When we first moved onto the farm, we counted seven flower beds. My landlady took me around and showed me where each flower was planted, what their names were, and where she got them. Within two or three years the only flowers that survived my tender ministrations were the tulips, johnny jump ups, and columbines. When I accidently killed all the azaleas, I felt really bad, and went out and bought all new ones. I worked really hard at trying to keep them alive, when they all died, I decided I was finished with flowers. I ripped out everything and put in stones.
Several years ago Amanda wanted to start a flowerbed. I told her it had to be somewhere the flowers couldn't see me. She already knew firsthand about my reputation. She made her flowerbed at the end of the driveway, around the mailbox. Her flowers love her! When I drive past them I just have to stop and look at them but I have tinted windows so I don't think they know who I am.
Amanda takes after her maternal grandfather, great grandmother and her paternal grandmother. Dad loved to dig in the dirt, I never knew he liked flowers until my grandmother moved in with my parents. Grandma wanted flowerbeds so she and Dad would work together making up the beds. Most of the pictures I have of grandma are ones where she is surrounded by her flowers.
Now my mother in law lives across the yard from me. She also has flower beds all around her mobile home. I enjoy looking at her flowers. I do feel sorry for her though. She lives in the middle of a colorful array of beauty but when she looks over at my house all she sees is stones!
I love flowers, I really do. My favorite are the ones that get delivered to my door and sit on my table. They don't mind a bit when I stop and stare at them or when little people try to smell them!!
