Arrrgh!!!

Do you remember a little book that was so popular a few years back that encouraged us to do random acts of kindness? I don't think we do enough of them.

I have been thinking for several years that I needed to write a note to the gardener at a house I pass three times a week on the way to exercise. Perhaps ten years ago, I realized that this gardener was very slowly creating a beautiful shade garden under a stand of pines. Each year a few more plants made their presence known until there was something blooming through out the entire growing season.

I do very little shade gardening, although I seem to have more shade now than when we moved to this house seventeen years ago. I thought it would be lovely to walk through this garden, and talk with the gardener, and learn about plants that I've never grown.

I started saying the street number to myself, and had it memorized, but I'd forget to write the note. I finally wrote the address down to nudge my memory and then lost the paper I'd written it on. Finally, I wrote the address down on one page of a small notebook I carry, and left the notebook open in my purse so I'd have to pass it each time I got something out of my purse.

This Monday morning, I saw the note, and took the time to write the briefest of notes to the gardener. I didn't beg for the chance to walk through the garden. I just told the gardener that I had been watching, and that I thought (s)he had done a marvelous job.

Last night, the gardener called, and got my answering machine. Dear Husband heard the call and told me to go listen. Although it was close to eight at night, I called, and had the most lovely conversation with the couple who live at number 1915. It turns out the gardener is a man who has lived at that house for 54 years.

We chatted about people who live in this area, and I was able to bring to his mind which house was mine by telling him that I lived across the road from one of the oldest families in our area. I know all sorts of things about this couple, and they know a few things about me. I told them about our raccoon trials, and they commiserated. This gentleman and I have more than gardening in common. We both have spouses who don't garden! *G*

We have stormy weather coming in for the next few days, but we're expecting sun by Tuesday. My gardening friend generously invited me to come see his gardens. I asked if we could postpose our visit until the clear weather next week, and we settled on late Tuesday morning. I was thrilled to be invited. I have a lot to learn from him. I think it's going to be a lovely visit.

You know, I wish I had done this SO much sooner!