So many times when we pass through the community on our way to and from work, or running errands, we don't see what is right in front of our eyes. 

When you begin to pay attention to the nature around you, it is amazing how uplifting it can be.

For instance, if you drive by 5154 Spring Ridge Drive E., you will find a real treasure.  The couple who lives here has spent the last four and a half years planning, designing, and working a sustainable garden. 

Garden club member Leslie Moyer and myself were given a tour of the garden right on the spot and what we saw amazed us.  Within the beauty of the flowers we found cucumber vines taller than we are, vegetables tucked in with zinnias and daisies, beautiful trees and shrubs, fruits and potted plants. 

Stones mark the pathways and prevent water from accumulating in a dry creekbed.  Instead, the water that runs down, waters the plants and sustains the environment so there is no flooding.  The astounding part is that this sustainable garden is in the backyard of a town home!  It's worth the time to stop and chat and see this wonderful garden.

It is one of the Gardens of Excellence winners for the month of July, with the other winner, 1141 Hillview Drive.   It is so uplifting to see residents in our community making their spaces beautiful and edible, while sustaining the land.  I love to watch nature and write down what I call nature happenings, even if they don't happen in the garden. 

As I looked out the window this week, I saw a mourning dove grabbing at a weed in the yard close to the window. At first I didn't understand what she was doing, but after she had pulled the weed out of the yard, she flew across the street to the neighbor's tree.  It wasn't long before she was back, pulling on that same weed and taking more, back and forth.  Not only was I grateful for being able to see her do this, but for helping me weed. I wanted to tell her that she could probably build a condo with the weeds in my front yard, but it didn't seem like she had that kind of time. Oh well.

The Lower Macungie Garden Club cares for the plants in the library.  We have named the hibiscus tree, "Hattie" and we now have an orchid. This is a new experience for us and we are learning as we go.  Come by and see the orchid and say hello to "Hattie," as she enjoys conversation. 

Thanks to all for the nice compliments you have given us for the flowers in the containers at the Municipal Building and the Community Center.  We also appreciate the compliments given for the driveway and the area around the gazebo.  The club tries hard to maintain these areas as best we can.  It's so nice to know that residents in the community appreciate our hard work and service.

Watch for us at the Lower Macungie Craft Fair this fall and please come by  our table and say hello.  We usually have packets of seeds from members' gardens and since some of our members craft, we have wonderful hand made things for sale that will go towards helping our club do more wonderful things.

For now, I will leave you with this,"Keeping a bird feeder full is a great way to be entertained for the price of chicken feed."~ Birds and Blooms.