The San Saba Garden Club Yard of the Month for May 2012 is the residence of Mrs. Clione Rochat, 303 W. Dry Street. The home, which is sometimes called the B.R. Russell House, was built in the late 1800s and was built as a wedding present for Miss Armour Fentress who married Judge John I. Guion. Their son, a famous Texas musician wrote “Home on the Range”. The Russells bought the house from Judge Guion in the 1890s. At that time there were many oak trees around the house and, as was the custom in those days, it was the only house on the block. There was also a barn, a well and a windmill on the block with the house. The house remained in the Russell family for most of the 1900s. Mrs. Rochat and her husband, who moved into the house 18 years ago, began a transformation of the surrounding grounds and aging house. Today, plantings of antique roses and snapdragons adorn the yard. These are Clione’s favorites! Also getting a nod from Mrs. Rochat are evergreens and perennials that reappear the next season like the daylilies that are blooming profusely now. She says she really enjoys working in the yard and, even though what grows and thrives one year may not the next, you can always find some winners in your garden! Clione reminds us that a yard is always a work in progress, making each day a new beginning and hopefully, some new blooms here and there! Be sure and drive through this quiet neighborhood of San Saba to see the featured yard of the month!