Please join us in the climb up the steep steps of the path to enlightenment.
(Iris reticulata ‘Harmony’, Viola ‘Antique Shades’)
It is a serious task.
A special place at the topmost point of the Fairegarden has been set aside for meditation and the seeking of understanding. Click to read about the creation of this place here.
Traditionally, the way to zen is a solitary one.
There can be a teacher and a student, however.
Or a partner.
Another set of eyes and ideas offers help with the design. One symbol of Japanese gardens that has been sorely missing from the Fairegarden moment of Zen has been a bridge. The insight of a visitor showed us the way, constructing a bridge across the gravel sea from nearby flat stones.
Full body zenning is the very best kind when your body is elastic.
The mantra…K.
Getting perspective and …
Micro-managing.
There is also yoga. (Photo courtesy of good friend of offspring Semi, Cheetah.)
Cheerio,
Frances
Fairegarden 
Hi Frances, how great to have a little gardener to help you out with the Zen garden. And that bridge he made looks so nice along with the other stones.
And I loved to see spriderman meditate up there “lol”
Dubbel kram gittan
A spot of yoga will keep you bounding up and down the hill in your garden. Good to practice it in a group.
Yoga in your garden Frances must be heavenly! I love your irises they look so great when you planted them so close to each other. Gorgeouse color!
Happy Easter! / Tyra
Frances,
The Iris and Viola are just beautiful, what wonderful color! Wonderful to see that you have others who are already enjoying your beautiful Zen garden, offering a helping hand and offering tips on meditation. The bridge is a fabulous addition. Your garden celebrates the arrival of spring just beautifully. 🙂
I never realized the path to zen was marked by a trail of Cheerios.
Looks like there was a lot of meditating and searching for understanding here..lol Adore the child’s perspective…beautiful Iris photo..the best was the instruction on yoga!!
I knew I recognized that cheerio in the succulent. What fun having a Zen partner. I can tell a good time was had by all.
It is clear that insight is to be found in the garden, especially when we are aware of ALL the teachers to be found there even if they are young. what a joyful post.
I had no idea that spiderman was into zen and yoga. It explains much! The irises are awesome!
What wonderful family time in the garden! I love the bridge. You had expert help from your Zen partner.
Love the Zen Master’s robes of denim. The cheerio amid the succulents was a puzzle until I spied it’s source. Enlightenment can take many forms.Those Iris and violas are beautiful. Spring has found it’s way to Fairegarden.
I loved the Cheerios, especially the stray one in the succulent, visible during your climb. 😉 Your spring blooms are gorgeous!
You go (Yoga) girl!! And boy! Three cuties if I ever did see any!
Seeing things through the eyes of a child certainly gives us a different perspective. I remember studying up a little on Japanese gardens last summer after seeing the magnificent one in Portland, Oregon. Now I know what was missing–Cheerios and Spiderman:) Looks like a great time, Frances, and Grandson is such a cutie. This is certainly a more fun setting for yoga, too, than what I do in front of my TV on the Wii:)
Reminds me of myself playing with stone. – including the micro-managing 🙂
I thought, is that a Cheerio in the succulent? And it was. How this post reminded me of my sons at this age when they were so much fun. This post was fun too.
A beautiful combination Frances and oh what an adventure was that taking place in your Zen garden 🙂
Ah, so…you have quite the budding “grasshopper” there.
Zen and the art of garden maintenance.
It was only reading Daves comment that I knew it was spiderman. I honestly thought for a moment it was Elvis.
I laughed out loud seeing the Cheerio in with the Angelina. Too funny. I like what Rob said– Zen and the Art of Garden Maintenance…screwy book Motorcycle Maintenance.
Oh my…I think you lost me with that first shot of all those beautiful Iris. They look amazing!
Love all the photos, especially the last one, Frances. I think your description of kids as elastic is so fitting. Your red hair is gone!!
Oh my gosh! Children really are flexible! That last picture really drives home what age can do on flexibility! I need to get doing my yoga again 🙂
What a cute post. I thought I saw a Cheerio in that second picture!
I love how rocks and gravel can be a wonderful backdrop for a child’s imagination.
Gorgeous Iris. Must obtain some for this garden.
You have the best helper going. So cute. 3 doing yoga, that’s great.
Hello Frances, I am happy to announce, that I am coming to Malvern and I am even more happy to meet you there! Could you e-mail me with information where do you stay in Malvern, as I didn’t make any accomodation booking yet. It would be nice to stay somewhere close, right?
Greetings from Poland
I was thinking…is that a cheerio? Looks like he has a great place to play. I love your irises/pansies planted together. I enjoyed reading your creative post. 🙂
So cute! And I do like the bridge in the gravel. And the cheerio in the sedum as well.
A perfect Zen bridge! And a perfect place for yoga!
What a delightful trip; and that last picture made the journey worth it!
I thought that was a Cheerio in the second picture! How sweet it is, those little ones so busy in that big world you have created for them… Awesome grandma you are 🙂
Wowza at the iris reticulata!! I like the spiderman aspect of zen gardening your dear one used. Happy Spring!~~Dee
Frances, this posting really touched my heart and made me smile….thanks!
Plant Lady
Very cute…right down to the cheerio;-O
Fun post! Your iris are gorgeous. I just love them.
It looks like a fun day in the garden. What a cute last photo.
Call me weird but what I was most intrigued with is the second photo with the Cheerio surrounding a Sedum [Angelina?] stem. Well and those yummy Iris with the pencil-straight stems guarding their blossoms like miniature sentinels.
But of course the little visitor is precious.
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