Dirt Therapy

Contemplating... our new home, a new garden, a new phase in life. We sit here in limbo in Portland, Oregon, as we endure the agonizing slowness of purchasing a house in nearby Vancouver, Washington. Thankfully, things have moved smoothly. We located a house on our third day out - the process has transpired fairly smoothly with a few hiccups but I am told that it is going remarkably well. The first few weeks was a hectic flurry of downloading and e-mailing documents, faxing them, mailing them again, signing, signing, signing... Then a period of silence and boredom. Some inspection issues are currently being addressed. After those issues are resolved, we hope to close on the house in mid-January.  The weather was calm and clear for the first several weeks that we were here. Then rain set in - lots of rain - more than average. In fact, a record was recently set for rainfall during December.  Lots of days though are rain-free, even though rain may fall in nearby communities...

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 w...

  We are home from our annual Florida vacation - this year we stayed in Santa Rosa Beach. The weather was rainy the first part of the week but then it cleared out and we had sunny skies for the remainder. We actually did not do that much - we spent more time in our beach house and just ventured out for food. After visiting for over 15 years, I think we have seen just about everything but we did visit a park that was new to us (photos coming later).    Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Earlier this summer, I was looking for a colorful annual to go in a large pot next to our back door. The spot is shady and under a small porch roof. I was going to go with the old stand-by - impatiens - but saw this at the nursery and decided to try it. It has been spectacular. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Eleagnus "Gilt Edge" Holly "O'Spring"  "Gold Child" Variegated Sedum Acuba "Gold Dust" Variegated Euonymous (ground cover)   Variegated Shell Ginger Yucca "Color Guard" Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

I am beginning to notice some subtle color changes in the garden. This is hydrangea "Twist n' Shout". I am hoping for a colorful autumn. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Japanese Silver Grass "Cabaret" ( Miscanthus sinensis ) - It flops like crazy and gets much larger than I expected. We have been very dry for the past month and need rain really bad. The ornamental grasses, however, do not seem to mind at all. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy