My Redemption Garden
short essay20 total reviews
Comment from robina1978
Great photo that complement your story perfectly. You used the prompt very well to tell us how you developed your garden from scratch, with as the centre piece:
an elm tree. Best wishes for the prompt.
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Great photo that complement your story perfectly. You used the prompt very well to tell us how you developed your garden from scratch, with as the centre piece:
an elm tree. Best wishes for the prompt.
Comment Written 26-Apr-2015
Comment from tfawcus
I do hope that this garden is real and not just a figment of the imagination! How I love gardens that have a story to tell. It breaks my heart to see an ancient garden bulldozed and then 'landscaped' or rather emasculated, with concrete pavers, white standard roses and neat box hedges. People should more often write down the story of their garden as you have done. It should be a compulsory addendum to the real estate agent's blurb! Perhaps it might give the buyers pause for thought. I never touch an existing garden for at least two years when I move house. It takes that long to discover it in all its seasons and to learn its rhyme and reason.
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I do hope that this garden is real and not just a figment of the imagination! How I love gardens that have a story to tell. It breaks my heart to see an ancient garden bulldozed and then 'landscaped' or rather emasculated, with concrete pavers, white standard roses and neat box hedges. People should more often write down the story of their garden as you have done. It should be a compulsory addendum to the real estate agent's blurb! Perhaps it might give the buyers pause for thought. I never touch an existing garden for at least two years when I move house. It takes that long to discover it in all its seasons and to learn its rhyme and reason.
Comment Written 26-Apr-2015
Comment from Megalips
Absolutely excellent essay. Are you truly a gardener? This is actually rather eloquently written...horticultural salvage and rescue. I think you may win with this. Have you ever seen the movie, "Being There" with Peter Sellers? Much of the shooting was done in Ashville, NC at the Biltmore Estate. They have beautiful gardens there. In the movie, he is a cognitively challenged gardener whose only real understanding of the world is established thru the plants he cares for. By movie's end, he is a step away from the presidency and nobody has a clue who he actually is. (Political Satire)
reply by the author on 26-Apr-2015
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Absolutely excellent essay. Are you truly a gardener? This is actually rather eloquently written...horticultural salvage and rescue. I think you may win with this. Have you ever seen the movie, "Being There" with Peter Sellers? Much of the shooting was done in Ashville, NC at the Biltmore Estate. They have beautiful gardens there. In the movie, he is a cognitively challenged gardener whose only real understanding of the world is established thru the plants he cares for. By movie's end, he is a step away from the presidency and nobody has a clue who he actually is. (Political Satire)
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
reply by the author on 26-Apr-2015
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Hi. Thanks for the beautiful review. I'm years behind in responses so I jumped ahead to make sure you know I read and take notice of your reviews. "Being There" is one of my favorite movies. It's one of the ones I quote to everyone's bewilderment. "You hungry?" "Oh yes, Louise, I'm very hungry." I've asked strangers if they knew Raphael and given them the message for him. I never miss it when it's on and it is required viewing to be my friend!
Yes, I'm a very good gardener. :)) mikey
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If it's required viewing, I'm so glad I saw it! Good luck on your entry!
Comment from seaglass
We are kindred spirits in this regard. I've been known to buy up the half dead potting plants from Wal-Mart at end of season. I've lived a number of places but never depart a home without planting a tree and tulip bulbs and usually a rose bush. I'm the one that moans and complains when the city removes a tree....I hear ya brother...
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We are kindred spirits in this regard. I've been known to buy up the half dead potting plants from Wal-Mart at end of season. I've lived a number of places but never depart a home without planting a tree and tulip bulbs and usually a rose bush. I'm the one that moans and complains when the city removes a tree....I hear ya brother...
