21 Comments

I love this. One of the things that keeps me going is your writing. Thanks so much ~

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Hydrangeas were always a focal point in my grandparents flower gardens. My grampa would adjust the ph in the soil levels to attain a variety of vibrant colors. My gramma mispronounced the name throughout her life and we fondly remember them as "hydro-geraniums". I love now knowing 'the rest of the story'. Thanks, Jeff.

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A chemist-gardener! Thanks for sharing that story, Juel. Someday, when we have a whole kitchen again, I would love to have you all over. Hope you're well.

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Juel I so relate to you -- I also had grandparents like that.

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I have loved hydrangeas since college, when I was a gardener in the summers. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. What's keeping me going? Pantsuit Politics podcast. Weeding and pruning the overgrown yard at our new house. Wanting to push for reproductive health care rights for all... before my six-year-old is old enough to be directly affected. Wanting to impeach Clarence Thomas before he can take any more rights away. Probably not answers you were looking for, but I have to hope that we can solidify rights for all, not just rights for those that had rights in the 1700s.

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Thank you for sharing this story. So beautiful. I had never heard it before, but now it makes my hydrangea more special.

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I'll never look at my hydrangeas the same. Thank you for sharing this lovely legend.

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A quiet walk in the early morning fills me with the beauty of the sunrise. Usually it’s very calm in the early morning so birdsongs and whispers that come from the forest help ground me and take me beyond the instability all around

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Loved the legend and seeing your vase photo ignited fond memories of the vintage-blue and lavender tones of hydrangeas that lined my grandparent's driveway in Southern California. My grandfather was truly a garden guardians, knowing the soil balances, the exact care required and he possessed the pruning skills to produce a beautiful display of flowers, fruit trees and vegetables. Gardening is now my own challenges in retirement (Yikes! It is truly a dance for me)- digging in the dirt is a therapeutic way to focus away from the world's disarray! Everyone should have a plant.

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That's enough for me tonight.

Thanks Jeff as always

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I will think of this post when I admire the hydrangeas in the Bay Area where I currently live. Your writing is balm for the soul💕

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Your writing and a new puppy are keeping us going!

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What kind of puppy???

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A love child mutt mix of corgi and ?? I’d send a photo but can’t get one through here. Gotta say it’s pure dopamine 😁

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Thank you Jeff - love your honesty

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Things keeping me going:

-finally getting rain after a very long dry spell in Texas

-my kids laughter

-crepe myrtle trees blooming

-a good summer read

-ocean cleanup project updates

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On my fridge I have two magnets. One reads SMITE THEM, O LORD! and the other FUELED BY FAITH NOT BY FEAR encircled by ACTION, FAITH, LOVE, JUSTICE, COMPASSION. What keeps me going is found in that contradiction.

Thank you so much for the story. I love hydrangeas - especially the lace-capped and the climbing kind. And yes, moonbeams indeed! :)

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What's keeping me going right now? Two things I suppose: 1. Walking my dog when the evening begins to cool, and 2. Prayer, which is odd, because I had pretty much given it up.

I have 2 hydrangeas... 1 that is thriving and the other that gets just enough sun to dry up the petals. It's been hot here in So Cal.

Thank you for your beautiful words and the picture of your gorgeous hydrangea. Your words are a bit of a respite.

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Attentiveness and gratitude can be prayer.

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I have hydrangeas too . Small but

Sweet! Thank you for your generous spirit! I feel like I know you.

Wilma

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I love hydrangeas also. Thank you for sharing this lovely legend.

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