Sharing the garden with friends

“There is no delight in owning anything unshared.” Seneca

The creek is without doubt the favorite of Chloe’s gardens. Places like this need to be shared.

Last Friday, June 18th, Chloe was privileged to be visited by a friend from way back, Peggie Armstrong, whom we had known for 23 years since our early days in Fort Myers, Florida. She is now a retiree, living close by.

An artist herself, and an excellent gardener, Peggie had called to see if she could come with some of her artist friends to show them Chloe’s house and gardens. We were flattered to be so recognized, and immediately invited them all to tea and desert and a tour of our place.

After greeting Peggie and our new friends, Chloe made a brief introduction to her gardens around the house. After the usual “oohs” and “ahs” they headed towards our creek.

It was a group of six, including two ladies from Fort Myers that by chance happened to be visiting Peggie at the time. One of them, Paula, had been an acquaintance of Chloe’s previously. She is a wonderful folk artist, and creates beautiful furniture and abstract pieces. She had driven up from Fort Myers with Dore, a good friend of hers, that we also appreciated very much meeting.

In the pictures below, Peggie, Paula and Dore are enjoying the creek area.

Here Vivian, a collage artist and a book illustrator, pauses and appreciates. She came ready to face the summer heat, well protected under her flowery hat.

The dappled light of the creek area induces conversation, and Peggie and Jane share a moment. Jane, a soft spoken lady, lives in Landrum, South Carolina, a quaint town some 15 minutes from Chloe and me. She works for a local real estate attorney, having moved from Atlanta. She is a pastel artist, who creates beautiful portraits.

From the creek the group came to see our pond.

While the other ladies enjoy the fish, Jane took a break to meet Tux, our puppy.

The heat was becoming intense however, and it was time for iced tea, desert and more good conversation indoors. Here Maddie and Paula share a book of pictures.

Maddie is now a farmer who raises Alpacas. But before, she was an event coordinator, having previously organized two festivals in Jacksonville Beach, one of which was a Blues Festival. A lively lady, who came bearing gifts of green eggs and homemade grape jelly.

The walk at the creek had opened our appetites, and soon we were all sitting at the table, sharing lively conversation and delightful deserts without any guilt.


After all, we had been to a place where fairies live, children play and grown ups go back in time. Oh creek…. what a magical place!