the beautifier

our garden is plowed! so today, in my quest for plants, i met whom i've called "the bridge lady" for lack of a better name. (first i went to wilco and bought gorgeous herbs and vegetable starts. hint: go to the very back of the garden center first, they are 40% off and there's nothing wrong with them!)

so on the way home, i saw the "free" sign for flowering lamb's ear at "the bridge lady's" house. i've stopped and gotten free plants from her before. i always go, though, when i don't think she'll see me. honestly, i thought she was kind of odd because i see her just hanging out on the bridge at random hours of the night when i drive by. plus she...stares. so today i parked and made a run for it. but before i could leave she saw me and came out to help. the joke's on me, as she is a completely nice woman who just loves to garden and share her bounty. the reason she hangs out on the bridge is to weed and to beautify it, replanting flowers native to this area along the banks. phew. i suddenly felt silly for being scared of her. i'm glad we've met as fellow plant lovers. in fact, i suggested maybe she put out a jar for donations and she thought that was a good idea.

i carried the flowers, root bulb and all, back to my car thinking, i should really give her a new name. how about "the beautifier"?