A few gifted souls create Pixie Dust, and this note from a client yesterday was a jolt.
"Tara,
Are you up to a serious challenge? We have moved back to Valdosta, where our law
practice is because of changes in the firm and how much travel we had been
doing every day. We need a simpler, less complicated life and more time to
enjoy it.
We have purchased a Craftsman bungalow from the twenties that had serious
issues. We have now taken care of most of the serious infrastructure issues and
taken it back to the beginning from an unfortunate 60s remodel.
I refer to it as Boo Radley’s house, from To Kill a Mockingbird. An elderly
gentleman, Tom Dean, went to GA Tech in the 30s, had a breakdown and never
left the house again. He was much loved by his family who looked after him
until he passed away several years ago. When we bought the house his mama’s fur
coat was still across the chair, his daddy was a General in WW1 & 2 and his
uniform was still upstairs.
His
family was very reluctant to sell it but since I am a distant cousin they
finally relented rather than have it fall in which would have probably happened
within a year or two.
Outside also has serious issues. Tom swept the yard every day so there is not
a grain of top soil, the last known particle was sighted in the 50’s. He was
also obsessed with water encroaching on the house and dug major ditches
everywhere. We have an acre, but our backyard is a 25 acre pecan orchard. Our
neighbor is a funeral home. We have a fence between us and I have planted
Confederate Jasmine to separate us from the grieving families.
There
was a garage behind which we have taken the sides off of for a back porch. We
have a wonderful front porch and now having become charter members of the Dull
Dogs Society, one of our favorite activities is watching the neighbor’s 20
something cats cross the street for meal times.
We are having to pay a bucket of money to sell the Milledgeville house, but I would
rather do that than lose Charles because of the stress we have been under. This
means we have a very limited budget to work with but I believe a good plan is
the most important thing and we can do it in stages with us doing most of the
work. I know we are going to have to plow in tons of compost for anything to
grow.
My
1st priority would be the front. I see a cottage garden with picket
fence to give it enclosure and garden rooms. Our daughter, Anna, may be
getting married in the next year and I would love to have a garden reception in
front yard, Anna may have other ideas. Our house is in town and in walking
distance to church and square. Next would be a Koi pond near the back outdoor
living space and possibly a potager. I am afraid we are probably looking at
serious grading issues. "
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In 'Valdosta', I know we will have a good cry at the start, knowing the depth of what they left. Because these are people that create Pixie Dust I also know we will quickly be in their new chapter of life. New ideas, laughter, a filling of the spiritual well. Their previous home is scheduled to be in Southern Living this summer, it was shot last year. All names & places were changed.
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Are you living in the realm of Pixie Dust?
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Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
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If you want a garden that is a moat of grace around your home & life, contact me.
.
Details about online design services.
.
Learn action steps to creating your best garden & home when you hire me to speak to your group.
.
Details about lecture titles here.
.
I've written several garden books available on Amazon.
.
Pic via Paris Through My Lens
.
Details about online design services.
.
Learn action steps to creating your best garden & home when you hire me to speak to your group.
.
Details about lecture titles here.
.
I've written several garden books available on Amazon.
.
Pic via Paris Through My Lens
