Cut Flowers

One of my neighbor gardeners lives across the alley from the community garden. In her front yard, facing the street on the other side of the block away from the garden, she has a wooden slate table with an large umbrella beside it set up next to the fence. On the table sit two vases with bunches of cut flowers, tied with ribbons, cut from her garden plots displayed in them. Mind you, she has several plots and lots of flowers as well as vegetables resulting from her green thumb. Some folks have two plots, others more than two. Some folks have been gardening these plots for years. I have one puny-soiled plot that looks more like a desert than her lush rain forest plots—but I don't want to get into any negative downward spiraling thinking here, so I'll focus on those flowers of hers.

These bouquets are similar in size to the large bouquets you see at the grocers, only these fabulous bunches of flowers are far more wild and beautiful than the symmetrical bouquets from Haggen's. They include peonies, roses, grassy blades, Canterbury bells, snap dragon, and lupine. I've found myself standing in front of this funky little flower stand more than once. I've also taken to having fresh flowers adorning my house, and since my garden hasn't gotten dressed yet—lazy thing—I've been purchasing them from others==such as my neighbor. My neighbor gardenist sells her flowers from $3-$5 a bunch. There's a tin for the money. It's the honor system. There is also a plastic stand of cards with garden photos attached, and yesterday, a tiny vase of nosegays of lavender.

This type of life seems quaint to me: children running about, flowers being cut by a young woman wearing a sun hat, cards being made in a breezy evening living room while cookies bake in the kitchen oven. I'm so sentimental. I could live this life, easily. But then I'd have to be the granny knitting in the corner while the rest of this unfolded around me. I'm not ready for that. I'm imagining me fit and tanned, tending a glorious garden that draws crowds of garden lovers—but then I'll need to hire gardeners to keep it, so never mind.

Well, today is the Fourth. It was a quiet night, I know this because I drank too much coffee yesterday afternoon and was up until the wee hours of the morning. Today, I will picnic and watch fireworks—spend time with friends. It'll be swell. Tomorrow—clean house and get ready for a trip to Joseph, Oregon, leaving with my friend, Brenda, early Sunday. Hi Brenda! We'll be taking some fabulous hikes, hopefully one to see Hell's Canyon, grander than Grand Canyon the guide book says. And the weather will be great. Yeah, rest and relaxation.

My neighbor gardenist will water my garden, and all will be well in Fairhaven.

Happy Fourth!