Ways we remember...

When I had my small house call pet grooming business in Memphis I met and grew to know some memorable people. Some of my favorites were elderly-- folks who doted on their pets and seemed more than delighted to have me come visit them. One such lady was named Francis, I cannot for the life of me remember her last name, but it began with a "B." She lived in a small, immaculate retirement apartment. She was funny and kind and told wonderful stories of her colorful life. At the entry of her home was a wee little space for a flower bed, maybe 2'x6'. She planted it with a combination of flowers which I found to be delightfully shocking. The back row was scarlet geraniums. The middle row was brilliant orange marigolds, and in the front a row of deepest purple petunias. Those colors! Only Francis would put them together. Every year I vow to make a similar garden, and this year I made my own version of it in huge pot by the backyard fire pit. I added sweet potato vine and coleus, but the colors are just as wild as her rendition. It makes me smile in fond remembrance when I see it. Such are the ways I think of the charismatic people who have woven the tapestry of my life.