When I opened my business 8 (or was it 9?) years ago, my sweet friend made me a beautiful sign to hang at the end of the driveway. The spot is open, and wind and storms were not kind to the sign. We repaired it a few times, but it finally gave up the ghost. I had an idea to find an old clawfoot bathtub and use it as a planter to take its place. I thought to plant flowers in the spring/summer, fill it with pumpkins and corn stalks in the fall, and greens in winter.
Old tubs are not that hard to find, and I'd seen a few, but most were either too big or overpriced. Then this spring, I mentioned to a customer that I was looking for one, and a bit later, she and her husband delivered a tub to me in exchange for some grooming. I love when that happens! The tub has been sitting in the front yard for weeks, looking out of place. This week I gave it a coat of paint to freshen it up.
Today Chris kindly helped me remove the signpost. We wrestled the tub into place, affixed its legs, and propped it on some pavers to prevent it from sinking into the soil. The tub is cast iron and heavy as heck, but together we got the job done.
We took a trip to the plant place. I get a little crazy when I go to a nursery. I overbought but had lots of fun doing it. Sister Deb did a lot of research this year about creating lovely planters. She told me the key is to have a "thriller," a "filler," and a "spiller." That means something tall and eye-catching, something to take up space, and other plants to drape over the sides. I was so happy she shared that recipe and kept it in mind as I shopped.
I filled the tub with planting medium while I baked in the noon sun, swatting black flies and mosquitos as I worked. Despite the bugs and heat, it was a lot of fun. In a few weeks, the new planter should look quite spectacular. We rarely take a new customer because we are booked out for the entire year, so we don't really need a sign, but now I can tell people, "look for the claw foot bathtub." It's hard to miss.
While working, I could hear the new goats (still locked up until they feel "at home") calling. I took a break and went out to check on them. The adults were extremely friendly and came to me wanting attention. The baby freezes in terror at the sight of me. I scooped her up and sat down, tucking her legs under her, so she was snuggled on my lap. After a few minutes, she relaxed, looked around, nuzzled my face, and seemed to enjoy the attention.
I look a little crazy, shavings on my shirt, hair a mess from the heat and humidity, but the happiness shines through. And Glory? Her eyes are blue in some places and brown in others. They remind me of the glass marbles we played with as children. I'll snuggle with her every day until she decides I am not as scary as I look.
Once I was done planting the big tub, I dug a galvanized tub out of the garage and turned it into a planter to go near the pathway to the grooming studio. I used to have a little garden bed with pretty plants there, but people let their dogs pee all over them. Now they can let dogs pee on the tub, and I won't feel as grumpy as if they were killing my plants.
While I was at the plant store, I grabbed some potted herbs. I have a wonderful old enameled washtub that I thought might make a good herb garden. I am hoping it will grow well and be able to stay inside over the winter, providing fresh herbs for recipes. Meanwhile, I like the way it looks.
After hours of hauling heavy things, digging in the dirt, watering everything, and hugging goats, I grabbed a tall, cold drink and sat in the shade for a while. The wind rustled through the leaves of the trees, the cows grazed, the chickens clucked, the new plants stretched their roots, and I was filled with deep contentment. Life is good.
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