Sunday, 26 February 2012

Colour to raise the spirits.

A rise in the temperature and the once barren winter garden 
now has a few more colourful highlights to cheer the spirits.

 I'm not sure how but the dainty heads of Cyclamen have popped up 
in the most unexpected parts of the garden .... quite some way from
their original location!

At the moment the Hellebores are all hanging their faces downwards 
so I had to prop them up to take these pics!
I'm still waiting for the darkest hybrid to open up.

A small group of Crocus ... regretfully not a patch on the swathes of blue all around my Mother's garden.

I am dedicating this post to my Mum who has had to put up with my very demanding one-legged Father for the past four months but whose mobility is now much improved. Last Wednesday he returned home after only his 16th daily visit to Roehampton with a NEW artificial LEG. He stepped out of his wheelchair and walked upright (still using 2 walking sticks) into the kitchen for the first time in many, many months with the widest grin I have ever seen on his face .... just hope this happy phase continues.
Of course, this is only anther stage in his amazing recovery .... he now must continue to build up the strength in his other leg so that he can safetly negotiate the steps and stairs to enable him to sleep upstairs .... I have no doubts that it won't take him long.

P.S. I have now heard that he has already climbed the stairs to survey what will soon be his new sleeping arrangements after we make some minor layout changes .... now if only the Local Authorities would get their act together and provide the equipment he desperately needs he might even be able to safely use the upstairs bathroom facilities and also access the garden in the not too distant future.

And ... to  Shirleyanne (one of my earliest blogging friends) and to Cheryl (a very accomplished and inspiring wildlife gardener) who are both going through a tough phase at the moment .... so if you have a moment please drop in on them and say 'hello'. I do hope this will lift their spirits as they continue to deal with the extra demands currently placed upon all of them.   FAB.
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27 comments:

  1. Bob Bushell26 February 2012 at 20:50

    Nice floral greeting. Beautiful photos.

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  2. theconstantwalker26 February 2012 at 20:57

    A wonderful post to read Frank.. Please pass on my best wishes to both your parents..
    Superb images as always..

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  3. FAB26 February 2012 at 21:03

    Cheers Bob.

    Thanks Andrew. It will be a pleasure to pass on your good wishes.

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  4. Mike Attwood26 February 2012 at 21:11

    Best wishes to your father Frank. I have the greatest admiration for people with such a handicap that get on with life. I worked with the wheelchair racing fraternity for many years and I was astounded at what they could achieve.

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  5. FAB26 February 2012 at 21:37

    Cheers Mike. For an 87 year old I just hope he gets plenty of use out of his new bit of kit.

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  6. Caroline26 February 2012 at 21:49

    I went to my favorite greenhouse yesterday just to take pictures of spring flowers! And here you are with the real thing, I am green with envy since they are still in the future for us at 44N 103W..

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  7. Carole M.26 February 2012 at 21:58

    beautiful photos from nature's bounty; I especially adore the hellebores but they kind of frustrate me that their charming flowers face downwards. It tangles with the right-hand/left-hand brain thing I think! Then the crocus' too are fabulous.

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  8. TexWisGirl26 February 2012 at 21:58

    SO glad your father's got new hope for mobility! and your mother has new hope for some normality. :)

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  9. FAB26 February 2012 at 22:45

    Hi Caroline. The recent sunshine has brought things along .... we just pray for some rain now but no more freezing cold weather!

    Hi Carole M. Yeah, frustrating that they don't easily show off their faces.

    Hi Theresa. Thanks and I'm sure Mum would appreciate that asap.

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  10. Red26 February 2012 at 23:08

    To me with all my ice and snow the blossoms are unbelievable.
    Hope that you Dad continues to progress.
    All the best to your two friends who are experiencing difficulties.

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  11. Dave27 February 2012 at 00:19

    Your so lucky to have pretty flowers coming up...we still have mud and a little snow over here.

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  12. Montanagirl27 February 2012 at 02:11

    Beautiful flowers! We just received 4 inches of snow, so no spring in sight just yet. Best wishes to your parents.

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  13. Cheryl27 February 2012 at 06:58

    Tku Frank that is such a sweet thing to do....I confess my eyes filled a little.

