There’s lots of news and updates, and I (this is Judy) have a small favor to ask (so read to the end).
To begin with, we are excited to announce the arrival of our first grandchild! When Jason complained that I wouldn’t let him dig up ALL of the grass in the backyard, this is who I was saving it for. She is tiny now, but it won’t be long before she will need space for running around and will be falling in love with the flowers and butterflies.
Her name is Addie, and she is seven weeks old. She is adopted from a birth mother in Florida. New parents Daniel and Beckee spent three weeks in Tampa while Addie did a bit of growing in the NICU. We are so glad they are all home and doing well now!
Daniel and Beckee are over the moon, even if Addie hasn’t yet learned to keep reasonable hours. They plan to come over every Wednesday, so that we can watch Addie while they work (and sneak in a nap if time allows), which sounds like a lovely plan to us.
The garden is flourishing with help from Vivant Gardening Services, whose owner and gardeners can throw around the Latin names of obscure native plants right along with Jason, in a way that inspires confidence.
Last week, Jason supervised the reorganization of the driveway bed — the yellow coneflowers had crowded to the front, along with the ever-expanding Betty Corning clematis, and they all needed to be put a little further back, where they can still get the attention they want, without blocking everyone else, including visitors trying to use the sidewalk. A new batch of tulips will be planted later this month.
Meanwhile, Jason has had so much chemo that we have lost count, though I think we are over two dozen sessions. He is tired but holding on, and enjoying feeding, cuddling, and singing to Addie, and trying to keep the plants and the cats from misbehaving.
Now here’s the favor I would like to ask:
Jason’s birthday is this month, and if you have enjoyed reading his blog, and if you have been inspired for your own garden, if would be lovely if you could drop Jason a birthday card and let him know. Is there something you planted because you saw it here? Have you enjoyed reading the blog with your morning coffee?
I have set up a mailbox to receive cards:
Jason Kay, 848 Dodge Ave, Box 348, Evanston, IL 60202
Of course, you could also email at jasonbertkay at gmail dot com, and copy me in judyhertz at gmail dot com, but cards would be extra lovely. Comments here would be great, too, of course.
gardeninacity 
Thank you for updating us, Judy. It is good to see everyone! Addie is beautiful, and I will certainly send Jason a card! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Beautiful Addie–so much joy for all of you and congratulations! It’s nice to see Gardeninacity come through on my email–thank you for the update. Wishing you all good things.
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful little girl!!! She’s precious!!! Congratulations to you all!!! Addie is certainly a very blessed little one!!! Thank you for the updates! I can’t wait to send birthday wishes to Jason!!
Congratulations on becoming grandparents! And all the best to the little one and her family. 😃 So good to hear from you Judy and to see and hear news of Jason. Jason, you and your garden are so often in my thoughts – especially when the Tithonia blooms! Birthday card will be on the way soon. 🤗
There can’t be too many photos of cute babies, gardens or animals.
Sending a card as soon as I manage, let’s hope it will arrive more or less in time.
Congratulations and all the best to you all!
I was just thinking about how last year at this time you and Jason came for a visit. What a delight it was to meet you! Speaking of delights… that baby is utterly adorable. Such a joyous addition to your family. And a card will soon be coming Jason’s way.
I can’t tell you how good it was to hear from you and Jason. I’ve thought about him many times since the last post in March. That’s wonderful news about Addie joining your family. I know you are over the moon. Though I am an infrequent commenter, I have loved reading Jason’s blog for many years. Best wishes to all of you and a card will be in the mail to Jason tomorrow.
Congratulations on your entrance into grandparenthood. Addie looks so sweet and I can just feel the joy through the screen of my laptop. I’ve enjoyed your blog now for several years, too. I’ll be sending a card in the next couple of days. Alana ramblinwitham
Sweet Addie, what a joy she must be! The update is appreciated, Jason has been in my thoughts this summer. Sending warm regards to all. 💕
What a beautiful new sweetie in your family. Thanks for the updates.
Wonderful to see a post from you Judy with photos of your growing family, congrats! Happy early birthday to Jason.
What a joyful little package has come into your life. I am glad you had the foresight to save some play space. I wish all the best for all of you. You are so right about your garden being an inspiration. Again best wishes.
As well , as always really enjoying this blog , I do love letter writing, and I will write
X
Congrats to all of you! I sent an ecard to Jason’s email. Should see it soon!
A baby, flowers, and Jason’s smiling pride: what a delight to find your update, and even more of a delight to have a chance to add to Jason’s birthday celebration. A card will be in the mail tomorrow ~ I’m so pleased to send my good wishes to you both, and the card to Jason. The garden looks lovely, as always; I’m glad you’ve had good help with that!
Congratulations to all, and happy birthday to Jason! What a sweet addition to the family. 🙂 The garden looks great!
Thanks for the update Judy! Little Addie is adorable and I’m sure brings all of you a lot of joy. Love the garden photos–so much beauty packed into your little corner of the world.
A beautiful family as well as a beautiful garden. Joy to you all!
I’m very late responding as we have been visiting our grandchildren, so Paul and I understand how wonderful it is to have a grandchild. Congratulations to you both!
I have sent off my card for Jason’s birthday, and I hope it gets there in October….you never know, it may be a little late coming from Australia.
Jason, your informative, humorous and enjoyable blog is missed. Best wishes to you both.
Congratulations on your new Addie-tional member to the family (sorry, I just couldn’t help the pun)! I hope you’re training her well to take over the garden work – you can never start too young. I hope you have/had a great birthday, Jason! I’ll be making a cake in your name.
Addie is a precious little girl with a stunning sense of style by way of that perfect bow on her little head .. too adorable indeed ! and I have to mention that gorgeous cat because I am a cat person ! LOL
This is a wonderful blog that shares such great information that any gardener would find helpful .. so a big thank you for that Jason & Judy !
Many, many, happy returns to Jason on his birthday .. this is such a happy time for you all .. enjoy it for all the great memories !
Sorry to have missed this post. I have been AWOL from the blogging world this year as I am moving house and I didn’t have the heart to keep blogging. I just checked in to see how Jason is. What a gorgeous grandchild, she must be bringing you so much joy. Lovely that you are keeping up with the garden. I wish you both health and happiness for 2023, Judy and Jason, for you and your family.
Judy, I am also checking in to see how Jason and the new grandchild are doing. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2023.
Congrats to your entire family on the addition of beautiful baby Addie! That’s wonderful news. Happy belated birthday wishes to Jason too!
I haven’t kept up to date on the blogs I follow, so I’m just seeing this. Congratulations on the new addition–I’m sure she adds a lot of liveliness to your days! You asked how this blog may have influenced my own gardening, and the one big thing is that I now plant Tithonia every year. It is such a big draw for the butterflies! I always particularly enjoyed the bird-watching posts as well! Best wishes to Jason.
I stopped by tonight to check in on you and am delighted by your news of Addie. She must be the family’s delight. Happy to see your smiling faces and sending belated but heartfelt birthday wishes. Soon it will be tulip time for you. In NC they’re at their peak already.