A few years ago, at the strong suggestion of my cardiologist, I began to get serious about daily walks. Since that time I have taken fifty minute walks on most days. That same doctor, at some point in time, upped the ante and asked if I was including hills in my walks. I sheepishly admitted that my neighborhood is quite flat, as is our local, lovely bike path. But one day I noticed a relatively untraveled offshoot from the main trail.....................
Curiosity and a glimpse of lush green drew me down the path where I discovered a peaceful glen AND a path that included two short but steep hills. There was also an historic sign. (Have I ever mentioned that I love these gold and blue signs?)
The bridge, over a century old, flows over a creek that is a noisy torrent after a rain, and a gentle stream at other times. Taken twice per walk, this little off-shoot kicked the cardio up a considerable notch. From the start I began to take notice of a home in a lovely setting alongside the trail, a home whose garden slopes towards the path and gives walkers a bit of scenery. As the season progressed, I looked forward to seeing what was in bloom in the garden.
One year ago I had the task of dividing my apricot lilies, which were overgrowing their space.
I simply had too many to keep. And I thought of that garden I admired on the path. On a whim, I wrapped a couple of tubers in newspaper, put them in a bag with a note thanking the residents for giving walkers such a nice view. I took them with me on my walk and put the bag in their mailbox. (Never mind that my amused grown children called me "The Stalker.") A week later I returned from our family vacation in the Adirondacks and resumed my walking. I happened to notice a stake in the ground at the edge of the garden, with a plastic bag attached, and an envelope inside an attached zip-loc bag. I thought, "Could that be for me?" With trepidation I drew closer and read, "For My Gardening Friend." It WAS meant for me! I was delighted with my gift. Anonymous thanked me for the iris, and gave me tubers for two varieties of iris that originated from her mother's garden on Long Island. I was most honored to be the recipient. I set them in and eagerly awaited their blossom this year. And here they are!
I still haven't met my gardening friend - but I love knowing that our iris are blooming in each others gardens.