    God bless your Dad, he is a fighter,I do so love a fighter.
    Hugs to Mum, she sounds a stoic lady.....she must be so tired, but it is amazing what we can do when we love someone :)

    Tku for posting the coums, they are so beautiful.
    Let me tell you something about them. Their seeds are much loved by ants (they are very sticky and sweet) The ants lick them and in the process the seeds roll, and eventually a new plant appears.....

    Have a good week Frank and thank you for touching my heart this Monday morning....

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  14. FAB27 February 2012 at 10:20

    Hi Dave. Yes, I always have to be reminded that you are still in the depth of winter when our blooms start to appear.

    Thank Mona .. I'll pass on your good wishes.

    Hi Cheryl. It was a pleasure to do this small thing and pleased it brougt some joy.
    Thanks for the info ... I'll keep an eye open for the seed movers.

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  15. Mary Howell Cromer27 February 2012 at 10:58

    Frank, this so brightened my morning, hearing that your father is doing well having received his new mobility! Your Mum has to have been so weary worrying over him and how things will now be. I do hope that those in charge of helping you all out with the upstairs facilities, shall not dally long. Your images did make me happy as well. Yes, I have to prop up my Lenten Roses to see their delicate faces, as well. BTW..may this be of encouragement. There is a wonderful gentleman in my church and he has 2 artificial legs and no one hardly knows, if they have not heard his story. I watched as he passed the offering plate yesterday and Frank, it is absolutely amazing! best of all good fortunes and hopefully a respite for a bit~

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  16. The Herald27 February 2012 at 15:55

    A beautiful and touching post for your mum Frank. Mums do have to put up with a lot don't they? Best wishes to your Dad may he go from strength to strength...[;o)

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  17. FAB27 February 2012 at 18:20

    Hi Mary. It is great to be able to post some really positive news at long last ... Dad is so determined to get back into his workshop and organise the gardening chores (which someone else will no doubt have to carry out!)
    Thanks for keeping a very friendly eye on us all...FAB.

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  18. FAB27 February 2012 at 18:23

    Cheers Trevor. Mum will definitely be looking to see that he puts that new leg to good use!

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  19. Carol Mattingly27 February 2012 at 21:56

    Thanks for stopping by Frank to say hello on my blog. I am so glad you've enjoyed the images from GSMNP. I'm so so happy to hear about your father's progress. That is absolutely unbelievable. That guy has moxy. Hopefully soon he'll be as close to normal as one person can be in his situation. This getting old thing, it ain't all it's cracked up to be. Carol

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  20. Midmarsh John28 February 2012 at 09:07

    You have so much more colour than we have here at the moment.
    Great to hear the progress your father is making.

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  21. eileeninmd28 February 2012 at 10:39

    I am also sending good wishes to your parents and hope to see your Dad make even more progress. Lovely colors and flowers. Have a wonderful day.

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  22. FAB28 February 2012 at 17:48

    Hi Carol. Yeah ... why is it when we were young we only wanted to be older ..lol.

    Hi John. Just being that much further south must make a difference.

    Thank Eileen.

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  23. Reena28 February 2012 at 22:02

    Looking forward to our blooms in the next month. But so nice to see yours. And congrats to your dad! Not an easy feat for an older gentleman ...may his strength continue!

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    Replies
    1. FAB1 March 2012 at 23:09

      Thanks Reena. We took him out for a brief stroll around a Garden Centre yesterday ... he soon got tired!

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  24. Chris1 March 2012 at 21:13

    Hi Frank,
    I'm happy that your dad is getting on with life... I guess it was nice to see a smile on his face after all this. Nice pictures of the garden as always! Wish the best to your parents.

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    Replies
    1. FAB1 March 2012 at 23:10

      Thanks very much Chris. He was quite astounded when I passed on everyones good wishes.

      Delete
  25. Shirleyanne14 March 2012 at 21:00

    Hello Frank, sorry, I've only just caught up with your blog. Your mention of me was such a kind gesture, but I'm certainly not the only one to have been going through some difficult times! My sincere thoughts go to you, your father & your family aswell!
    The Hellebores are such a beautiful flower, don't always realise as the bloom is always bowed. My neighbour has several varieties now, always wonderful to see. The first signs of flowers a welcomed sight, spring definitley on it's way.... Finally, good to see you posting regularly again. I must visit more often. Take care!

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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