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WE'RE sup-
Maybe it's just me, but the changing leaves look exceptionally beautiful this year.
Or perhaps I'm noticing them in an attempt to think about something besides the news that surrounds us: debates in which candidates are downright rude, war and the ever-lengthening list of men and women whose lives will never be the same, and the brutal state of the economy.
Added to that is the ever-present stress from work-related issues.
On my drive to the office the past few days, the first part of my commute has been devoted to thinking about stories I need to get done, calls I need to make and interviews
Then, the trees along U.S. 17 remind me of their presence. I see the rolling hillsides painted with such vivid colors, I forget about everything but the scene in front of me.
It's as if I'm surprised anew every time I see the assortment of leaves.
I've done the same double-take at my flower bed.
My thumbs are hardly green--in fact, I tend to go with the hardiest plants known to man because I'm no garden guru. And this year, marigolds have blessed me with a marathon run.
The hardy flowers grew so quickly and to the size of small shrubs, I had to move some from the flower bed, just so the plants wouldn't choke out each other.
I transplanted some of the marigolds between the boxwood bushes, and they quickly adapted to their new surroundings.
They've grown so big, they look like mums.
We're in late October, and they're still blooming like it's summertime.
I religiously lopped off the dead heads through the warm months, to allow for more blooms, but I confess I've gotten lazy since Columbus Day.
I thought the marigolds wouldn't be around much longer, especially as the weather got cool and our attention turned toward the election.
But like the leaves on the trees, the flowers have been impressive. I'm thrilled with the display--and the distraction they provide.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com
