[SCadaddle]

I grew up in a home in central MS that was built in the mid 50's on a 1.25 acre lot. For about the next 50 years I helped my parents and then finally my Dad maintain the place. Monkey grass borders, azaleas all colors, camelias, you name it they planted it over the years. And took great pride in the presentation of the yard. At age 96 my Dad was still using a mattock to get rid of vines and roots.

Dad's brother and his wife lived in Mobile Alabama, in the Country Club. I remember as a kid visiting them with my parents, and at some point in the visit I would get dragged around Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile. I hated it. Boring to a kid.

Fast forward 50 years, Mom has been gone for 10 years, Dad is gone as well. The home place was basically given away as part of the small family estate. Last year I vacationed near Mobile. Went to Bellingrath Gardens. Midway through the walking tour of it all I had to sit down on a park bench and reflect.

This place was the inspiration of all the beautiful landscaping and hard work my parents had put into their own place. The place I had spent 50 years of my life helping to maintain. And it was basically given away. Given away I surmise as it's a lot of work to maintain it and most folks nowadays would rather walk around looking at their cell phone than spend time in the yard.

Different times indeed.
Id10t your Mom's place looks great. I can certainly appreciate all the hard work that has gone into it.
If anyone wants to see really amazing landscaping and are near Mobile Alabama, you should make a visit to Bellingrath Gardens during the day, and go back during Christmas time for the night tour. It is absolutely incredible.