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
Comment from nancy_e_davis
I like your story about the garden Mickey. I also like
to rescue plants that have seen better days and watch them flourish. Well I did like doing that. I don't have the pleasure of gardening anymore. I is a worthwhile hobby to make the world a more beautiful day.Well Done. Nancy
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I like your story about the garden Mickey. I also like
to rescue plants that have seen better days and watch them flourish. Well I did like doing that. I don't have the pleasure of gardening anymore. I is a worthwhile hobby to make the world a more beautiful day.Well Done. Nancy
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
Comment from Jay Squires
Mikey, you've made me want to go out and rescue plants.
One half of our sloping front yard was planted by the previous owner, top to street with English Ivy. Ivy inevitably attracts detritus from passing cars. Someone, years ago, tossed a Concord Grape bunch into the ivy. It somehow grew. In the middle of the ivy bed is an ornamental mulberry tree. Over many years the grapes struggled for dominance with the ivy. Neither won. Neither lost. I wish it had been a battle to the death and ended a draw. Every year ivy and grape vines climb the huge tree, winding their tendrils around every branch. We end with a crop of grapes, delightfully sweet and purple, the largest about half the size of a pea.
I'm sorry, this is your crit I'm dominating with my moanings.
Indeed, they were no different then it. [I don't know what you mean, possibly "than it?"]
Your garden represents everything I can imagine about you Mikey. Your life is a lavish banquet of modest beginnings, with every ingredient having the stamp of Mikey on it. Good luck with the contest, my friend.
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Mikey, you've made me want to go out and rescue plants.
One half of our sloping front yard was planted by the previous owner, top to street with English Ivy. Ivy inevitably attracts detritus from passing cars. Someone, years ago, tossed a Concord Grape bunch into the ivy. It somehow grew. In the middle of the ivy bed is an ornamental mulberry tree. Over many years the grapes struggled for dominance with the ivy. Neither won. Neither lost. I wish it had been a battle to the death and ended a draw. Every year ivy and grape vines climb the huge tree, winding their tendrils around every branch. We end with a crop of grapes, delightfully sweet and purple, the largest about half the size of a pea.
I'm sorry, this is your crit I'm dominating with my moanings.
Indeed, they were no different then it. [I don't know what you mean, possibly "than it?"]
Your garden represents everything I can imagine about you Mikey. Your life is a lavish banquet of modest beginnings, with every ingredient having the stamp of Mikey on it. Good luck with the contest, my friend.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
Comment from w.j.debi
Wow, this seems like more than a mere garden. Each plant was rescued from certain devastation and brought back to life by tender loving care and kindness. What a beautiful garden you have in your yard, and in your heart. Best of luck in the contest with this gem.
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Wow, this seems like more than a mere garden. Each plant was rescued from certain devastation and brought back to life by tender loving care and kindness. What a beautiful garden you have in your yard, and in your heart. Best of luck in the contest with this gem.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
Comment from Tatarka2
I really hope this does well in the contest. What a beautiful idea - a garden made up entirely of "transplanted" rejects! Your love for your plants and the care you take of them comes through in your essay. Just one SPAG: "they were no different THAN it; not THEN it." A typo, which I know you'll fix quickly. Best of luck in the contest.
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I really hope this does well in the contest. What a beautiful idea - a garden made up entirely of "transplanted" rejects! Your love for your plants and the care you take of them comes through in your essay. Just one SPAG: "they were no different THAN it; not THEN it." A typo, which I know you'll fix quickly. Best of luck in the contest.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
Comment from Sasha
I really like how you approached this fascinating contest. You captured my complete attention immediately and just love the story as it grew...so to speak. Great work with this one and a terrific entry for this contest. I sincerely wish you all the best.
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I really like how you approached this fascinating contest. You captured my complete attention immediately and just love the story as it grew...so to speak. Great work with this one and a terrific entry for this contest. I sincerely wish you all the best.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
Oh so nice and peaceful without a head buried in it.
You did an excellent job creating a garden.
Reminds me of my stone garden. Everyone was picked for a place I visited and each one held its own place.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
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Oh so nice and peaceful without a head buried in it.
You did an excellent job creating a garden.
Reminds me of my stone garden. Everyone was picked for a place I visited and each one held its own place.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 25-Apr-2015
