elf

I found you hiding out in the open,

peeking around petals,

ducking bees and butterflies.

Your ancient magic flutters,

misting through the bricks,

protecting hearth and home.

Shoes all tidy.

Clothes clean and folded.

Nuts cracked and shelled.

Dishes a-sparkle.

Done for the day.

Dusk brings completion.

Downtime for dwarfs.

I imagine you smoking a long pipe

when you aren't toiling 

at my care.

Red cap tilted at a rakish angle,

kerchief loosened,

buttons popped,

frothy ale to hand,

decorating your mustache,

coaxing a satisfied sigh.

Flash 55 - The Accidental Gardener

"Nanho Blue" Butterfly Bush Buddleia (on the corner), Salvia (purple across the back), Coreopsis (yellow in the middle), Coneflower (white in the front) 

All of my plants are perennials because I'm not doing this again. They are officially on their own.

 Astilbe (in the back) miniature blue hydrangea (on corner) Hosta (under the mailbox)

They are in the shade of a holly (full of berries) and a dogwood. 

I’m not much of an outdoors sort of person

I have to wear sunglasses on cloudy days

The sunshine is ok but only if I’m in the shade

God made air-conditioners for a reason

I cried when my mother made me pick blueberries

Flowers should take care of themselves

So I deserve lots of points

I worked up a sweat getting an idea for the G-Man's story.

I'm trying to identify these bushes. They were here when we bought the house. They are evergreens. Right now they are over 15 feet tall. I thought they might be a form of Privet but I don't recall there be flowers in the Spring or berries in the Fall. I don't think there are thorns deep inside. The birds love hanging out in them. Any ideas?