I will get back to posting Montreal stories and pictures soon, but I feel I can not let this one go unblogged. If anyone has been reading unmitigated bliss for any length of time, you know that sunflowers are my true garden bliss.
I took a spontaneous trip to see my grandparents on Monday, and came back to this. This Jade Sunflower holds the exalted place of honor of first sunflower bloom of the season, and I take pleasure in knowing it is only the first of many to share space with me this summer.
Have I ever shared how my love of growing sunflowers began? It is a story that reflects my stubborn personality very well.
When my now 12 year old was 5, I thought it would be fun to grow some mammoth variety sunflowers. We did, and it was great fun. They grew to be over 8 feet tall.
My neighbors however didn't enjoy it so much and they actually asked me if I would please not grow such "weeds" the next year. I smiled at them nicely and walked away, determined to grow even more the following summer.
Sunflowers are to me such beautiful treasures to behold. They bring us birds and bees, and share with us their delicious seed bounty. The first year I grew them in this town, I grew only 2. This year I have planted over 60 sunflower seeds, of about 5 different varieties, which have produced over 20 seedlings, many of which will share with us at least 5-10 blooms or more.
I think back with great pleasure to those curmudgeonly old neighbors who called them weeds and inspired a new and stubborn passion within me! Thank you old neighbors!
1 comment:
Thanks for sharing the story at behind your love of sunflowers. Not knowing, I'd always guessed it was an homage to van Gogh.
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