Summer is a little late, but the foxglove is right on time

Summer is officially here according to the calendar, but on cold, wet June days, there’s a question about that. Hubby says, “By July 5, we’ll have summer!”

Some days it’s best to make alternative lists or pick short activities that can be done depending on the next stretch of weather arriving. We keep our boots handy.

Foxgloves have been a delightful focus this month on our trips between here and Gig Harbor. Yes, we have a few nearby, but I love seeing the masses of assorted colors near the highway.

An English gardener once noted in a book she published that in her garden she had many “little things that come of themselves.” It’s been true in my gardens, too, although some, like foxgloves, aren’t very little.

I have no idea when the first foxgloves appeared in this area, but the grow ill ove the country and in many other countries, too. The official name is Digitalis purpurea, and yes, ALL parts of the plant are poisonous, even deadly, if eaten. So this isn’t a good plant for a garden where children and pets roam and play.

We have a photo of a whole hillside near Carbonado covered with pretty pink foxgloves, no purple or white among them. There is much variety and color in most plantings, and recently I saw one that was purple on the lower half, and white on the top.

Other names for the plant include fairy bells, fairy gloves and lady’s glove, one I don’t understand.

A friend tells of a woman who loved taking bouquets of foxgloves to church. My friend watched and counted the flowers that dropped during the service. It always happened, not surprising as the bottom ones do drop off before the top ones are all open. An arrangement that catches and hides the fallen blossoms is best for such bouquets.

There’s always something blooming, inside or out, but we don’t have a full calendar of bouquet flowers to select from. The season for rhododendron bouquets is about over, so it may be the next one will be foxgloves and field daisies.

Library coming along

The Vaughn Library Hall is showing some more progress. New windows, doors, and lots of painting in process. Especially for those of us who grew up using the library and enjoying various events in the hall, this is a marvelous project to watch. We know it will never be what it once was, but in some cases, a good improvement.

Parking is limited, but in my growing up days, people walked to events. Many more people could gather without worrying about parking space. It will be exciting to attend and welcome others into our “historic structure” before too long.

The restrictions of the Covid Pandemic have been frustrating for almost everyone I know, but those of us who don’t mind staying home and limiting our associations to telephone, computer and letter-writing have not minded such restriction for awhile. Our hearts go out to those who are hurting because of no work or income.

We appreciate the easing of the rules a little, and trust the process will continue. We’ve been able to shop as needed, recently attending church and having dinner with our daughter and hubby, but we look forward to seeing more people again and traveling to see family.

A friend used to say when negative things happened, “It came to pass.” We know it will, we just wish it were sooner.

This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 12:57 PM.