Day: July 8, 2025

Dia is mhuire díobh go léir a cáirde and welcome to my Report.

The first week of the month of July is over and our countryside continues to react to the beautiful weather. A sprinkle of light rain refreshes the earth most nights giving way to a fresh start next morning. New blossoms are making their appearance all the time. The  new Montbretia which got a step up from it’s orangey hue of it’s elderly cousins is now claiming pride of place in its distinctive bright red and never fails to capture the attention of all who pass them. The lilies are also standing to attention and their angelic creamy/white blossoms are a joy to behold. There are lots of different lilies ,but the one which does it for me is the common white lily cone shaped and with it’s yellow centre on show . Not only do I love them for their present day beauty, but also for the memories that they conjure up in my mind of my school days. The nuns always had them.   Back then, they were the only ones who had them, like the laburnum and weeping willows which we take for granted in our gardens today.  There would be at least one pot of lilies on the window in every classroom. And it was the duty of the nun teaching there to take care of it. Windows were very high and she needed a rope to open and close to top section to refresh the air for the flower as well as herself and her pupils. I’ll never forget the care that was taken the watering the wiping of the leaves and the warnings of woe betide anyone who touched them. Sometimes they would appear on the alter in a vase of water for Mass. Then as time moved on the lily became more popular and used widely. I tried growing some in my own garden some years ago but failed. They came to nothing until I gave them to my neighbour over the wall where they flourished and where I can admire them with pleasure when I come and go.

[read more …] “Eily’s Report – 8th July”