“The greater damage for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” – Michelangelo (1475-1564)

We may be happy with the restoration (resurrection) here on Saint Patrick Street, but the “garden” may well take longer still. But it’s okay because – and this is true for every part of life – if we were done it would mean we’d likely already be dead! Because resurrection really is just the beginning!

This week, freed up by the recent and most welcome relief in ambient temperatures (highs in the low-to-mid 80’s instead of the mid 90’s), I have been able to work a little in the garden and also walk the neighborhood again.

A lot of people have been like us – unable to do much beyond try to keep things tidy, but regardless of the lack of garden-club level efforts the historic district is still putting on a good face for the summer.

Much of the landscaping is old and a little wild, but – everywhere from Pitt Street all the way past the Town Common and beyond the Blount-Bridgers house – there are streets and homes and gardens worth taking the time for a wander.

One particularly bright spot is the Guild Garden, maintained by Calvary Episcopal Church, featuring Hydrangea, Magnolia and various Lillies. The design makes for a great combination of informal and cultivated and I’d love to see landscaping like this one day around some of the currently empty and decaying homes on Saint Patrick and Church Streets.

As for us in our newly restored home, we are well behind in the garden but with plans in the making. The excessive heat came at just the wrong time and, in consequence, it is going to take a while before we make any real headway on the our yard.

But we are talking with landscape professionals to develop an integrated plan that will eventually incorporate Rebekah’s vision, native plantings, materials sensitive to the historical context, and our growing need to cultivate a fairly low-maintenance environment.

In the meanwhile I will pull weeds where I can, try not to kill the little grass we have, and take advantage of any cooler days as they come along.

It looks like initially restoring the house was just the beginning.

But this all adds up to a great metaphor for life. This restoration business is – it must be – an ongoing process, because resurrection, it turns out, is just the beginning.

Peace and promise – DEREK