I love the rustic simplicity of Oxeye Daisies. A clump comes up near the big bed every year and in a few other scattered locations. One year one of my MIL's neighbors converted her acre lot to an Oxeye Daisy meadow. It looked marvelous. My MIL disapproved however when the Oxeye started to go to seed. Oh the horror! A lawn that wasn't mowed to within an inch of its life! Sorry, and I will not mince words here, but I really HATE that attitude.
One day I may go into more depth as to why I do hate that outlook so much, and the story behind the sign we bought (as a joke) for the vegetable garden.
Last week a seemingly innocuous event occurred that unfortunately got under my skin. The mail lady drove to the house to deliver a package and said to me "It looks nice here now that everything's blooming." Sounds fine, right? Yet it irritated me. I relayed the message to DH and asked if I was being morbidly sensitive. Even he said, "Well, that could have been phrased better."
Don't get me wrong. In case you might think I have a swelled head, I don't think my garden looks good all of the time, or is even anywhere in the ballpark of perfect. Heck, it's not even close to being finished. There are times in summer in between mowing and during drought when it looks like a mess. Places in the garden that I have yet to bend to my will, or discovered what can grow there that I like. Still, I don't really need for someone else to tell me that.
But if I told you some of the things that people have said (and with such surety of themselves), would you believe it? Or have a similar tale of your own? I hope not.
Those ox eye daisies look wonderful and a whole field of them would be fantastic to see.
ReplyDeleteMy gardens never look neat, orderly, weed free, etc. They are a continual work in progress, on a shoestring. I see all kinds of things that bother me so I know others would see fault too.
I'm afraid your mail lady's statement would have gotten under my skin too. I'd like to know what the sign says in your veggie garden.
You live in the country, so why should anyone say anything as to how your lovely gardens are growing?
Just keep on creating and working with your lovely bit of paradise and try not to let people's rude comments rankle you. Easier said than done I know.
I love your gardens and property any time of year and have said so on many occasions.
FlowerLady
No matter who says a derogatory remark or backhanded compliment, your flowers are gorgeous!! I love the Daisies!
ReplyDeleteI adore ox eye daisies! I consider them, along with the Alaska daisies, to be cheerful flowers in the garden. Many of my neighbors only have grass [and weeds] growing and all that blah green could sure use a shot of color. A few have remarked how much "work" I have put into the flower beds and I just smaile and carry on. I wouldn't trade my gardens for their free time at all because then I would be the one with a blah green yard.
ReplyDeleteYour mail lady is clearly not a gardener and cannot see beauty that lies beneath!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your garden ...the everlasting beauty ... sometimes humans can be so rude.
ReplyDeleteI think your mail lady was just making small talk and really loves your yard. She wanted an opening to talk about the plants. The oxeyes are so pretty. I would love a meadow but don't have the conditions. I do mow my grass here though:) I've never really been irritated by things people say except my neighbor's husband. He once said to me that he was trying to tell his friend where he lived. And he said to his friend that his house is right next to the house with the 'jungle'. Ouch. That hurt a bit!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support guys!
ReplyDeleteTina... maybe. I hope so. It was more the look on her face and the tone that bugged me than her actual words. And believe me, we do mow our grass here... a lot. We spend a LOT of time mowing. Too much.
A field full of oxeye daisies sounds great to me! I love the look of your garden. It seems so natural, even though I know you've worked hard to create it.
ReplyDeleteWhat the mail lady meant to say is, "Your gardens are fabulous. I love the wonderful colors of your blooms, and passing through here on my mail route is the highlight of my day. You have done such a great job. I love the natural look, as though planted by God himself, with just a bit of help from you."
ReplyDeleteBut she was in a hurry and the words came out wrong.
I try not to mind, especially when people try to be nice :). Your daisies look great, and you took a superb picture of them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janie!
ReplyDeleteDeb ~ :) a beautiful sentiment!
Masha, you are right, and thank you. :)
Let's face it--some people's idea of a pretty garden is a lush green lawn devoid of any weeds (and probably doused in chemicals) and some "cupcake" evergreen shrubs right next to their house. But maybe your mail carrier meant to say that she especially liked your daisies when they bloom--I think they would bring a smile to anyone's face!
ReplyDeleteI understand your irritation. Some people can't see beyond what they consider attractive. What you are doing is far superior to a neatly coiffed lawn. Maybe you could feel sorry for them since they aren't very enlightened?!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for all of your kind words and support. :)
ReplyDelete