2010 YES!!! The "I'm so happy" thread.

[Ragged Robin]

Maggi, we're really enjoying seeing the family and basking in this amazing weather so it was a lot of celebrating this past WE 

[Paddy Tobin]

The members of a local garden club visited the garden last evening, 40 - 50 people. As might be imagined this was not an occasion anticipated with any great glee being the perfectly unsociable person that I am(well, so "She who must be obeyed" always tells me). However, all went perfectly smoothly and pleasantly; lovely people, actually interested in gardening and plants which came as a surprise and they scoffed the refreshments with what struck me as a reasonable level of pleasure.

Anticipation of such events always fill me with dread. The events always turn out to be fine but I cannot learn this apparently obvious lesson. I hate the anticipation of such a visit, enjoy them on the occasion and always swear that I will never again allow any such group come into the garden. NEVER AGAIN!

Yes, I'm simply a crackpot - Mary says I am certified such.

Paddy, still trying to recover, medicating on Bacardi and Coke.

[Ragged Robin]

Paddy, you are not alone...my brother feels the same but my sister in law is a real people person in the best possible sense (Mary of the same ilk I imagine) who likes to share a beautiful garden with others who are interested for a good cause and to share a passion which comes together after a lot of hard work and dedication. This year has been particularly difficult with such a bad spell of weather and snow breaking down the branches of ancient trees, rhododendrons and topiary....coupled with hungry deer and late frosts but still they are opening after a superhuman effort on everyone's part to the Scottish Garden's Scheme this Sunday 30th May....I admire them, as I admire your enterprise too, and hope they are well supported.

http://www.gardensofscotland.org/garden.aspx?id=d174990c-6f3a-4731-9e07-9cc000a85dfc#

[Paddy Tobin]

Robin,

Mary would build a twenty foot wall around the garden, flood they moat, roll up the drawbridge and leave out the dogs. However, she has an inability to say, "No" and this was understandable as we know most of the members of this garden club - Waterford is a small place!

There is the consolation that a local charity which offers respite care for cancer sufferers will benefit by 300Euro. The garden club have the practice of taking 5Euro from each member on a garden visit to give to the hosts and we also sold some plants. So, it is good to have the opportunity to do something for someone else.

Your brother and sister-in-law have their hands full with seven acres of garden.

Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

A wonderful result for respite care and it sounds as if everyone enjoyed themselves with your hospitality.

Yes seven acres requires a lot of maintenance but my brother loves trees in particular and is very involved in that aspect of the evolution of the garden - plus mowing the grass! 

[Maggi Young]

Great to learn of the sums that can be raised for good causes by these events.

Your brother's place looks lovely, Robin.... and I'm thinking that anyone in the Pertyhshire area could perhaps vist both Cloan, by Auchterarder and the Bands' garden in Pitcairngreen on the same day......

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4494.msg120670#msg120670

[Ragged Robin]

Good idea - I think that would be a great day out, Maggi, and just wish I was there to enjoy both open gardens    Here's hoping for good weather for all visitors and those who have worked so hard to welcome them to their gardens.

[Paddy Tobin]

The chain and padlock have been put back on the gate. The barbed wire runs along the top of the gate and I am attempting to resurrect myself with alcohol. (This latter is, of course, a bad idea)

Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

Paddy, how about elderflower cordial and a scone with crabapple jelly - it would make you feel much sweeter 

[TheOnionMan]

I'm feeling happy tonight, thus posting here.  Why not everyone who is feeling relatively good about things just make a whole bunch of "ditto" gratuitous postings here in this thread, just to catch up with the "moan moan moan" thread?  It's easy, we could catch up.

[TheOnionMan]

gratuitous I'm so happy" happy posting 2

[TheOnionMan]

gratuitous I'm so happy" happy posting 3

[ranunculus]

Gratuitous 'I'm so happy' posting 4 - illustrated!
Just got back from our first visit to the Big Apple - time to reflect.

NEW YORK REFLECTION

[Ragged Robin]

Cliff, welcome back and so looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing all about your garden visits there...what a stunning photo from the Big Apple to start with!

[Paddy Tobin]

Paddy, how about elderflower cordial and a scone with crabapple jelly - it would make you feel much sweeter  

Robin, the elderflower has not bloomed yet and we will have a bit of a wait for the crabapples but they will come in their season and will be enjoyed then. By the way, crabapple jelly can be very easily converted to a nice relish for meats by the addition of chopped mint when making.

Good to have you back, Cliff, and reflecting on New York.

Mark, "Happy" is not my normal state of being. I am naturally a depressed person (Mary says "depressing"), black side of life, nothing will go well, disaster is just about to happen. BUT, I am very happy in my misery! I think there is something in the Irish psyche which is anti-happiness. I recall an Irish comedian, Dave Allen, whose style was one of social commentary, asking what an Irish person would say if they saw someone obviously happy, laughing etc. The answer: " What the f..k has that b.....d got to be happy about?" We genuinely begrudge happiness/success etc.

I must try hard to summon up some positive thoughts as I am going into hospital midweek to have my  prostate "zapped" by laser. Such fun!

Now, I have brought down the general happy tone of this thread. Now, I'm happy!

And, no, I'm not being grumpy. Haaa Haaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaa. Oh, a laugh actually feels good.

Paddy