Hydrangeas and Cosmos Around the Patio Area
Our project is now almost 4 years old. This morning I saw a beautiful sight. I looked out the windows of my studio and there were 5 gold finches munching away on the cosmos. For the first 2 years, I never saw a bird at the corner of Greene & Berkey. I am thrilled how the former gravel parking lot is now a bloom with viburnums, hydrangeas, daylilies and an assortment of other vibrant flowers.
We have worked on various projects—the gallery, the large capacity rain barrels and the permeanable pavers parking lots during the worst economic crisis since the depression. Until very recently our county had the highest unemployment rate in the country. We applied for the Lowe’s/National Trust Grant for old schools and were very disappointed last week when we learned we didn’t get the grant. The money would have made it possible to get a new roof, insulation, repair the parapet, repair the furnace and replace the 1970’s aluminum windows. We are exploring other options now.
My studio is great. I love it and I am close enough to downtown that I can walk there to get a cup of coffee. Of course those of you who know me, know that there are very few places that I can’t walk to—especially true when it comes to getting a cup of coffee. Our rain barrels are amazing! We have kept everything green and growing and have not had to use city water at all this summer. The flag irises around our detention pond are flourishing. I planted one marsh marigold to see if it would grow and it is doing great. If it continues to grow, next year we will plant more.
