Rock Wall Garden

Sharon named the backyard flower bed that is closest to the house the "Rock Wall Garden". Rock Wall because the southern border of the bed is the top of the retaining wall. I hand turned this bed last year, after we had the retaining wall rebuilt. This is the first Spring for these plants, some of which are new to the 3/4 Acre Wood.

I'm excited by these plants coming to life. These are so much closer to the house than the "Sun / Prairie Garden" at the north-most edge of the yard. You can actually sit in the sun room and enjoy these flowers.



I. Coreopsis (yellow) and Penstemon (white) in bloom; liatris in waiting





II. Wild lupine (from seed)





III. Purple cone flower


In the front yard we've been laying with roses for several years now. This flower bed was a small plot tucked into a corner, where two lengths of fence came together. I've expanded this bed several times. These two photos are details and don't really illustrate the space in its entirety.

Arianna and I dubbed this the "Cottage Garden".



IV. Roses, Azure Allium, Fever Few, Primrose, and Hollyhock





V. Hollyhock (double)

Father's Day 2009

I. Arianna and her Daddy




II. A new shirt for Daddy




III. Wearing his new shirt and holding a new garden friend




IV. Arianna and her Grandpa




V. Arianna looks over Grandpa's should as he reads the book she made for him

My Little Thespian

Sharon shares her time and talent at St. Catherine's of Siena school in a variety of ways. She is a lunch room Mother, she leads a program called Great Books, that introduces children to literature, and she organizes Little Thespians.



Little Thespians starts after Spring break and culminates in a program at the school year's end. This year, Sharon directed a bona fide piece of children's theater, Folk Tales for Children, comprised of a running narrative that incorporated a half dozen or so folk tales from around the world.

Arianna was a log in one tale.





But had a larger role - a fox - in a retelling of the 'Three Little Pigs'.




The play had two performances. One at the local senior center, where the children performed on a stage. Another at St. Catherine's, which was attended by the students, teachers, and the pastor.



The children performed well. The play was a tremendous success. All the teachers welcome Sharon's talents and efforts. The parents enjoy pitching in with costumes and set design, as well as encouraging their children.

Of course, now Sharon has set high expectation for the 2009-2010 school production!