Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – May 30, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – May 30, 2004

Woman Of Pergola

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – May 30, 2004 – It is done. I am Woman Of Pergola. The yard has been cleaned, swept and washed down. The trees, shrubs and plants have all been showered and the patio furniture is back in place. The French wrought iron brackets are tucked up into the corners and the smaller iron ones are on each of the four pillars.

I made my last trip to the garden centre this afternoon for plants, and they are now hanging from black iron hooks on the cross beams of the pergola. This year I bought pink vining geraniums and some pots of mixed yellow, white and blue flowers. I’ve added some annuals for colour and the grape ivy and euonymus have been trimmed back to controllable levels. Left to their own devices they would smother the garden in a wall of green.

The two black iron candle lanterns have found homes hanging from hooks in the pergola rafters, and they add a final bit of panache to this wonderful outdoor space.

I’ve imagined the pergola and how I wanted it to look for years. My friend Jackie’s sketch provided a working drawing and John’s talents as a carpenter gave it form. During the past four days of construction I felt it would live up to my imagined vision. Upon completion, the structure has surpassed my expectations. I sat out there this evening to enjoy a cup of coffee and survey John’s work. He did me a special favour by working this week-end, something he doesn’t often do, to complete my summer room.

Now I’ll be able to enjoy it for the entire season and I’m grateful to John for his generous spirit. So there I have it. The happy translation of a vision into reality. I’ve blown my yearly renovation budget on one project, but done so without a moment of doubt. As an investment in my home, it’s rock solid – and as a special place for me to sit alone, or with friends, to enjoy my little corner of the world – it’s everything I have wanted.

Woman Of Pergola – I feel as if I should arrive sitting astride a camel named Akbar, wearing many layers of gauzy white clothes and gently waving a feather fan. Lovely additions to my entourage would be a turban- topped snake charmer with flute, or other appropriate musical instrument and a number of robust, scantily clad young men at my beck and call, tempting me with morsels of spicy food and sips of wine.

Woops – wake up – okay – I’m back – there is no camel and the snake charmer appears to have vanished, the nubile young men must have gone to lunch with luscious young ladies – but there is a pergola and it’s in my back garden!