An example of how process works in my life. In 1999, when we bought the Tucson house, the patio off the dining room had a sandy area, bricked area, and covered concrete patio. We painted the concrete a brick red, added a fence to keep in cats, lawn furniture, and a barbecue but pretty much left the patio area alone. It is separated from the pool area by a gate.
When we arrived this year, the sandy area was immediately adopted by the four cats to roll in and, well, you can imagine what else. We would sit on the patio and watch the birds, enjoying the fact that the cats couldn't kill them, while the cats could be with us. Win/win for us-- if not for the cats.Then I got the idea-- what if we used some of the sandy area and created an herb garden, which would be nicely off the kitchen for cooking. If we end up renting the house again, others might enjoy them. We began buying the herbs we'd most often use.
They looked quite nice with the tiles between them. Then I thought, in the storage room, I had some of my sculptures, too big for the house. We brought them out, moved them around the herbs and now had a herb and sculpture garden. It was done... or so I thought.
Due to an ad at Facebook, I learned of a store in Tucson that specialized in fountains, Zona Fountains. I loved the designs in their photos. Not at all sure we could afford any, we headed there at least to enjoy the beauty. Then, there it was-- the perfect fountain to work with the sculptures, herbs, and in our price range. Farm Boss installed it. We enjoy watching and hearing the water-- and, of course, also the birds, who are outside the fence. I can sit out there for two hours and think only a few minutes have gone by.
We took what had been kind of wasted space and created a second reason to enjoy the patio. This all happened with no plan beyond one step at a time-- and no idea there'd be another step. I do think it's done now...
6 comments:
Water in the desert. You will certainly get more birds and perhaps deaths as the cats figure out how to sneak up on them.
Water is a big deal in the desert. The swimming pool came with the home and we have often regretted it did considering the upkeep but filling it in doesn't seem smart if we someday sell it. I have imagined a wonderful garden in its space. I have a mini version of that with the new sand/sculpture/herb/fountain garden. The place the birds have been attracted is the top and it'd not make it easy for a cat to get them there. These birds are very savvy given bobcats, coyotes and hawks all want them too. The biggest problem with the herb garden and the cats has been lizards. We added mesh to the bottom of the fence but lizards can climb and jump and they want in. Why I don't know but we wondered if they are drawn to the herbs. There is another small pool that is near the bird feeders and it would seem enough for them in terms of water. Some drown in the big pool every year too though...
Looks like a lovely space. So nice when things come together like that.
The herbs may have a hard time now that the hot weather ha begun. We'll find out which ones can take it.
I like your artistic process in how your herb/sculpture/water garden came into being.
When we stop to think of process, it's always amazing to me :)
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