"Cristmas Garden" (Part 2 of 2)

He was getting excited. Nanny could see him constructing the building in his mind’s eye, improvising, both in the telling to her and in the magical reality building inside his head, adding embellishments as he went along. That proclivity, to live on the edge, take on all challenges, improvise, persevere, conquer, succeed, never fear, see only the good, these characteristics she dearly loved in her husband’s personality. He could always fathom a clear design and commit to reality what others feared even to dream. “All things are possible!” summed-up as his motto.

“Your summer vegetable garden is directly east of where we now sit. The heavy woods behind it offers afternoon shade for the plants in the heat of summer until late day when the intensity of the sun relinquishes. There is room between here and the garden for a reflecting pool. Oh! nothing ostentatious. Or outrageous. A concrete floor enclosure, rectangular; maybe just a foot or so deep so we can plant water lilies and other aquatic vegetation.

“I’ll raise the foundation of the new gazebo so that the pool water reflection of the garden and woods takes full advantage. It’ll be just beautiful”

He paused and reached for his cup of hot tea on the side table. She waited, infatuated by the intensity of his focus on the matter at hand; she could capture the detail of his vivid presentation.

Swallowing a mouthful of the delectable hot liquid, he was anxious to continue, but caught himself. Not meaning to be impolite or show disrespect in his enthusiasm, he paused.

“Oh! Sorry, Nanny. I didn’t mean to get so carried away.” He looked down, sheepishly. “I guess I’m still like a kid in a candy shop when I get started on something good; all eyes and an insatiable appetite. If you have any suggestions, just chime right in.” He meant it as an apology.

Nanny laughed. “Oh! Don’t you worry, none, Bapa! I already have some ideas. Like cattails in and around part of the reflecting pool and flowers to compliment the vegetable garden and flowering shrubs and some red bud trees, blue spruce and Japanese miniature red maples and dogwood, both pink and white, to grow close together so that the colors intermingle in spring bloom. Maybe a yard swing, you know, one with a canopy and seats facing each other.”

She paused to catch her breath, smiling brightly, like a girl getting her first formal gown.

Now, it was Bapa’s turn to laugh, enjoying her girlish exuberance; they made a fine couple.

“I’m sure you haven’t run out of ideas. Just keep thinking and they’ll continue to come to you.

“But, I’ve only just begun, too. The girls and I have talked about these ideas for some time; you’ve heard them mention some of it, I’m sure.” He waited for her affirmation.

“Yes. Of course.” She seemed somewhat confused, unsure of the truth of it.

“Nanny! None of this could be that much of surprise. They talk about it all the time.”

“Well. I guess I just thought they were playing their perpetual fantasy game; the way they make up fire breathing dragons and princes and princesses and magic dust and flying horses.”

In an effort to sooth her feeling, if indeed, they had been injured, he plodded on.

“I have to admit, I have a lot of trouble keeping up with those three, myself. Much less ever getting ahead of them. But, they are so cute that I just can’t ever say: ‘No!’”

“They are precious,” she admitted. “I best start paying closer attention.” At that, she laughed.

Feeling that he had over stepped his bounds, perhaps that he had plotted with the children around Nanny, or, at the very least, that she had interpreted it that way, he thought better of going on with his narrative. As a compromise he tendered an offer and she could decide.

“Anyway. I’ve yammered on long enough for tonight; it’s getting pretty late. Next time the little girls come to visit, maybe for an overnight stay, we’ll all sit down and talk about it.”

She gave him a look of half-apology, half-expectation and squeezed his hand, affectionately.

“Oh! No! Bapa. I’m not offended in the least. But, you can bet I will be if you don’t finish.”

He laughed. “Okay, Nan. Of course, most of this I’m ad libbing as we go along; you know that. It all came together as an idea we could make happen through the fantasy playing whenever the girls would let their fairy dust fly and I happen to be nearby and hear their plots and plans. I guess I get more than a modicum of their fantasy ‘magic dust’ one me, from time to time.”

Nanny chuckled at that. “Yes! Indeed!” she half-whispered, then, laughed aloud.

“Anyway,” he steadfastly continued, choosing to ignore her light chastisement, “That east side will be our representation of Spring in the garden. We can add to and change some of the ideas when we actually do the construction. We’ll need a life-size statue of a fair young maiden to stand on a pedestal in the middle of the reflecting pool. She’ll be the innocent virgin version of a fertile matronly Mother Nature giving birth and life to the garden.”

“You will remember the tender age of our girls when you unveil this chapter?” she teased.

“Not to worry,” he mused, patting her hand, gently. “I’m always a gentleman around ladies.”

She gave him a questioning glance but thought better of pursuing the matter; he read her mind as to the impending curiosity and appreciated her letting it pass between them. He smiled.

“To the south,” he continued, “will be the summer goddess garden and we’ll find a marble statue to place there, too. Maybe a young mother type radiant with life, fashioned in fine female features, strong, refined shoulders to carry her burdens, a slim waist and long, shapely legs.”

Nanny interrupted. “Are you describing the little girls’ idea here, or is that wistful look indicative of your personal desires; you seem almost…anxious.”

Like the proverbial cat, Bapa not only always landed on his feet, he was quick of reaction, and, luckily, of wit, too. Good thing! That blessing was.

“Actually, dear Lady, I had a picture of you in mind when I described that fair beauty.”

“Umm! Hmm!” she breathed, feigning coquettishness. Then, “I return your---‘Touché!’”

Pressing forward with the telling, he decided discretion was, indeed, the better part of valor.

“The lake is there and we’ll set her in front of it on a pedestal for all to see. She’ll be the siren of the South and will represent Summer. With the pasture in the foreground and horses, cattle and sheep grazing, that portal will be the fulfillment of Spring’s promise of nature’s bounty. Maybe every other year, or so, I’ll plant winter wheat in that pasture so it’ll be winter-green, then gold right up to harvest in late June or early July. I’ll over seed it with red clover in February and let it lay fallow until the fall when I’ll sew it in rye so it will be green most of the time. For beauty, even in the winter time. The hills in the background reflect in the lake and especially in the fall, with the green carpet and autumn reds and golds finery, it’ll be absolutely gorgeous.”

“On the west we’ll landscape around a sundial; to the north, a statue of the god, Anemoi.”

Nanny could picture it all in her mind; Bapa painted a beautiful solitude. Bucolic! Serenity!

Details would refine out of the impromptu-design and, together, they would construct the fantasy-dream. Pleasant memories permeate life-complete. All such manner begins with---Love!

 

The End