The "Woman with the Green Thumb" Story

It was an ordinary day. Finished my shower and was on my way down the stairs to feed the cat and water the plants. The cat job is easy, time wise, compared to watering the plants. At the beginning of the summer we take all the plants that have been placed indoors from the previous summer and move them outside onto our back deck. Every year it takes longer to accomplish that job since our banana trees sprout new shoots all the time and the plumeria plants multiply like crazy. Every day, unless it rains overnight or we are expecting rain during the day, someone has to water the plants on the deck. And ..... since I am the first person down in the morning, it is me. The deck and surrounding garden is a wonderland of gorgeous flowers and shrubs. When we first moved to the house almost 20 years ago, the bank behind the deck was filled with weeds. We had a florist help design and plant growth that would resemble an area that would remind us of the beach. Over the years they have grown and we have added to the theme. I have expanded the small pond that was installed and have two years ago added a small feeder stream and waterfall to help add more to garden. Our evening meals and parties remind us of gatherings at the beach, so the chore of watering isn't that bad a deal. And, all of this is overlooked by the gardener, my wife Carol. She knows the name of almost every plant and flower found in the Caribbean as well as local flora. We have so many comments on how lovely the garden and pond area looks. As fall arrives, I think of all the work it will be to cut the grasses and perennials and move the tropical plants into the house for the winter. But, I guess we will have more time to spend with the plants as they inhabit our house for the winter season before they will once again move to the garden next year. I have included a sampling of of the flowers and an overview of the pond with the grasses and flowers for you to see some of the gardener's labors. Enjoy, as we get to do every day! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.