My Lottie/Garden

5 May '06 11:30 pm

Yes, I see what you mean. They're very pretty... but just a little too predictible.

Still, I like the photos and seeing the lotties. It makes me curious as to why people don't have gardens in thier backyards? No backyards?

5 May '06 11:59 pm

No... not all that many people have back yards as you know them. Everything is a bit compact here. Most all houses do have some sort of back and front space for plants or whatever they wish...but not the generous expanses of yard like exist in amerika or other countries. hahaha. It's a question of space. We are a small country and "space" must be organized. And if you live in a flat as we do, then there's only a bit of balcony space. Just enough room for some balcony boxes. We put afrikaantjes in them this year.
Yes...I like seeing them too, no matter their form. Each to their own.

6 May '06 12:16 am

I've seen the small gardens of London homes, and it sounds similiar to that. Is that a fair comparison? We also have "flats" here.... we call them apartments.... so I am familiar with the small balconies you have. I think the way our cities are laid out is very similiar. Lots of flats in the heart of the city, row houses farther out, then homes on the outskirts.

I live in a more rural area, in a small town. We have flats here, and row houses, but mostly homes with yards. We have a small lot... well, small by our measure, but I like it. There's enough room for a small veggie patch and lots of flowers, so I am happy to have it.

My father's family came from the Netherlands many generations ago. One of my Aunts had our family history done and it was quite a surprise to find out that the old family stories of the House of Orange were actually true! See, the first person on my father's side to come to America (in the 1700's) was a defector from the House of Orange. He was the eldst son of the ruler and, as the story goes, his father had a royal fit! LOL.

As children, we would just roll our eyes when dad would tell the story and think he was making it up to entertain us.... Come to find out, the stories were true. Boy were we surprised!

6 May '06 12:05 pm

Heh heh heh...what a nice story. The House of orange are still our monarchs. It's nice when parents' stories turn out to be true isn't it?
Well, I don't think that the cities are laid out quite the same. For one thing there is an enormous amout of "green" in our cities and living areas such as trees, shrubs and flowers that the city government creates and maintains.It is an integral part of city planning here. I don't recall seeing so much there. I do recall lots and lots of advertising signs though.An amazing array.
Further, the housing zones are not exactly the same as there...with the sharp demarcation between city center and suburbs.
Our city and village centers are still quite alive and have not been changed by things such as malls for instance. I think that one difference that I have noticed is that we still have butcher shops, bakery shops and other speciality shops like the old days, but I have noticed that in ameriks that these small enterprises have been replaced by speciality sections in super markets. This is changing more and more, however.
By far the biggest difference is the size of the yards though. Many homes in your country have such marvelously sumptous yards! Here such yards would definately be a luxury. Ha ha ha.

6 May '06 12:16 pm

I think you are right. Big yards are a luxury here, too. Although, in the more rural areas like were we live its much more common to find them.

The centers of our cities do not have large green areas. I wish they did. And, I wish that they would stop tearing down historical buildings and calling it "progress". Look at cities like London, or Rome.... they have managed to preserve the old buildings.

There is a big push here to have "green roofs" in our cities. I think the idea started in Germany... and I think its wonderful! I was doing some reading on it the other day and was amazed that no one had thought of the idea before now. I don't know that it will be wide-spread enough to make a huge impact on the environment, but I think its a start. It shows a growing awareness of the problems.

One thing about Americans that I don't care for is the "more is better" attitude. They think they have to live in a HUGE house (we're talking 8,000 square feet and up!)... drive gas guzzling HUGE SUV's (because they have to haul thier kids to activites).... and spend every cent they have on the latest trend. Its very upsetting to me.

I drive an SUV.... an economy model. It gets as good of gas mileage as a sedan! And I live in an area that gets HEAVY snows in the winter, so 4-wheel drive is great for getting to work. It rides 5 comfortably enough and its not bad looking. Why anyone needs a SUV with the front seats, and 2 sets of back seats to haul around 3 kids is beyond me! Then they complain about gas prices????!!!! HEEELLLLOOO!!!!!!

Okay.... I'll get off my soap box... sorry for the rant.

6 May '06 12:25 pm

I hope you don't mind if I post a photo in your diary?....

I wanted to share this photo with you. It is a historic building in the center of our town that has been restored. It is a hotel, and is just beautiful inside and out. Its actually older that the town itself.... it was built when the railroad used to stop here to refuel and refill with water....

You will notice all the flags across the front... there is a flag for every country that is a member of the United Nations. We actually have dignitaries (both US and foreign) stay here regularly.

9 May '06 10:34 am

Sjoerdd ---the picture of the little bird at the doorway of the half -shoe is enchanting ,and it is pictures such as these that make Mooseys garden website the special place it is .
Dixie.

9 May '06 10:53 am

Thanks for posting the piccy of that nice-looking hotel building. I like old structures. The flags are a nice touch, aren't they.
In my travels I once stayed in a hotel where "Lawrence of Arabia" slept in Aleppo, Syria, Thet had the registry book below in the lobby and I could have slept in the room that he used, but true to the Dutch ethic, so we declined as it was more than twice the price of the regular rooms.Chuckle. Being in Aleppo was interesting enough, believe me.
I'm so happy that you liked the birdhouse, Liza. I am including a pic of a little visitor to our plot.
My wife and I had returned from a stroll across the complex for a look-see and a chat to find birds chirping and flying all around our little shed. I went inside to set the tea and saw him sitting up on a plank. I put my fingers at it's feet and he simply stepped onto them. My partner took fotos and I stepped outside and put it in the small maple just outside the door.
Wonders never cease.

9 May '06 11:29 am

Here are soem of the frogs that inhabit the small canal alongsude out lottie. Sometimes their romantic concerts are almost definating...chuckle. Not really. I don't think that I have ever taken a foto of a frog with it's airsacks inflated.
We were planting Runner beans along the slootje and these guys took absolutely no notice of us...they just went about their business. Trouble was that a reiger(blue heron)passed over once when they were all ribbiting at once and... returned. The frogs found in the sloots are it's favourite food....ahhhhhh...poor things.
Then a single foto of a lovely euphorbia.

10 May '06 9:18 pm

Hi Sjoerd, I love 'wandering' into your garden and seeing your artistic, masonry and gardening skills! Love your macro shots of the variegated tulips and anemones too! Ah... your birdie house too (very creatively carved!), what a bonus to be able to attract a bird in!!
Your lottie will definitely be as beautiful as last year's or better, with so much of planning, enthusiasm and hardwork!! Thanks for sharing!

My Lottie/Garden

Backyards

Bird house

Cottage and Dix

Frogs and Flowers

Your Lottie/Garden