Simply Meandering

Most weeks, my simple pleasure is something that sneaks up on me unawares. Even though I'm on the lookout for it, I don't actually plan it. The surprise is part of the pleasure.  Some weeks, though, are different. Sometimes, you're in such need of simple pleasure that you go in search of one.

This was one such week.

It's hot and miserable around here, and I felt the strong need to color my world with flowers.

Too bad I can't grow them.

It's true.  The same girl who loves poetry but can't compose a poem and loves singing but can't carry a tune... also loves flowers... but has a brown thumb.

Sad, isn't it?

Not to worry, though. I just headed to the local botanical gardens. I grabbed the shiny red Kodak, too.  I thought you might want to come along.

I think you can tell a lot about a woman by the kind of flowers that she likes. Some gals like long stemmed roses. Others love the exotic orchids. Some prefer flowering trees; others have a favorite pick from the garden.

Me? I like a random, quirky, clump.

That's the way I like my gardens, too. No carefully manicured rose gardens for me. I like a meandering mishmash, emphasis on the meandering part. You see, it's not just the flowers that I love. It's the effect they have on my imagination.

That's exactly what I get at our local botanical gardens, 

especially in the summer.

Oh, it starts formal enough, with its brick walks and orderly blossoms...

But eventually, the paths become narrow.  

They turn into a little pergola covered walkway.

It's enchanting.  

Can you see it back there? 

It weaves its way through those flowers until it opens up

with a canopy of  Confederate jasmine.

I have no idea what those spidery white blossoms are.  I rarely stop to read the tags. I'm too busy writing the setting to the great American novel in my head.

The brick path picks up again and leads to this tumbled down fountain.  It's surrounded by wonderful old outbuildings and a vegetable garden,  but I'll save them for another day.

I'd rather explore.

That's where the brick paths end,
 and the adventure trails begin.
That's my favorite part. 

Eventually, you make your way  

back to the main cottage.  

It sits behind the fence

And beyond the winding path 

beside the secret garden bench 

surrounded by happy flowers

Simply wonderful...

And that's about it for this summer. 

Come fall, I'll be out there again, ready to make up a whole new story in my head to go along with the fall foliage. But for now, meandering through Mishmash Gardens is this week's simple pleasure.

What about you? What's your flower pleasure?

*****

Sharing with Dayle at A Collection of This and That

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