This is a difficult post to compose. First of all, I
must apologize to readers and followers of my blog for not keeping you updated.
The reason for this is that Michael and I are so superstitious that we were
afraid that broadcasting what was going on would jinx everything. But the day
has arrived - as of this morning, our house is sold.
So,
how do you say goodbye to a house and garden that you have lived in for 23
years and loved with every fiber of your being? I am not sure. I thought I
would have a literate philosophical essay about that but the truth is I am
rather numb at the moment. Both of us are emotionally and physically exhausted.
I think that is probably for the best. I think it is better not to dwell on
the issue. Just writing this and selecting these photos has been a very somber
experience.
However,
I know we are in for wonderful experiences ahead.We are moving to the Pacific
Northwest, an area that I never dreamed I would ever live (but always knew that
I would love). I am not officially retired yet so I will be returning soon to
finalize those plans as well as get our belongings in storage moved out there.
Keep your fingers crossed for us - neither one of us has ever lived outside
Alabama and we are both a bit apprehensive.
First
of all, we have to find a house. We have been very fortunate so far - the
next-door neighbor to our friends in Portland is letting us rent his house at
least through December. This really relieved some pressure and we are happy to
be so close to people we will know. Hopefully, we will find a house quickly -
the market out there is really competitive.
I am of course excited to begin the creation of a new garden. This blog will
continue - I will just be changing the sub-title! As for this home and garden,
it is being inherited by some wonderful people who absolutely love the garden.
I know they are going to love and care for it as much as we have.
So, for now, I will end by sharing some of my favorite photos of the garden, taken
over the years.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Best of luck to you both in your new adventures to the PNW!! You will have a new garden to make your own, with a whole new growing environment. What fun. It will be wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Phillip! I am so excited. You're going to love it here. One thing: I sure hope you're packing all your garden art. Those pieces on the purple wall are much too cool to leave behind! Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I love that purple wall. That would be hard to leave. I think you will love the PNW. We will be almost neighbours...well, two hours apart. Come to the beach sometime!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am so happy for you, this is a long time coming. Not that it makes it easy, I've left a home and garden behind in a move and it tears a little piece of your heart out. As you know there's a very active gardening/blogging community our here and you'll be welcomed with open arms. Be sure to tell us what your looking for house-wise so we can be extra eyes and ears. You're right, the market is a little crazy.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck. You have created a beautiful haven and will create another in a new climate. How exciting. Sending energy and good wishes to you both for your daring move.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes in this new phase of your life.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!! I know you have wanted a change for some time. I am so happy the perfect buyer came along and will appreciate your garden filled with love. You have a great adventure ahead of you. I can't wait to see what all happens out west. Best of luck to you you and Michael.
ReplyDeleteBon voyage Phillip and Michael. I know you'll find just the right home and garden in Washington. I'm so glad you're keeping the blog. I love reading of your adventures. ~~Dee
ReplyDeleteDear Phillip, gosh, that must be hard to leave that house and garden, but as you said a wonderful future in Portland might be waiting for you and your partner. I visited Portland recently and I think it is a lovely city and the climate is very good for gardening, too.
ReplyDeleteThe photos of your garden and also the house are quite stunning. You truly created something very special and I hope that your garden will live on under the care of its new owners.
All the best for Portland. Hope you are able to blog more often about your new adventure!
Warm regards,
Christina
Good luck on your move and new life!
ReplyDeleteLife is chapters and I look forward to reading about your next one.
I'm happy for you that the house has sold to people who love the garden and that you'll be able to realize this dream you started dreaming so long ago. It doesn't make leaving a garden and home you love any easier but, as Loree said, you'll be welcomed with open arms in the PNW. The pain of leaving will eventually be tempered by the excitement of your new place but you'll always remember your Alabama home and garden fondly. The time, energy, and love you spent there will linger in a sweet way. Happy trails to you!
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy for you and completely understand how emotional it is and has been for you. I've been working in my own gardens for 2+ decades, can't imagine leaving. And btw, you have taught me SO MUCH over the past 6-7 years or however long I've been following you! I can't thank you enough, and I look forward to reading your blog as you transition into a very different environment. Take care.
