Little lessons

Some of my mom's greatest pleasures were her flowers and vegetables, and she most definitely had a green thumb.  When she passed away 13 years ago, I was determined to keep her flowers alive.  I have so many things of hers still thriving in my yard.  I have divided and shared with many of my friends over the years.  Here is a picture of her clematis .....

I worked hard on my flower beds the summer after she passed on to make room for all her things.  The following spring I was working in my flower beds and her peonies were really growing.  I noticed some ants on the buds and mentioned to my 6-year-old daughter, who was out helping me, that I needed to run to Lowe's and get some insect spray or dust to get rid of the ants on Mamaw's peonies.  She told me that the peony buds were covered with wax and the ants needed to eat that off or the peonies would not bloom.  I asked her how she knew that and she said her Mamaw had told her once when she was helping her with her flower beds.  I could just visualize my sweet mom taking the time to explain to Hayley about those ants on the peonies.  I remember that conversation every year about this time ....

Do your job little ants, I want to see my mom's beautiful peonies bloom.