SEIZE THE DAFFODILS, SEIZE THE DAY


 March 19, 2016
Picture of field of daffodils from Gibbs Gardens site
Today was not the perfect day to venture to Gibbs Gardens, with a chance of rain looming, hours to drive, and a car in need of maintenance. But, 2 million daffodils were calling my name -- I needed to give it a college-girl try. Gibbs in bloom is a “must see.” The daffodils might not stay in bloom much longer.
Spirea
The trip to Nissan to service my car was meant to be a 15-20 minute wait, according to the husband who headed out early this morning. “Okay, that should work.” Or not. The service under our maintenance agreement also included rotating tires and would take an hour to 1 ½ hour. “What?” “I didn’t plan on this.” Had I known or, even better been kindly informed by the rep when I scheduled yesterday, I would have planned differently. But “okay,” “go ahead,” “it has to be done.” Melissa’s words were music to my ears -- “We offer a shuttle that can take you home and pick you up when your car is ready.” “ Yes, that should work!” Maybe there will be time for daffodils.
Redbud
IF Shelby had entered the correct address when picking me up on the return trip to the dealership, the timeline could have worked. Woodlake and Woodland are close, but ‘no cigar.’ While waiting on my ride, I browsed my garden and enjoyed the neighbors’ magnolia and forsythia. To my delight, I also discovered the first rose of the season on my Knock Out Rose bush at the end of the drive. Samsung in hand, I snapped a few pictures and was ready to roll when my ride pulled up.
Knock Out Rose
Danelion
Shelby was in no hurry and even stopped at yellow lights. Apparently, time is her friend. Once I settled in, we chatted about many things, not without noticing the gorgeous Spring blooms along the way. A question was raised asking what the “fluffy things” are that as a child Shelby remembered blowing into the wind. “Dandelions gone to seed.” Our chatter drifted to the prolific dandelions and white clover in the median, which gardeners have been conditioned to shun. Shelby recalled her aunt in South Carolina trying to purge her yard of dandelions. Her aunt tried to cultivate in Shelby an interest in gardening, but she would have none of it. Shelby was an indoor kind of girl who would rather share afternoon tea. This they did on a regular basis.
When plans turn in a different direction, time runs out, daffodils fade, dandelions grow -- and the best cup of tea is served.
[Carolyn Fjeran, LowTide explorer/reflective writer; horticulturist & gardener; former writer for Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners and The Newnan Times Herald]

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