There Was an Old Lady

There was an old lady with flowers galore

Though she had quite a yard full, she kept planting more.

Like unruly children, they got out of hand

‘Till  vines,  leaves and blossoms covered  her land.

Sometimes I feel like the Old Woman in the Shoe except instead of children, I have so many flowers I don’t know what to do. And I don’t live in a shoe either; that’s a major difference. My front yard flowers pretty much behave themselves. They are contained in pots or in fairly civilized beds but those backyard plants! They have minds of their own. I try to show them the merits of living disciplined, ordered lives but do they listen? No! They put out runners or shoots and look for new territory to conquer. They are aided and abetted by squirrels and birds who carry the seeds and drop them in barren places. And then of course there’s little Miss Hollyhock. What chance does a poor gardener have against such unbridled enthusiasm?

I must admit that I am my own worst enemy because when I see a thirsty plant crying out for a drink of water or a poor, wilted flower that is silently begging for help, I cannot resist. I must buy it and bring it home. And, here is the worst part: I secretly admire their untamed beauty as they grow robust and healthy. They can’t say Thank you for offering them a bed of their own but their obvious gratitude for sufficient water, dirt and sun is thanks enough. I’ve known for a long time that I am a bookaholic. Now I begin to suspect that I am a plantaholic too. Herbiholic?  Anyway, this floral fever will last until frost and then as the seeds sink into the ground for a long winter’s rest, I pretty much regain my sanity. But during those dark, cold months, I will be planning next season’s gardens. And I have the suspicion that instead of sleeping, those seeds will be planning too.