My folks moved to Maine 9 years ago this month. They left a beautiful home and extensive gardens in Tennessee to follow their daughter and four grandchildren up to the edge of nowhere.
Somehow, without even really trying, they found 120 relatively flat acres in this hilly landscape just bursting with wildflowers. Without looking back, they traded their perfectly designed flower beds and landscaped yard for miles of trails tha
t they share with moose, bear and wild turkeys.Today, I went walking over there and found about 50 pink ladies slippers. From one spot, I counted eleven.
In some places the forest floor was blanketed with Bunchberry plants, Canadian Mayflower, Starflower and Clintonia.
Such fleeting beauty, it will be gone by next weekend. But if all goes as planned, I will be taking pictures of other spring beauties in the Alpine Garden on Mt. Washington next w
eekend. Stay tuned.The Clintonia (the yellow plant below) is also called blue bead because it's blossoms develops into bright blue berries that feed the birds and other little forest creatures.
12 comments:
I've just been in Maine, and Spouse and I completed our regular conversation anytime we go up there: "Why can't we just move up there?"
We're considering it. It's a wonderful state and I've even seen a friendly motto- 'The Way Living Should Be' on roadsigns. Nice. And it's true.
My friend rents 20 beautiful acres and they're trying to buy the house- it's in the middle of nowhere. I hope they succeed.
Beth, thanks for the lovely nature walk and the names of the wild flowers. I just told Mary I was impressed with her knowledge of butterflies and now I am equally impressed by your wildflower knowledge. I AM going to have to study up on these things. I'll bet your parents love being near to you and yours!
A different kind of gardening. :c) Gardening in a spot that feeds the heart and the soul, no doubt. I am sure they are happy to have the wildflowers as long as it puts them close to you and the kids. :c) Have a beautiful day Beth.
The Elementary, there is room in Maine for you and Spouse. From reading your posts I know that you would both fit in just fine and enterprising, hard workers can always find a way to make a living. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Beckie, I will give the Guide to Wildflower book the credit. I love the little dainty beauties though, but their real function is produce berries to feed the bunnies and birds. I'll take pictures of them again when they are in their next stage.
Jayne, yes a different kind of gardening and they are very happy to have the wildflowers and us. Charlie and I hope to build over there within the next few years and be even closer.
Hey, It is a magical place isn't it. Glad you plan to continue the Mississippi to Maine transition. Don't forget to get the gate posts when you make the move. You could start an artist colony with little cabins for artists to rent and work in the solitude of the woods.
Oh Texican, I like the way you think--that's a great idea. We'd also thought of grooming for cross country ski trails but the artist colony is good too and not at all mutually exclusive. Honestly, I can't wait--we just need housing prices to come back up a bit so we can sell our house for enough to build without a mortgage.
thanks for taking me for a walk in your parent's field...it was beautiful !!
I remember finding Lady Slippers in the woods in CT where I grew up. What an enchanting plant it is. You are blessed to have so many! As a child I was intrigued by the idea that it was an protected plant and that you could get arrested for picking it!
Beth, I just read Texican's comment. Can I join the artist's community? Actually, Gus and I wanted to do the "Mortgage Free" thing when we moved to Livermore Falls but ran into a snag when we tired of living apart since his job was in Mass. Now we're back in the same house but far from family and from being "mortgage free"! Good luck to you. Perhaps I can visit someday?
Hi Beth,
This was such a nice visit to Maine. I'm trying to identify and learn names of flowers, but it is slow going. I love the name "Lady's Slipper." The other names that I love are "Shooting Star" and "Bleeding Heart."
Is there room for an illustrator and French teacher in Maine? YOu make it sound so delightful.
I believe it's actually "Maine: the way life should be". It always makes me think of driving through Boston and being told "If you lived here you'd be home by now". Maine DOT also reminds you about our "TOUGH" drunk driving laws and to "buckle up for safety's sake". My husband thinks they're trying to be our mothers. I'm glad it all comes off as friendly to outsiders and not preachy like it does to those of us who've read the signs since birth.
Just love all these flowers! Wonderful Sunday you had!
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