1) Peering through the window, a flash of white in the distance through thick leaves of green convinced me that at least one peony was in bloom. And then I remembered that rain was in the forecast for the morning, and I went out to harvest what there might be at once. Every year it’s disheartening to see beautiful fully-blown white peonies pounded into the mud by heavy rain.
1a) “Get some of those cage things!” you may say. A lovely thought to have well before the need. One year I did tie up the peonies with broken strands of Mardi Gras beads, which was both economical and colorful.
2) Even without the rain, the one blooming peony was already perilously close to the ground. My satisfaction with its size and scent quickly changed to concern when I saw an ant scuttling between the many petticoat layers of petals. And then another, and another . . . I ended up shooing, shaking, or flicking off about two dozen (!) ants from between all those petals! Wily little insects, I’m sure you’re very nice, but you need to stay outside.
3) Now its almost imperceptible scent makes itself felt in my study. I couldn’t be happier about it.
BONUS: In other news, things are going well for me right now. I’ve enjoyed a weekend in Vermont with friends, a visit from the Boyfriend (I will be visiting him soon, too), a presentation for a corporate client, and even returned to Reunions for the first time in three years to present to one of my old classes. But I certainly haven’t been blogging much, or on ye Fycebykke.