the thing that happens ....

... when the sun shines, the weather warms, things start turning green. All indicators making me know that spring is on the way: I am some how compelled to take the 'garden shop route' when I need to run into Walmart. Normally I can just dash in and out, grab what I want, and run through the self-check out line, get out the door with that one thing and on my way. But when those colorful bloomers begin to make their appearance in the garden shop, I am suckered into the detour, have lust for things I did not mean to purchase.

It happened about a week ago, causing me to come out the door with at least forty dollars worth of little bags of plant starts I did not intend to purchase. Several peonies, bags of astilbe in colors I have never seen before, and a really pretty purple iris. Most were given away, relieving me of the responsibility of planting and caring for them. There was a time when I would plant things and say: 'OK. I've done my part, now the rest is up to you.' But lately, after investing cash to get the plants home, plus time to put them in a location where I hope they will be happy, with good nutritious soil, I feel the weighty obligation to nurture, water, fertilize, tend.

In a burst of energy, when I got home from eight hours of on-my-feet yesterday, I dug some holes and got the pink, purple, and red astilbe planted. This occurred because I went to Wallyworld again. Thinking I could run in, make my selection, dash through the self-check out line and be on my way. Foolishly thinking I would make a quick trip: failing to consider it was Saturday afternoon, and every redneck from six counties would be there shopping.

Sadly, I was lured into the garden shop, where I was once again lured into making a purchase: bought asparagus starts, which I came home and planted. Out along the property line, next to the asparagus starts from two years ago, that are already industriously making asparagus. The last time I saw some spears that had unexpectedly appeared out there along the fence, I cut them and ate them right there, on the spot: no washing, no cooking, no cleaning, just chomping on freshly harvested asparagus. Yum!