I got my first spring call of the season yesterday from Mimi. Mimi. When you hear that name, doesn't it conjure a cute, petite, vivacious, bouncey, somewhat fragile, little bitty thing?? Well, most of those words describe my Mimi, except she is the most outrageously amazing septo/octo-genarian (?) gardener-- and anything but fragile or softspoken. Outspoken? Definitely. Opinionated? Absolutely. Talented, learned, and generous almost to a fault. Yep, that's Mimi.
Our paths crossed about 6 years ago when my gardens were on "tour". (In our little town, this pretty much just meant it was our turn; we try to have something nice--but believe, me, our gardens will always be nothing more than a work in progress.) Anyway, I was in the yard just praying no one would ask me anything Latin or to identify anything, or point out some of my pretty weeds that I know have no business in a "real" garden, but that I fuss over as if they were award winning plants---when this older, gnome-like lady confronted me with--'you the one who lives here?' (Oh, no, I didn't pray hard enough--now I'm going to get slam-dunked, and I really did try to clean up the place......) She goes on to say, she's lived in our town her whole life, and spent many many years visiting the various people who lived in our house before we did---knew our backyard really really well, and almost didn't waste her time coming, because she knew how awful it always had been......but was really glad she did. (phew!) To make a long story---slightly longer.....she's somewhat adopted me and my efforts, and every spring calls to share some of her wonderful (and I do mean WONDERFUL) plants. Most are perenniels, so over the years, I, too, have filled my "empty" spaces and find the need to share things with others. Is there anything better than pass-along plants? (We have some currant tomatoes she shared with us about 5 years ago----that have TOTALLY taken over our alley. The word is out, and when those tomatoes are in full fruit---anyone is welcome to drive by and pick their fill. Or pull a plant or two---I'll never miss them!)
I went to her house this morning....giant coreopsis, zinnias, an Italian ice tomato plant, some cosmos, a few white cleome, and a couple of things I've already forgotten the names of--have been lovingly planted. (She's very deaf; we sort of yell at each other and ride around on a golf cart to her various garden beds, and while I'm saying----oh, that's more than I need.....she's digging away and filling my bucket, maybe really not hearing me---maybe just ignoring me.)
She just doesn't quite "get it" that I am a novice---and always will be. Yes, I've learned a lot from her, but she talks to me as if I really know and understand plants on her level. I guess I should be honored---actually, I'm just befuddled. But, then, I sort of befuddle, her, too----she keeps telling me that I really can't grow peonies in the shade next to the house.
Please don't tell my peonies!
Joining Lady Cordelia for Thrifting Thursday.....free plants, pretty darn thrifty!
