We continue to have beautiful snowfalls 
followed by melt, thaw and freeze. On gray winter days, there is nothing more satisfying than gathering colorful pictures of the garden together to create a story.
In one way, it is looking back at the previous year’s triumphs in the garden 
but in another, it is a way of tracing the exploration of an idea over a long period of time. 
Even as I gradually transform the garden into a more pollinator friendly place, I will probably never let go of a few of those plants that inspired me to garden in the first place. I have removed hundreds of plants in my garden in the past three years – those that were invasive or did not serve the eco-system that I am trying to build – and added hundreds of others that contributed to life in the garden. But roses (click on any photo to see a larger image)
daylilies, peonies, lilies, and others
– many of which are interlopers in the North American landscape – still have their place in my heart and I’ve kept those I love the most and which do no harm. My garden behind the fence is still arranged by color and I continue to play in that most ephemeral of paintboxes.
A few weeks ago, I collaborated with a group of gardeners on YouTube to create our own videos of how we interpreted the Art of Gardening, then sharing links to each other’s videos. 
I immediately gravitated to playing with color – it is something that looks good on the screen and people in the northern hemisphere are desperately hungry for color during our long gray and white winters. Creating short garden videos has become a new form of expression for me – I continue to learn and refine my skills while working to add new techniques. My instincts proved correct – my collaboration video has gone a bit viral and gives me encouragement to pursue this avenue of expression. Enjoy a feast of color for the eyes, spring is not far off!
All text and images @2024 Lynn Emberg Purse, All Rights Reserved (excepting the collaboration photo)
while the leaves in the woods began their slow shift into the colors of fire. 
The trees in the surrounding woods slowly crescendoed from a murmur of pale gold 
to a full-throated song of orange and russet red. 
The leaves lie on the ground and pale winter sunlight has replaced the mysterious shadows and deep colors of autumn. The fall symphony has come to a close and winter waits in the wings, a new season carrying its own quiet beauty.
Next year, those changes should be more evident in the number and diversity of insects and birds yet still add beauty and balance to the garden.
Pixie decided to erase the error by breaking her year-long record of no counter-surfing; she was feeling left out of the festivities and grabbed her own piece of cake. 
Honestly, it was a day of hilarity and celebration, from the time we removed the cake from its box and started giggling, toasted the day with Prosecco, reminisced over our wedding album photos, and laughed at Pixie’s antics. Forty-four years of loving and laughing has brought its own point of equanimity to our marriage.
When I awake tomorrow, the earth will be poised on its seasonal moment of balance. May you find joy and balance in your days ahead, no matter what comes your way. Happy Equinox!
My favorite peony is ‘Krinkled White’ whose single flowers expose the inner parts that feed the bees and yet resist falling to the ground after a rain. 
and offer more food for pollinators. 
The single rose flowers catch the sun and spread their sweet scent in every direction. 
She asked if she could help me with garden chores. So grown up.
composerinthegarden 