Backyard Sanctuary

I am sitting on our lower back deck in the shade of the gazebo while the curtains wave gently in the breeze. The other day, I let loose the curtains that have been tied back in each of the four corners of the gazebo for the first time. Yes. You read that right.

The gazebo was here when we moved in in December 2022. One would think that I would have at least shaken them out to see what they look like last summer, but I didn’t. We (well, mostly Gerry) were busy taking out the grass in the backyard and putting in raised bed gardens. That, and basking in the gift of having our own space after living with the constraints of a strata and, most of all, for me, enjoying the sheer miracle of being a Saskatchewan resident again after fifty years away. The gazebo curtains were the farthest thing from my mind.

But now, with the curtains drawn on two sides, I see that it makes a private sanctuary where I plan to spend a good chunk of time between now and autumn. I thought I wouldn’t put our outdoor mats out this year because it was a constant battle in the Saskatchewan wind. The gazebo changes all that because one must have mats in an outdoor sanctuary. The drawn curtains will aid in the wind wars, too. I asked Gerry to bring one of the mats around the other day and I’ll pull out at least one more for the space. I’ll share a photo once I have it looking the way I want.

So, just now I sit listening to birdsong and watching Miss Molly explore the wonders of the backyard. Earlier, I tucked a few more seeds in the ground (zucchini, delicata squash, and pattypan squash) and watered those I planted a few days ago. I watered the raised beds and the raspberry canes Gerry planted on the weekends. I stopped to enjoy the sweet scent of cherry blossoms and paused to watch bees flit from flower to flower. It’s simply the best way to enjoy a quiet afternoon at home.

Tomorrow, we’ll put dirt in planter pots and take a trip to one of the nurseries to buy flowers. I’m not rushing. It’s still cool at night here on the prairie. There’s plenty of time.

It’s spring and it’s beautiful and I’m thankful for small and simple things. The robin sitting on her nest in our neighbour’s yard. Spinach already growing in the garden. The miracle of tucking seeds in the ground and watching them turn into plants we can eat. A glass of ice water on the table beside me. Lilac buds close to flowering. Trees that look greener and fuller every day. Stillness.

And our gazebo curtained sanctuary; a gift that was waiting to be discovered.