I am so very lucky to live in Kentucky in the spring time. So much beauty with the grass, trees, and flowers. The flowers are springing up out of the earth; wildflowers, daffodils, tulips, irises, peonies, poppies, wood poppies, anemones, azaleas, and roses (the queen of flowers). And everyone is bringing bouquets of flowers into their homes. It seems especially true in the month of May as we have so many celebrations that involve flowers.

The horse that wins the race The Kentucky Derby is draped with a ten foot long blanket of gorgeous red roses. Four hundred of them! And all the Derby parties here in Louisville often involve some type of flower to decorate homes and patios. Mother’s Day is huge for flowers sent to honor moms everywhere. One of the Foxy Hags, Chickie, delivers bouquets for a local florist and tells me it is one of their busiest weeks of the year. Graduations for all ages of students happen in May. I attended my amazing niece Kennedy’s college graduation yesterday, up at Northern Kentucky University. I so enjoyed watching her. She couldn’t quit smiling! Many of the families presented the grads with fresh flowers, or other gifts. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole ceremony, honoring all the students. Discipline and determination are a big part of obtaining a college degree and I really admire those traits in someone pursuing their dreams.

One of my favorite things to do is to mess with my flowers in my yard. The perennials that come back every year make me smile, and I welcome them with open arms. And this past Saturday I went to a large greenhouse and bought my annual flowers. Each year I place them in large flower pots around my front porch and my back patio, creating big buckets of color. I talk to them, and sing to them, and tell them how beautiful they are. How happy they will be living around Grandmother Tree.

To all the other gardeners out there, I know you understand. We love to play in the dirt!

c   Love, Joan