Stay-cations are not new. They became
begrudgingly popular in the 90's when we all had sticker shock from
gas prices hovering around $2/gallon. So, we were encouraged to stay
at home and take “one tank trips” on weekends in lieu of the
classic summer vacation. That was fine for some folks, but for those
of us with wanderlust tendencies, that was never quite enough.
However, in 2002, as things began to change in my world, I came to
the realization that I may never get a real vacation again. Sure,
I've had working trips, and a journey or two that took me to family
funerals. But, no, those aren't vacations. And, I longed for one.
It took me a while to make up my mind,
but that July, I decided to plant a small (3x4') bed of perennials in
our 9th Hole-looking backyard. I found an old outdoor
chaise lounge and a table with an umbrella from an antique shop, and
created my own getaway. I reinvented “stay-cation” to suit me …
Thus, it became a vacation taken at home without the cost of gas or
expensive lodging. True, there was no beach, no swim-up bar, no
sounds of the surf at night, no sexy waiters, no island music or
exotic foods … all deal breakers for me. But, I'm a damn good cook
– especially when it comes to island fare; I have my own music –
can't swim to the bar if there was one – And, I bought some of
those mood enhancing seashore audio tapes (a poor facsimile; but
better than nothing). And, well, no, I never replicated the sexy
waiters either, but I'd sit in my comfortable Adirondack chair with
my iced tea, close my eyes, and imagine.
Over the years, things began to
develop. I spent an entire winter growing (winter sow method) dozens
of plants from seed, including Rugosa rose bushes, perennial
Maximilian sunflowers, Bee Balm, Daylilies, Oriental Lilies, Asiatic
and Orienpet Lilies, lots of Rudbeckia … even a yellow trumpet vine
(yes, I knew better; but after 8 years, it is finally blooming, and
is magnificent). What began as a humble little 3x4 foot perennial
bed, has evolved into a quarter acre of green chaos.
There is even an accidental peach tree
growing right outside the back door. Initially, I purchased a small
ornamental patio peach tree (traditionally grown in containers, and
moved inside during the winter). In true Stacey form, I planted it in
the ground, figuring it would only grow the average four feet, and I
would keep it pruned. It was a pretty little tree that survived two
Indiana winters, and then gave up the ghost. So, in the following
spring, I took a saw to it and cut it down … I thought … What I
had not noticed was the little sucker I left sticking up out of the
ground. That sucker is now 12 to 15 feet tall, and my not-so-patio
peach tree bears fruit – the sweetest, tiniest little peaches ever.
The sucker was from the original root stock.
So, for several years, I tended to my
little piece of Eden, and that's how I have enjoyed my summers. Every
year, something new was added … four Rose of Sharon trees (gifted
to me by my mother); Viburnum, Hydrangea, Hostas, an American Plum;
Bradford Pear; and a couple of Mulberry Trees are allowed to stay
because they give good shade, and fortunately, no berries. I've added
archways, and a couple of paths …
But two years ago I became ill with
chronic anemia, which had me in a terrible weakened state. I had no
idea anemia could be so debilitating, even though it was the initial
cause of my grandfather and aunt's deaths. It blindsided me, and so I
struggle with that, along with my asthma, on a daily basis. Some days
I feel great, other days, I can't leave my bed. Needless to say, my
garden suffered for my lack of energy and ability to care for it.
What was once my sweet stay-cation getaway, became a horrifying
man-eating jungle of sorts.
Because I do not have (nor can I
afford) help with it, a lot of it was left to fend for itself. To
make matters worse, the Indiana Monsoons of 2015 have not helped at
all. I dreaded even looking outside. But one day this week, something
told me to look out my back door. In the pouring rain, I noticed my
favorite Tree Lily had been broken off at the ground from a horrible
storm we had last week. I went out to see the damage, and was shocked
at what else I saw … My fickle Sumatra Lily was blooming, and I
could smell her strong perfume through the rain. I had brought the
bulb home from the Patio Show in Indy years ago. All of my Daylilies,
their bed hidden by Rudbeckia and some Wild Roses, were shining like
yellow beams of sunlight in the rain. The Rose of Sharon trees were
starting to bloom, and a rich and flamboyant “After 8” Oriental
Lily was giving a show to beat the band. The biggest surprise was the
lavender Bee Balm (Monarda), which was spreading and had grown to at
least eight feet tall! I've never seen those heights before. So there
were some surprises.
With this wet
weather, however, much of my summer life has been put on hold. This
stay-cation is different than years past. My dog has been very
patient with me; we don't walk as much as we used to because of the
rain and humidity, and I spend my days painting, eating fruit or
liver and onions. I do practice my dance when I can, or troll the
catch and release ponds (a/k/a online dating sites) – not exactly
the type of pond I had in mind. Moreover, my little neighbor, Willie
the Siamese Cat, makes regular stay-cations to my habitat to hunt on
safari. I've gotten used to him, and he's a good mouser, and moler
and chipmunker. He now leaves my rabbits (and me) alone.