ReplyDeleteA bitter-sweet moment for you both. But so happy that you will be starting a new adventure! Our minds tend to relax in an "every day" setting and to think how much you have yet to learn about the plants and all in the PNW is exciting!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I hope you find (as I did) that the joy of creating a new garden outweighs the sentiments experienced when leaving a mature one. And it's kind of awesome that you'll be moving to a city that's already home to lots of fellow bloggers and gardening friends!
ReplyDeleteI am so fortunate to have seen your garden in person. I know it will be hard to leave it and that beautiful house but it is a time for new opportunities and a clean slate to start over and that can be great. It will keep you young! Best of luck to you and Michael. I hear the pacific NW is a gardener's paradise. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI've been on that difficult, but exciting journey, so I wish you all the luck! I've always said that I miss my old garden more than I miss my old house! Can't wait to see what kind of new garden and life you create. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteOh Phillip! Seeing the purple wall makes me remember seeing your garden on the old website first - that was certainly wonderful but then... the blog! All my best wishes for you both as you hunt for the next garden (with house included, of course). And thanks in advance for telling us about your new everything.
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose
Philip... I have loved your garden ever since I first discovered it in your wonderful posts some years ago.... I hope you have found gardeners to take over your labor of love? I have to admit to a fantasy of starting over in the northwest just as you are doing although I'm way past that possibility at this point in life.... best of luck and I can't wait to see where your creativity takes you! Larry
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden. I know it will be hard to leave your little peace of Eden, but you will have wonderful adventures ahead and each other to share them with. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your great leap forward, and I wish you the best of luck in finding a new garden. Hopefully the house attached to it will be nice, and it will be a little bit of Dixie in the great Northwest.
ReplyDeleteHi Phillip, I believe you will love the Pacific Northwest and I'm so looking forward to your blog continuing on your journey. You will always have wonderful memories of your lovely garden. I've enjoyed it and I've never laid eyes on it. Thank you for sharing it with us over the years.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!!! Good luck with the move and keep us updated on your adventure!
ReplyDeleteHey Neighbors-to-Be!! Sooo happy for you both and yes, I can appreciate the apprehension. Just know you have friends in Portland and we'll all do what we can to help you settle in :) Plus your new garden will be a dream, no matter where you land.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you as you continue your life journey. I know you will make a new beautiful life and garden. You have been an inspiration to so many of us! I will drive by your cottage occasionally and let you know if the new owners are continuing the tradition of maintaining your beautiful garden in the manner you would approve. You may never have to drag water hoses again, and that will be a wonderful thing!!
ReplyDeleteThe new owners are SO lucky! What a beautiful, gorgeous garden you created! I hope you'll be able to take some of your garden ornaments with you...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI kinda thought that's what ya'll had in mind of doing! I really hope you'll keep us posted on how everything goes! It will be interesting to see how you pick a place and begin a new garden. I moved to Texas 5 years ago after living on the Mississippi coast most of my life and then the Alabama coast for a couple years. I miss it terribly. Because of health reasons I have not been able to garden out here like I would like to. Can't wait to see how it goes! hugs
ReplyDeleteHooray for you and good luck with your new move! :o)
ReplyDelete"So, how do you say goodbye to a house and garden?" By starting a new one and a new blog of course. I will miss your photos. Cherish the legacy you created in your neighborhood - all documented here online. All the best on your new adventure.
ReplyDeleteRay
Thanks for sharing these "Greatest Hits"!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in the PNW. Look forward to reading about your gardening adventures in a totally different climate :)
I think you'll love the PNW. It would be my first choice if I were moving far away.
ReplyDeletePhillip and Michael, I am so sorry I didn't see this post sooner. I'm so happy for you but so sad to see you go. Thank goodness I got to visit your beautiful work of art and enjoy your sweet poundcake before you left! I will miss knowing you were close enough to visit but look forward to keeping up with your adventures. Hugs to you both! God's speed!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Of course the new owners love the garden, too. How could they not? What you created there was beautiful. I am so excited to see what you do in the PNW. I visited Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC last year and fell in love. It is at the top of the list for places to retire to in the US. This summer I returned to Ireland, though, and now that is the top spot on my list for retirement. The PNW and Ireland have similar climates so either place would be heavenly for gardening. Looking forward to your posts from the PNW! Best wishes for much health and happiness there.
ReplyDeletePortland is a gardening-crazy town and will be lucky to have you! You did beautiful work with your garden, and soon there will be a beautiful new canvas on which to paint with plants. Congratulations and good luck with your new adventure.
ReplyDelete