“‘Tis like the birthday of the world,
When earth was born in bloom;
The light is made of many dyes,
The air is all perfume:
There’s crimson buds, and white and blue,
The very rainbow showers
Have turned to blossoms where they fell,
And sown the earth with flowers.”

~ Thomas Hood (English poet, author, and humorist; 1799 – 1845)
Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife

Embracing a Japanese garden means investing in a lifetime of beauty and tranquility. In exchange for love and care, these gardens offer unparalleled returns, enriching the lives of those who have the pleasure of living in these privileged spaces. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore the unique qualities of Japanese-inspired gardens and their profound impact.

At the heart of a Japanese garden is the principle of serenity, achieved through the thoughtful concept of “ma” – the intentional space between objects. Unlike Western gardens, where the emphasis often lies on the objects that fill the space, “ma” celebrates the emptiness, the pauses that foster reflection and bring balance. This concept extends beyond physical spaces; it touches on art, music, time, presence, indeed, all of life.

Gardens that prioritize the concept of “ma” become havens of harmony and serenity, offering respite for the soul amidst the chaos of everyday life. If your life feels overcrowded, consider a Japanese garden designed with “ma” in mind – an oasis of calm where you can pause to rest your eyes, quiet your soul, and breathe deeply.

Gratefully shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife (& stillness seeker)

“A delicate fabric of bird song
Floats in the air,
The smell of wet wild earth
Is everywhere.
Oh I must pass nothing by
Without loving it much,
The raindrop try with my lips,
The grass with my touch;
For how can I be sure
I shall see again
The world on the first of May
Shining after the rain?”

~ Sara Teasdale (American poet; 1884 – 1933)

Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman
Gardener’s wife (& spring-rain walker)

Our garden investment has blessed me in so many ways, some I never imagined! Like today…our garden is lit up with bright spring sunshine!

I look outside and see the sunshine sparkling on the glossy leaves of the Southern Magnolias just outside my office window. I gaze across at the play of light on the newly-opened, fresh green leaves of an ornamental tree against the darker green of evergreen Cryptomerias. And I know that when I step onto the sun-warmed patio in just a few moments, my heart will swell with the intensity of backlit sunshine through the intricate, brilliantly chartreuse leaves of a Pine Bark Japanese Maple.

Who knew the intricacies of sunlight in our garden could bring such joy to my heart?

What about you? What garden discoveries are lighting up your life this spring?

Gladly shared by Betty Hanselman

Gardener’s wife

“The hope in a gardener’s heart is strengthened every year by the experience of watching green settle in a filmy veil over bare branches, watching a bare, raked plot of ground suddenly explode with busy, purposeful growth.

Hope is nurtured every time a pruned-back bush sends forth invigorated shoots, every time a languishing bush flourishes in a new location . . . . Hope is nurtured just by being in the company of trees and plants and flowers, by witnessing the relentless strength and energy of growing things.”

~ Emilie Barnes (Contemporary gardener and author in Time Began in a Garden)

Wishing you hope and joy in the experience of green, growing things during this beautiful season of the year!