Just A Lily Brightening the Way.

   I have been lax on taking care of the plants this whole summer.  It seems as if one thing or another has gotten in the way and anything not on that "priority" list fell to the wayside.  I feel bad about it but, at the same time, feel there was no need in pushing myself beyond feasible limits.  I am getting old.  Today, however, as I meandered back behind the old greenhouse to the grape arbor, I was greeted in the most pleasant way.  The lycoris lilies were in full bloom...at least as much of "full" bloom as was possible in view of the recent chomping by the Eastern Lubber Grasshoppers.  Those things are relentless!  The lilies proved stronger and were simply gorgeous.  The golden color is a perfect touch for the hint of fall that we are enjoying. 

  These particular lilies were from a few bulbs that I received some 30 years ago from a dear friend.  Ms. Twin (yes, there were two and they were both "Ms. Twin") had dug up some of her bulbs just to share with me.  This sweet elderly lady knew I loved flowers of any kind and knew that she had the perfect gift...one from the heart.  I was elated and immediately planted the bulbs.  They have bloomed every year since and always remind me of the dear friend.  Sadly, she passed only two years after gifting the bulbs to me.  

  The lilies are in the same family as the Red Nerine lilies that are so abundant across the Deep South.  They have a dozen or so names including Lycoris Lily, Nerine Lily, Spider Lily, Jersey Lily, Guernsey Lily and even Naked Lady Lily (due to the lack of leaves...not clothes.)   The spotting of the lilies gave me a much needed lift this morning and I was able to continue the day with a bit more ambition that before.  I figure if the lilies could fight against the drought and grasshoppers then I should be able to fight against the tiredness that wracks the body.  Never doubt that somewhere hidden among the trials is an answer that can make everything right again.

First Smile of the Day

   Early this morning before I started work on that kitchen again, I wandered about in the gardens.  The raccoons wreaked havoc on the cabbages digging all but eight of the thirty-eight I planted last week.  Their antics did not stop there as every potted herb on the new herb shelf arbor was dumped upside down and several pots wound up in Pebble Creek.  My few days off from yardwork shows.  It appears that I cannot catch a break.  If I work inside redoing the house, the outside becomes a mess and vice-versa.  It is an endless, thankless work I do.

  My meandering did bring one smile and one ponderance.  The nereid lilies and guernsey lilies are blooming...somewhat.  The lubber grasshoppers love these things so I have had to fight to get any blooms.  Two, however, were blooming side by side in the veggie garden, of all places.  It is all good...they can stay.  One red.  One yellow.  The thought of these two "friends" bobbing their showy hats in the slight, morning breeze brought the smile.  The ponderance came from the question "Why can't people be equally as friendly?"  Be kind, folks, as you never know what the other person is enduring.  Just be kind.