Sunday, June 17, 2007

Bloom Day and Bloom's Day

Oh, Sorry everyone but I thought that this Sunday was the 15th and I completely missed Bloom Day. I took lots of pictures last night and then realized that it was the 16th! No matter - I will post what is blooming in my garden tonight.

A literary note: The phrase "Bloom's Day" has been developed from the great work of James Joyce, Ulysses. It is the extremely detailed, symbolic and sometimes maddening literary work telling of one day in the life of Leopold Bloom and his emotional and physical journey through 1904 Dublin on June 16th. The characters mirror the individuals who people the epic poem of Homer's Odyssey . It is quite a difficult read and I've been tackling it bit by bit with the help of a reader's guide - it is interesting, but tough, going. I choose to savor his wonderful writing in very small bites - much easier to digest. Anyway, back to Bloom's Day.

Here is a quote from Wikipedia that explains it somewhat:
Bloomsday—June 16th—is an annual celebration among Joyce fans throughout the world, from Fort Lauderdale to Melbourne. It is celebrated in at least sixty countries worldwide, but nowhere so imaginatively, of course, as in Dublin. There the events of Leopold Bloom's day are reenacted by anyone who cares to participate, and his itinerary is followed all across Dublin.

I find it very interesting that a book that is not easily accessible to the general reader (myself included) has garnered such a seemingly intense and staunch audience.

The large part of my gardening is finished and now there will be the occasional weeding, watering, and deadheading. That, to me, is the easy part. We've had a hot and dry week here and each night when I get home, I'm watering container plantings. It's fun to do in the dark because I hear and smell things that are only apparent at night.
Here are some of the pretties that are in bloom a few days after Bloom Day:


Larkspur and Coreopsis


Petunias and a pig and Dianthus


Iceberg and Nearly Wild
... Stella de Oro and Madame Hardy

Window boxes under our bedroom window .....with pretty Goat's Beard

Lovely petunias, Alyssum and a lone daylily




Fantastic celosia!


Tippy pots ......... the welcome bear ..........Asiatic lily

Campanula .........Goat's Beard .........a small shrub rose I grew from seed.


Rugosa rose and Sweet William in the vegetable garden ....



A new type of "African" impatient.

The gardens are so beautiful now and I'm full of satisfaction.
Take full account of the excellencies which you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not. Marcus Aurelius

Bye for now,
Alyssa

7 comments:

Mary said...

Alyssa,

Those flower boxes and incredible! All of the work you did certainly paid off. Your garden is special and striking.

I'm so glad you name your flowers because I learn something every time I visit you.

Happy Bloom's Day!

kate said...

Your tippy pots are looking great. I love them! Goatsbeard is so pretty - the windowboxes under your bedroom window look great and the hostas there are stunning.

I didn't know about James Joyce and Bloom's Day. That was really interesting ... you are courageous taking on 'Ulysses'. That is supposed to be a tough read... one I have never attempted.

Your pig and your welcoming bear are so sweet - I love them.

Thanks, too, for your caring and your comments in my blog. They are much appreciated. Today I am feeling at peace - my friend is a wonderful person and I will always be grateful for having known him.

Carol Michel said...

I always say, "better late than not at all". Thanks for posting what is blooming in your gardens in mid-June and for the explanation of "the other Bloom's Day". Quite different events!

Now mark your calendar for July 15th, to do another post for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

Alyssa said...

Mary - Thank you for the compliments. It means so much to me that others enjoy our gardens as much as we do. I will try to keep naming my photos - I'm getting the hang of posting now and it is much easier.


Kate - I love the Goatsbeard, but unfortunately, it doesn't last too long. That's why I like it so much. Joyce is my literary "project" for the year and it's tough going. I'm happy you're feeling better and did not take offense at what I had written. I'm sure there is someone just waiting to meet you and add joy to your life.


Carol - Thanks for stopping by and yes, definately I'll mark my calendar right now!! Won't miss it next month.

Pam said...

WOW! A riot of color and variety, so very beautiful. Is that ivy on your house? I love it, and your window boxes rock!

Alyssa said...

Pam - Thank you. Yes, that is ivy around the window boxes. We finally gave up trying to keep it in bounds and I love it. It does have to be kept from growing on the roof though. On the other wall is Virginia Creeper. That is my favorite because it has a brilliant red in the Fall.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Thanks for the photo tour, nice shots, I live in a John Deere town in Iowa.