Sunday, July 12, 2009

Patterns....

What an amazing structure, in the shape of a globe... A glistening globe........
Ah.... come into my parlour, said the Spider to the Fly....

The intricacy of a spider web never ceases to amaze me. The glistening threads, woven together just so. The time and dedication it takes to construct this. And often, with a flick of a broom or the wave of a hand, the life work of this little creature, is carelessly swept away.

Summer here has been cool and rainy. Very atypical for this time of year. But like the Spider, we continue on in our familiar patterns. Weaving our stories...

Thought I would "rescue" some tiger lilies from the bottom of our street. The huge tractors and diggers had demolished some of the wild lilies that were growing in the ditch. So with shovel and wheelbarrow (and hoping the neighbours would not see me), I set out.

Those lilies were so entrenched in the mud, there was no way I could free them. I did manage to pull a very small clump out by hand, but had to leave the rest.
Two of my neighbours passed in their cars. One of them waved. The other ignored me. Wouldn't you know.......on a Sunday afternoon - just when I thought everybody would be out enjoying the day, or visiting with friends.

Then somebody else passed by, rolled down his window "Good Luck!" he called.
Hmmmm - had he tried to "rescue" these lilies too?


18 comments:

Cloudhands said...

It's that age old conflict of being willing to step up and do a kindness like saving a life, all-be-it a plant life, or not wanting to get involved and looking the other way. Or did I stretch reality a little to much there. Whichever, I certainly enjoyed your retelling of your adventure. Oh, yes, the spider is a true artist. The first picture reminded me of a big sparkling soap bubble. Amazing structures aren't they.

Anonymous said...

I always try to leave the spiders where I find them, unless of course I walk face first into their web.
I would have helped you coax those lilies from their mire. As a team we probably would have been no more successful, but it might have doubled the amusement of the audience!

XOSue

Grammy said...

That is great that you tried to save them. I had a number of plant in my old yard that way. I always took things people did not want any more. I had the space to give them a new home. Even hubby brought home plants he had to dig up from asphalt jobs. One time I got 2 burning bush's from an Ice cream place. And they live on today with out me .
Enjoy your new rescues.

Celia said...

Good for you, attempting the rescue. I hate seeing plants destroyed, trees cut, and so on. When I see a house has come down (development - ewh!) I hope the plants will survive. Often they do not but now again you see someone's roses still blooming, certain trees still thriving where you know they didn't plant themselves. Hopeful I think.

Maggie May said...

Well at least you were trying to rescue the lilies, no one could accuse you of stealing them!
Some one is always in the wrong place at the wrong time!

Spider's webs are fascinating. i was looking at them while drinking my mug of tea in the garden, yesterday. So intricately woven.
I do hate the feel of it on my body though if I happen to inadvertently walk through one. Yuk!

Rose said...

Wendy, this is too funny--I dug up some wildflowers from the ditch last week, too. I was hoping no one would see me or that I wouldn't get in trouble for it; wouldn't you know, my neighbor asked me about it the next day:) I hope your lilies survive and thrive for you; they're putting on such a colorful display this year, and I've noticed more homeowners adding them to their garden.

Spider webs are fascinating, I agree; I usually try to leave them alone, unless they're over my front door--then I have to knock them down, or some of my family would never walk in!

Unknown said...

Beautiful patterns indeed! So intricately woven. Love the way you made the connection~~about weaving stories.

Hope your salvaged plants do well. This reminds me of my habit of helping myself to wayside plants. Last year I got dark pink four o'clocks from the roadside. Passing by that area I'd always look out of the car window to see how they were doing. And they were always there. And that was re-assuring. But recently, the roadsides were cleared up ( by the municipality) and now no trace remains that once there was a thriving, large clump of four o'clocks.

Looking back I'm glad I helped myself to a plant or two. At least the ones I'd got are doing well!

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy....spiders webs are just so beautiful....I always feel so guilty if I damage one. Like you I think of all the work.....

So funny.....I can see you with your wheelbarrow and spade.....trying to rescue the lillies......I do hope that you manage to get some.....

Have fun Wendy......

amelia said...

Aren't they just the most amazing things? No one is allowed to kill a spider or any other bug while in my house. The only exceptions are mosquitos!!

