I usually wake up in one of two ways: with the sun, or with the Lab. The heat of the last few days has forced me downstairs around 2 or 3 a.m., to finish out the night on the sofa. The first floor of the house is marginally cooler. The first floor has the added bonus of MacKenzie, yellow Lab, and Best Friend to the Whole Wide World (Or so she says. In many ways, she is like Buddy the Elf.). I always receive a tail thump in the wee hours when I come down the stairs, and then at 5 a.m. (almost on the dot), I receive a too-close face of smiling Mac. When I sense her presence and open my eyes, her joy is complete: I knew it! You ARE awake!
And so the day begins – a little less structured, a lot more cheery, on these hot summer days.
MacKenzie is pleased with what the heat has brought her: a mom that is downstairs a few minutes earlier, and even better, a mom that is eager to begin the day. My new routine of working in the garden in the very-early hours, before the temperature rises too high, suits her. She can hardly believe her luck: I’m in the room already when she wakes up, I only drink one cup of coffee before I am upright for good, and….oh joy! I go OUTSIDE for an hour, and she is invited to come along!
The last few mornings have been lovely. I weeded for almost an hour, pulling, pinching, and encouraging, and still finished drenched from the effort because, remember, the thermometer is starting in the high ‘70s. MacKenzie tears up and down the walkways, scattering dry straw, chasing the scent of the sleek, villainous chipmunks. She has yet to catch one, but she is certain her activity is causing them great fear and healthy respect. (I know I would respect an 85-pound dog bearing down on me.) She finishes the lesson, and comes back to me, satisfaction all over her face. She starts to lie down, I quickly reposition her massive backend away from the plants, and she is down for good. Or, at least until I am done. I go inside, shower, and start my day with the same feeling I imagine other women get from going to the gym first thing: I am clean, I am accomplished, I am so righteous.
Amy in the Garden 
Amy, this is my first blog response (just to show what a modern Milly I am!) – I’ve enjoyed reading your reflections. I had to laugh at your experience with Mackenzie. Misha is the third dog we’ve have that woke me by sitting next to the bed, head close and sending psychic messages. It is a unique experience to wake up nose to nose with a friend from another species.
Gardeners frequently gain appreciation of the early morning, it’s such a special time. The temperature is refreshing and the birds are full of song and opinions of the day. For me, it’s also a free time, nobody is up yet, no needs to respond to, no meetings to attend, a precious time to enjoy.
So, go forward with this new project. I like the look too and the side column of “words from others”. Laraine
Thank you for the support and the encouragement. I wonder if Misha would like to meet MacKenzie some day, seeing as they both start the day in the same way?
Thanks to, for the nod to “Words from Others.” It is often those words that spark mine. Seemed only sporting to give credit.
Oh my, you were busy this morning!
I can’t wait to send you my columbine seeds. I have a large garden of columbine plants here that have gone to seed. They are very interesting….I have a pure white one, red, and the traditional purple which is the state flower of Colorado.
A very interesting blog, shoutitfromtherooftops.wordpress.com, aka “The Brooklyn Gardener” showed me how to harvest the seeds. I should be able to harvest in a couple of weeks, then will dry the seeds and once I have tested them for viability, will send you some to try next year!
I will check that site out! Interested to learn how to test seeds for viability — is it the wet paper towel test? I LOVE columbines, even more so because the deer do not. I would love to have some of your plants in my garden! The black-eyed susans, by the way are starting to bloom. I think of you.
I just love early mornings in the garden. Everything is so fresh-the smells of the herbs are intense , and it’s sooo quiet. Some of the neighbors think it odd that I’m out there at the crack of dawn. Little do they know, they’re missing the best part of the day!
The intensity of the herbs — yes, I agree, such a wonderful reward for the early riser! I have culinary herbs in my vegetable garden, some medicinal ones in my flower garden, and some just for show. The only constant is that I never have enough! In fact, herbs are what got me started gardening in the first place. I am going to make and freeze my first batches of pesto this weekend….after I finish putting up some dill pickles, and planting more lettuce. Interested to learn what herbs you have!
Hi Amy
I have your “basic” herbs of course, but the one that I love the best–and that perfumes the garden so well on a cool damp morning is Blue Spice Basil. I have NO clue what to use this for-it is a heady, spicy vanilla scent that is absolutely wonderful. Tea, perhaps? I don’t know—I grow it mainly for the smell which as I can’t say enough is WONDERFUL!! I even keep a pot right next to the back door-I love to rub it and release the smell. You must try it. If you are unable to locate seed, I can give you some. I stocked up!!
“Blue Spice Basil,” you say?! How very intriguing! I have never heard of that variety. I will immediately check with my trusted sources: Johnny’s Selected Seeds, in Maine, and Seed Saver’s Exchange, in Iowa. If I strike out, I will indeed ask for a few. Thank you for the kind offer!
I have Lavender (Munstead) by my front door — amazingly, they are surviving and thriving. The first time I’ve ever had success with lavender that lasted more than one season. I believe I have a micro-climate there — it’s protected from the wind by a privet hedge and the sun warms the white boards of the porch behind the plants. I, too, love the brush the plants as I pass by!