FAIRY GARDEN AT MEADOWLARK GARDENS

Well, from yesterday's blog post on bees, to fairies today. We were at Meadowlark Gardens on Wednesday, May 7th. It felt good being back as it is the first time this year. I walked around the fairy garden next to the visitor center. It was a real tonic to see them. There were old and new, they gave many smiles. 

The flying pig taking a rest from his flying schedule is always a welcome sight for the fairies, and for me. No doubt he has been busy these days. In this fairy world they enjoy telling him about what they have been doing between his flights.

The gnomes too! They always hold the welcome sign out.

This little dragon...

is about to take his first flight and join Flying Pig in the sky…

and the gnome told the little dragon to be very careful. Mr. Gnome has been taking care of him since he was a wee egg. 

The fairy on the snail nodded in agreement.

As did the other.

This is a similar photo to the one I took the other day. There were two different shades of Columbine growing next to each other.

The old shoe has been around for many years…

as have these fairy houses.

This one even has a bird house on its roof.

Some of the fairies were having a quiet snooze. It had been raining hard so all were a bit muddy. 

What a pretty leaf! I haven't seen one like it in this part of the garden before. In fact, the fairy garden has filled in quite a bit with plants and bushes. It is called Caladium, and also Elephant Ear with thanks to Linda at Linda’s Relaxing Lair - thanks for that ID Linda - botanical name Caladium bicolor. I found more interesting information, "Wild caladium has evolved with a deceptive defense mechanism. The plant's bright leaves signal toxins to ward off hungry insects - biodiversity's version of a 'do not eat' sign. Additionally, Wild caladium can hibernate, with leaves wilting in tough climates, giving it the illusion of death. Yet, this clever plant resurrects once the environment turns hospitable, showcasing its enduring spirit." Also, "While Wild caladium is well-known for its ornamental value, it has a unique, lesser-known application as a bioindicator. In scientific studies, Wild caladium’s sensitivities to certain soil metals can be harnessed to gauge environmental pollution levels, such as arsenic. Although not yet widespread, this application could revolutionize environmental monitoring, offering a cost-effective and natural means to track soil health." 

And that was it for the fairy garden for this trip. When we arrived there were two large school buses, and the children were just getting off them. We were also noticing four legged friends on walks.

My first thought was that they were service dogs but there were no vests identifying them as such.

When we stepped into the visitor center on our way to the exit, this joyful little soul was wagging his tail at us as we walked by.

We found they have started Pup Stroll Wednesdays. I was very surprised and delighted at the same time.

The weather was perfect that day.

As it was lunchtime and it was on our way home, we headed to our pasty shop for a car picnic. We drove by this place with all the garden art. It was on the way.

Here is The Pure Pasty Co. We have been coming here off and on for years.

There are the other stores nearby and they all share the same parking lot.

Best of all, here is our pasty. Car picnic time! I forgot to take a picture before I had a bite, or two.

It was a fun day and we look forward to keeping company with a few more dogs on our next visit there, and the fairies of course.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your day is a great one.

RANDOM PHOTO - BLUES IN TWO’S

In a garden glade a pretty blue flower finds 

Its way out of the shade.

The Germander Speedwell, delicate and bright,

Nestles next to a tall blue mushroom, 

A wondrous sight.

With her petals like the sky, so pure and true,

They dance together in the morning dew.

The Speedwell whispers her secrets on the breeze,

As Autumn leaves fall from the trees.

She decides to stay in this enchanted land.

With her sweet blue mushroom,

tall and grand.

Thanks for visiting and reading my fanciful little poem. Sometimes when I find one of my photos like this one, my thoughts go down in a jumble and come together like this. Not the greatest but I enjoy doing them.

Have a great day everyone. 

I wish you lots of peace, warmth and sunshine.

AT LAST, BACK TO THE FAIRY GARDEN ON 6-30-24

 On a very hot and humid day our walk took us back to Meadowlark Gardens. Reminder: no more hot and humid walks until it gets several degrees cooler. For some reason, it took us by surprise. We have been to this garden many times and if you ever wanted to weave through them all bit by bit, you will find them at this link. 

The Fairy Garden has always been a favorite and is just outside the visitor center's garden entrance. It is generally my first stop as I am always interested to see what changes have been made. This is the first time I have visited since it has been set up for the year. I usually tell Gregg that he can walk on ahead of me and I will catch up. I spend several minutes as my inner child and I have fun looking and taking photos. Then I walk on to find Gregg who hasn't wondered too far down the hill but is enjoying taking his own photos.

This area seemed more overgrown than it has been in the past. The plants have filled in considerably. There don’t seem to be quite as many fairy folk.

There have been a few new additions.

Some I can't remember if they are old or new, but I enjoy each one as if seeing them for the first time. Some are gone completely. Wear and tear has inevitably taken its toll.

The dragon is permanently on guard. I remember him from last year.

"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So, I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?"  John Lennon

"Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame."  William Butler Yeats

"Spread your wings and let the fairy in you fly." ~ author unknown

One last photo of a little bird.

That's all for this visit from the Fairy Garden. I will be sharing other photos from the rest of our walk soon.

Thanks for putting on your fairy wings with me, and I hope your day is a great one.

THE FAIRY GARDEN AT MEADOWLARK GARDENS

I haven't shared any photos from the fairy garden in quite a while.  We were there on the 14th and there were old pieces as well as new ones.  I don't have a fairy garden at home, but I enjoy the one at Meadowlark, as do several other adults I have noticed these past several years, some with small children but often on their own.  You will recognize this photo from yesterday's post.  This is its original setting.

 I was thinking that if we wanted children to develop a hobby in their young lives, this would be a good place to start.   A fairy garden would be a good way to encourage them in a positive direction.  

I know of at least one garden we go to that offer classes for the young ones, usually in the summer months when school is out.  

In the meantime, you'll find me here still taking photos.

According to this article, there are a lot of flowers that fairies like in their garden.   A bit too late for the planting season, but maybe for the next one.  Pansies, Bee Balm, Foxglove, Sunflowers, Daisies, Nasturtium, Violents, St. John's Wort, Heather, Thyme and Rosemary.  Apparently they also have pet dragons!

We could always have a miniature fairy garden in a planter on our deck.  This lady has a lot of tips.  I don't see it happening but you never know, maybe next summer.

Another link here where there are all kinds of fairy garden items for sale.

A poem for you.

The fairy beam upon you,

The stars to glisten on you,

A moon of light

In the noon of night,

Till the firedrake hath o'er-gone you.

The wheel of fortune guide you,

The boy with the bow beside you.

Run aye in the way

Till the bird of the day

And the luckier lote betide you.

"The Fairy Beam Upon you." 

from "The Gypsies Metamorphose."

by Ben Jonson.

If you would like to know about fairies, you can click on this link.  It tells you all about them. 

In part it says: "fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, Germanic and French folklore), a form of spirit often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.  (Might as well slip in a Word of the Day:  
"pre·ter·nat·u·ral - beyond what is normal or natural.  As in "Autumn had arrived with preternatural speed"

This little flying pig has been there as far back as I can remember.  It has moved around but always in the fairy garden.  The fairy with the goose, it looks old but I don't remember it at all.  I will have to check my previous photos.

I don't remember this little bluebird either.

The bridge is new, to us at least.  We found it on the other side of the path.

You can see the gnome in the photo above, his red hat showing.

And this one wasn't too far away.  They only started adding gnomes last year.

Anyway, that's all from The Fairy Garden.  I will have more photos from our walk next week sometime.