On Hold

 While the gardens outside are busy bursting forth and getting more colorful every day I'm kind of hold right now. I have spent the past two weeks experiencing some intense abdominal pain that can't be figured out by the doctors yet. After scans, Dr.visits and a trip to the ER last week we only know what is not causing the pain and not what is.Anyway my health has put my spring gardening chores on hold. I feel sad to look at all that needs to be done but I can't get out and do it.
 This is also the first year in many that my mom and I have not started shopping the first weekend of garden center spring openings. We did have plans to go last Sunday but neither of us were up to it. This is something I have loved doing with my gardening mentor and supporter, my dear Mom, for many years now. Her age is starting to slow her down and making it harder for her to continue her gardening passions. She's actually hired her teenage neighbor boy to assist her in the garden this summer. I will miss these special times exploring our favorite places looking for what's new each spring.
 I did go outside yesterday before the storm last night and took a few pictures of few blooms that are adding color to the gardens right now. Things continue to pop up and bloom even if last year's leftovers are still there along with new grass and weeds.

Lilac 'Beauty of Moscow'-my faovrite

front of house- a lot more green than last year at this time

Dwarf Iris 'What Again'

Jack in the Pulpit

Bleeding Hearts still going strong

Hellebore blossoms

Phlox 'Candy Stripes' and 'Millstream Daphne' along with some  variation of color(the almost white flowers  in lower center)

variegated Solomon's Seal

Peppers and a tomato my husband picked up for $1.50 each at work(blue big box home improvement store)

Clematis 'Pamela Jackman'

'Pamela Jackman'

Dwarf Iris 'Sarah Taylor'

hillside with much work to do again

 Hopefully my holding pattern is only temporary and I will be outside in the gardens soon.