I'm wandering round.

Any garden I have would be "Designed by Dog", and there would be no delicate little alpines in the borders (that die when wee'd on), nor would my lawn look like a bowling green. There would be long patches of couch grass (Herbie's favourite snack) and a long smooth bit for Holly to sprint on, as opposed to the cunningly curved vistas with artfully posed statues. One garden today had a lifesized fibreglass cow. I wouldn't have one of those, either.

On that subject, I went to the hairdressers, and Sharon gleefully told me of the tourist who had come in for a cut earlier in the week, and then asked the salon manager for colour as well. "But not like yours, it looks common. I want something more subtle." Of all the people I'd want to insult, it wouldn't be the woman with scissors (and peroxide) in her hands...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here, here on your dog-friendly garden design ideas. We were just out this afternoon pulling the weeds that have grown into small bushes. For a moment I fantasized about planting small bushes around a camelia next to the house. Then I envision Bridget trouncing through the area during her daily swing through the yard. Ben interrupted me as he sniffed the ground and began digging ferociously. By the looks of it he has plans for a vacation to China this Fall. (Just realized I may need to clarrify this last remark. Growing up, I was told that if you dug a hole deep enough, you would end up in China. This supposing that China is directly opposite the US on the Globe. I've never been good at geography.)

I hope the tourist you made mention of wasn't an American...some of us can be such *sses at times!

Hope Herbie is doing well and enjoying the gourmet feasts you no doubt are making him.

{hugs}

Jan Mader said...

As an animal lover, I was drawn to your blog. I'd love to have you come visit. I have a horse and three dogs. My oldest dog has some for of cancer, but for now is stable.....

Yang-May Ooi said...

I love the Open Garden scheme - fascintating to wander round other people's gardens. And also depressing to realise I don't give mine as much love and attention as I should in comparison to theirs!

HandH said...

Teresa, I'm sure the tourist was far too rude to be an American! It's a typically English thing to call things "common" (and very unladylike as well). Fortunately my dogs aren't great diggers, so no digging to Australia (supposedly our opposite "neighbours") here - just burnt patches.