"The Poorly Guarded Girl"

I was once fortunate enough to see these two astounding dancers perform at the ROH. Carlos Acosta and Marianela Nunez performing the lead parts in La Fille mal gardee.

It gave me goosebumps all the way through, and there was nothing but good feelings in me from start to finish. They were exquisite.

For the most part, gardening affords me similar feelings when the chance occurs.

At this time of year. October, November, and part of December, hit like a steam train. Leaf clearing, planting schemes, nursery visits, client demands, lawn treatments....all on top of end of year trimming, path moss treatments, pruning...and...and...and....

Everyone wants things done by Christmas for some strange reason. I'm not sure why, because everything will still be there in 2020. The gardens will be doing what they do, and expecting us gardeners to become part of them once more.

As gardeners, we shall rest for a while, just as our gardens do, despite their owners demands. We shall return in the New Year, and dance our dance, just as Carlos and Marienela do.

I am tired and waiting for some rest. Our gardens are shutting down. Tree and shrubs going dormant for their winter sleep. We are planting new schemes madly, ready to see the results blossom in the spring, when we as gardeners can once again put on our dancing shoes and join in the plant madness for another year.