OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
By PATTI VINSON
Wayne’s world T h e m a n w h o b ro u g h t t h e fa r m to h i s A b ra m s ya rd
J
ust down the street from Gary Isett’s place sits another spectacular yard, though there’s nary a Big Boy nor Peggy the Pegasus in sight. If you travel down Abrams between Mockingbird and Lovers, you’ve seen it: the one with a multitude of arbors, colorful bird houses, yard art and a pretty amazing array of plants and flowers. This, neighbors, is Wayne Grisham’s world. Though Wayne brushes off any praise for his yard when it’s not in bloom, the fact remains that it’s eye-catching year round. While his backyard is a lush, peaceful wonderland of ponds, gardens and walkways, the side yard next to Abrams is most visible to passersby. It’s obvious Wayne, a retired pharmacist, takes great joy and pride in his yard work, all of which he does himself with no help, with the exception of the support provided by Honey, his terrier mix, and Patches, his elderly Chihuahua mix. Both tend to stay close by as Wayne works outside, Honey barking at the occasional walker and Patches begging to be picked up. About 30 years ago, Wayne purchased this unusually large corner lot, not so much for the house but for the spacious yard where he could pursue his passion for gardening. It was kindled during his years growing up on the family farm in De Leon, a small town about 130 miles southwest of Dallas. As a youth on the farm, his chores included helping with cattle, pigs,
44 lakewood.advocatemag.com MARCH 2022
The swing is the focal point of this part of Wayne Grisham’s yard. Photography by Jessica Turner.
commercial eg g-laying hens and peanut production. He also picked peaches every summer at a large fruit orchard and had a job budding fruit trees at neighboring Womack’s Nursery, still in operation today and always a must-stop when visiting home. But somewhere along the way as a young man, Wayne decided to spread his wings. “Working on farms was enjoyable but made me realize that I didn’t care to make it a career choice unless they could figure out how to air-condition the outside,” he laughs. “However, it did give me a good work ethic and a passion for gardening and yard work. So I essentially brought the farm to my yard in Dallas.” In retirement, Wayne finally has the time to garden as much as his heart desires — and that would be daily, weather permitting. “I tell people I’m fortunate to have a full-time
gardener,” he says with a mischievous twinkle. “Unfortunately, it’s me.” On the contrary, it’s apparently fortunate, for he appears to be in his element. Wayne is a kind soul whose crystal-blue eyes light up as he gives a visitor a grand tour of the yard. The front features a large oval flower bed and several trees, including what remains of two palm trees, both of which perished in last year’s winter storm. Wayne has made the best of it and installed a whimsical, wide-mouthed frog on the trunk of one and several birdhouses atop the other. Most eye-catching, though, is the iron fence-enclosed “garden room” created to the side of the home. Step right this way through the screen door, which is framed by an arbor topped with birdhouses of red, orange, blue and green. On either