My kids are always arguing with me about the spider thing when they come to stay but I take every one outside however long it takes me.

beckie said...

Wendy, isn't that always the way? :) You take a quick trip to the store, take ou the trash-whatever and don't have your makeup on or your hair done and you see people you haven't seen in ages. Some one always stops to talk. I figure I've given them something to feel good about. As in, "did you see how she has let herself go? I'm glad I'm not like that!" Hope your lilies make it after all that work.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Wendy, I've said this before--but I'm going to say it again. I love your new blog. SO neat!!!!

Spider webs are intriguing... So much work for them--and then we come along and destroy it in a flip of a finger!!!!!

Hope you could save some of those lilies. What a shame that they didn't tell you all (in the neighborhood) to help yourselves BEFORE they started digging.... GADS!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Carin Fuchs said...

I am sorry to be late but anyway: Congrats, what a wonderful new blog.

P.S. Have you dusted off those sparkling, Godess-styled pair of shoe's yet? LOL
Lots of hugs
Carin

Abba's Girl said...

Beautiful post and pictures...I prefer to see pics of spider webs in your yard than experience them in mine!

Wendy said...

Hi Cloudhands, no you did not stretch reality in the least. I'm a rescuer, whether people, plants, or animals. There are times when I've been chastened for "rescuing", but that's another story....
The spider web does look like a soap bubble!

Hi Florida Sue, that's a good idea!! Can you imagine what people would say?? Anyway, we'd have a good time.

Hi Grammy, it's good to breathe new life into plants nobody wants. I'm not much good at fixing things, often prefer to buy new, but with plants it's totally different. Maybe it's because they're alive.
Enjoy your plants. Nice that hubby brought you some to nurture.

Hi Celia, I'm with you there. I hate to see plants destroyed by people. And love to witness the ones who survive.

Hi Maggie May, I was rescuing, but felt like I was stealing, that's way I did not want anybody to see me. Whatever - it didn't work. No, I don't much like the feel of cobwebs either. I just enjoy looking at them.

Hi Rose, that's hilarious! I guess we're on the same wave length!! I hope your flowers survive too.

Hi Kanak, oh, you've got my number. I like to connect plants to stories. Good for you saving those 4 o'clocks!! I am glad you did and can enjoy them today.

Hi Cheryl, I don't think I've paid as much attention to spider webs as I have since blogging. I really do find them fascinating - and even though it's only the spider's instinct, it looks like such a lot of work.
Also, I've never put on rubber boots, thick work gloves and strode down the street pushing a wheelbarrow before. Now that hubby can't do those things, I do. And this summer it feels o.k. Never did before. This was man's work. Now I do as much as I can. And I'm learning to build up my strength (which will take a lot of building).

Hi Amelia, I oon't blame you with the mosquitos. They can be vicious!

Oh Beckie, you make me laugh. It's always like that, isn't it? I have actually avoided people I know so they wouldn't see me looking "proper". But then I thought "how silly, as if they don't run to the store without makeup" Ah well, such is life. Happy gardening.

Hi Betsy, thanks for your compliments. I like change. And I like the new header on your blog too. Oh, I can't possibly see the town taking the time to tell people to help themselves to plants. Not in their job description. LOL! But it would be nice.

Hi Carin, I've been wondering where you were!! Those sandals are still dusty in my closet. I have a christening to attend this weekend, and I will definitely be wearing them then. If you remember, they are not very practical, so will only wear them for an occasion. Hope things are going well for you.

Hi Annette - well at least you are honest! LOL!

Marimoy said...

Sounds to me like one of your neighbors may be on your team! Don't be embarrassed if they see you that way. It's who you are! If they don't like it, too bad. We do!

Rajesh said...

Very nice shots.

Shammickite said...

Even if you only rescue a teeny piece of the lily, they grow like wildfire once established, so you'll have a nice crop of blossoms in a couple of years.
I rescued some ancient peonies when the empty lot next door was cruelly excavated for the foundations of a new house... and they are thriving, pink and white!

Beverly said...

Hi Wendy, I love your spider web. I tried to catch one on my camera this a.m., but I wasn't as successful.

I need to get your address changed in my sidebar, so I don't forget to come here!