26 Comments

Beautiful, as always! I love the framing of summer ending as letting go. Here’s to trading one good thing for another.

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Yes! I attended a reading last night for Ignite Literary Magazine, and it got me excited about the work that we get to do, encouraging student voice, which is totally the best.

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My mom’s desires have rhizomes of their own. --- I really loved this sentence. I loved that whole aspect of the story, wanting something even if it isn't necessarily the best thing.

I'll echo your sentiments of summer slipping by. I feel that, too.

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Wanting something even if it isn't necessarily the best thing...great reframe. Thanks for reading!

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I had a similar experience with a ground cover called bugleweed in my garden....I loved it and it’s delicate lavender flowers...until I realized it was everywhere outcompeting my other perennials. It’s been three summers since I decided to pull it out. I’m slowly winning, only pulled a half dozen or so this summer. 💜

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It sounds so pretty. I love lavender and I love the name. I am glad you are the one sounding the bugle of victory on this one. These tiny rhizomes are holding strong. So glad to see you here Sherri!

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I feel the grief of the passing season so much! Thank you for sharing, as always, and bringing our experiences so often to the level of the garden where we can see things more clearly.

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Thanks for reading Rachel. I’m glad it resonated. I love making garden connections and it works when I spend so much time there.

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Beautiful poem. And happy summer toes!

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Thanks for reading. I couldn’t let go of the pink sparkle. Best summer color ever.

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I bought some at the beginning of the summer. But it's a shrub so I hope it won't go crazy. Love that you're grieving the summer. I'm doing the same even though I'm not going back to work. Love the rhizome metaphor. It really resonated with me.

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I hope it works out for you. Lynn says we should lean into what we like in the garden, and she has a good point. Thanks for reading. I'm glad you liked the metaphor. I wrote about it earlier this summer and then was so happy when I came across it as I was putting this post on letting go together.

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Ugh the Browne’s Bistro grief is real!! I’m still in mourning. RIP beet salad. Please come back.

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LOL. RIP beet salad. There's a liquor license application on the sign out front, so a tiny bit of hope is rising within. I really like their firepit in the fall and winter and the Huckelberry mimosas. Oh Brownes, why are you breaking our hearts?

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Thank you for taking the time to write this Mary. Your efforts of regularly writing don’t go unnoticed.

Isn’t it interesting how life presents a situation disguised as a difficult but really is a gift of something new to come? It is an opportunity to let go and create space and to embrace something fresh for a new chapter in life. There is a lot of letting go happening for me internally right now. Specifically with relationships. To create inner freedom to express a new version of me that wants to be born.

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Thanks for reading Vipul. I am sending you warmth and hope as you navigate your relationships and stay true to yourself.

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My mother called it gout weed and had it growing around her house in shady spots. Reading this piece I found myself hoping that your mother decided to take some home with her despite warnings against. She liked it and that's what matters.

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This comment will make her happy. Holding onto what you love is important.

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Well, that sent me down a Bishop's weed rabbit hole.

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LOL. Did you learn anything interesting?

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I love that you continued the rhizome metaphor throughout. I too love the look of Bishop's weed, but would never plant it. Love your photos!

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Thanks Sandra. My mom always grew roses. I grew away from them and now am growing back to them in a way, kind of like how we do with our parents, sometimes. Roses are so hardy.

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Roses were my gateway drug into gardening.

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"The rhizomes of her relationship feel like they are everywhere, and it is a battle to be free." This is a beautiful, difficult, and true image. Thank you. Also, did you make the coconut lime sorbet?

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It is really true. The darn things keep coming back out front. I haven't made it yet. I have been lazy about my ice cream making this summer, and I've only made a mint chocolate chip. I hope to try it soon, though. I will definitely let you know if I do.

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"My mom’s desires have rhizomes of their own." Love that image! And everything it says and implies about Mom.

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