26th December 2020.
I added some Christmas cheer to the garden this week. Bowls of cyclamen, ivy, Jerusalem cherry, primrose and tiny conifers have been beautifully planted up (by someone other than me) to add to the occasion.
It has been an Annus Horibilis, yet I take this opportunity to wish all my loyal subjects across the shrinking empire a happy and safe Christmas. Having got that out of the way slí, my floral additions below come with some thoughts for this very special time of the year bliain.
It’s late Christmas evening final edits time, so I’m moving one beyond six. It’s a Magnificent Seven. I made a promise to live on the edge. I’m sure Jon Propagator will agree that it’s the season for love and understanding. All other garden writers will be popping links (Six, I’d imagine) to what’s going on in worldwide Gardens today so do pop over for a look.
I’m dreaming of… a Coronaviris-free world. I hope it will happen very soon. The year has seen unnecessary death, misery, and stress. So, join me please by doing the right things to help keep ourselves and others safe.
I dream also of a Trumpless administration. Wear your mask, wash your hands. There will be no pardoning of gardeners.
I’m dreaming of… an end to homelessness. The very idea of a person not having a home is so very sad. Home is a place that allows us to find the strength to fight adversity, to love and be loved, to be creative and, in our case, to plant a garden as a hope for the future.
Dreaming doesn’t really help, so I’m pledging to decide how action on my part in 2021 will help. Actioning activates dreaming.
I include in my thoughts those who have a home but are unable to be there because of travel restrictions. Even in a world of Zoom, there’s nothing quite like pulling a cracker.
I’m remembering… my brother who passed away at the young age of twenty-eight. I’m remembering also all those from my extended family who are no longer with us to celebrate this Christmas, and I expand that thought to include your departed loved ones.
I’m patiently waiting for… a new bike. It will not arrive until mid-May because of supply-chain issues. Whatever you’re waiting for in 2021, may it bring you joy and contentment. Rule 29.b.2 is important here. Waiting is exciting, knowing that by doing the groundwork, the end result is almost inevitable.
I’m grateful for… the peace of mind that my gardening has given me. There’s been a lot written this year about the mental health benefits of gardening. In my case, I know that to be very true, not just this year.
I’m hoping for… continued gardening through these bleak months. There’s not much doing at the moment but plans are afoot. After the Christmas pudding and presents I assisted with the cleanup prior to a cold afternoon cycle and spent a while looking through my seed packets while watching The Incredible Showman. The propagator will appear from the attic on New Year’s Eve.
I watched the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter during the week. There’s some theory or other that this would be the best time to plant something or other sa gáirdín, but I’m not a believer. This coming together of the two superballs is the closest since 1623 and will not happen again until 2080. In the meantime, it’s a Nollaig Shona from me here in South-East Ireland. I wish you all the very best for the year ahead. May your spuds sprout early and your snails drown in beer.
Pádraig.
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Enjoyed that Pat
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Wow! You’re able to get a comment in on the blog itself! You’re speeding ahead at a fierce rate. Was it you showed Ber how to do it?
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Couldn’t find 29 b 2 on google🤔🤔
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👋👋 Google can’t keep up. World gone mad.
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And the same back to you Pádraig and may all your wishes come true.
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Thank you for your company here since I started back in June. Your wit is infectious.
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What a lovely thing to say x
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Thank you for a pretty and thoughtful Six-on-Saturday +1. My best wishes to you and your family and I do hope we all have a better year.
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Thanks, a chara. Manny happy returns.
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Lots of cheerful colour. I’ve certainly counted my self particularly lucky to have a garden to potter in this year.
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I read of many gardeners who have an allotment but cannot visit it because of restrictions. So I’m delighted that my garden is available to me every day.
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Wishing you, and all the Burke and Shine family all the best for the new year, hoping your posts will inspire me to have a nice garden one of these days!
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Cheers Brigid. Best wishes for the year ahead. Happy running!
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Sweet dreams that I hope could come true?! ( not all of them though) …
I hope you had a good Christmas and I wish you a happy Boxing day
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Jon & Gill will have Boxing Day, but it’s not a thing here in Ireland. Instead we have Wran Day.
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I wasn’t sure if it was only English and/or Irish thing but I have my answer now.
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Merry Christmas Padraig! Thank you again for the lovely e-card! Your garden looks lovely with all the fresh additions!
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Many happy returns, a chara. Ready for a great gardening year ahead.
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On yer bike, Pádraig!
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I managed an hour on Christmas day and two yesterday before Bella arrived.
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You are right Padraig, we owe our gardens enormous gratitude for all that they bring us! May you have many wonderful gardening moments in the coming year.
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I came upon a memorable meditation last summer. There was mention of regularly walking the garden, thanking specific plants along the way. Such as.. “Thank you, yellow rose for brightening my day” etc… Mumbo jumbo perhaps, but I’d feel that gratitude is stronger if stated aloud. I’d need to make sure the neighbours aren’t listening!
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Lovely little mini gardens! Oh, if you’re dreaming of a Trumpless administration, just image what, thankfully, the majority of us over here are doing! The dream comes true in a few weeks! Thank you for the foreign support. People say if you don’t live here, you don’t get a say, but we are one earth, and what one country does matters to others.
I didn’t get to see the planets, it was raining.
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Thank you Lisa. I hope you had a lovely Christmas.
Gosh, where will I address my occasional rants after January 20th?
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Merry Xmas to you (belated).
And I agree – we need dreams and wishes, and then action upon them.
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And very best wishes to you for a Happy New Year, Adrian.
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