Hollyhock Envy

No price is set on this lavish summer;

June may be had by the poorest comer.

-James Russell Lowell

Seeds of Promise

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morn more fragrant than ever again . . . .anonymous

For me, that garden was in an alley !

Hollyhocks, they were the best thing to happen to the alleyways behind my house, and they seemed to grow there in spite of soil hard as concrete,  gravel, the heat and exhaust from the rumbling garbage trucks, and constant neglect.  I never wondered why they were there, I just waited with joyful childhood anticipation every summer, and when they unfurled their tissue silken petals, I was ready  to play

I'm  never satisfied, no matter how many wonderful things are happening in my garden, I always want more!
There are a few flowers I covet, have loved forever, and yet I can't seem to get them to stick around. So when I saw the tall,  bright pink hollyhocks in bloom in my neighbor's garden this morning , the envy set in immediately.

I had them once upon a time -  I have pictures to prove it - but they moved away,  I wonder why?

Hollyhocks were meant to be playthings for little girls
blooms plucked to make dolls in floaty dresses for tea parties on the lawn

The wedding party is almost ready . . . .now, where are those toothpicks?  The white one will be the bride, the pink and yellow ones the maids, we can float them in the birdbath . . . .