The hollyhock cutting my friend gave me grew into a monster vine with 77 leaves the size of a large pizza. The vine tangled around the azalea and lilac bushes, shaded my parsley and basil then grew in-between the impatiens. Finally it continued to twist around the slate pathway and up the gateposts. Large yellow flowers bloomed, fell off but didn’t leave any fruit. For sure, it wasn’t a zucchini, watermelon or cucumber vine. My curiosity allowed it to cover the entire yard.

I know God created man high above the angels and the angels high above other creatures. But the hedgehog that enjoyed my Swiss chard was very intelligent. He outsmarted a man-made trap decorated with lettuce and apples.

A month ago, I became anxious for my two tomato plants to bear fruit. When thirty tomatoes finally started to turn red, I noticed a little round hole in each tomato. So I carefully pulled the branches apart, and during my inspection I spotted a very quiet, long, fat green worm arrogantly clinging to a branch. Also the tomatoes had tiny black worms.

Surprises continued. A pink rose bloomed on the white rose bush.

Today I noticed a little round green thing with stripes on the vine. Could it be a pumpkin or a watermelon?

Yes, a garden is a lot like life. It can be beautiful, filled with surprises and also unexpected hardships. “Cast all your cares upon me and worry not” said the Master Gardener who everyday wakes up the Heavenly Blue morning glories to declare his love for us.

-Carole Harris