A couple of months ago, a gardening friend of mine surprised me with four flower seedlings! At the time, she'd forgotten the page that identified each species, but I told her that I would rather they be a surprise! Week after week, I've been watering them and watching them grow. One of them was nearly killed when a deer ate most of it, but to my delight, it's grown from the stump that was left and is now vigorous and doing well.

In the past couple of weeks, another of the four seedlings began forming buds, and in the last two days, the buds are getting very close to opening! This morning I peered closely at the upcoming blossoms and after a gasp of of delight, I turned and ran into the house for my camera! PICTURE DAY HAS ARRIVED FOR ONE OF ROBIN'S PRESENTS TO ME!!

Before I could take pictures, I needed to bring wire clippers with me. These flowers are in our metal tub, which is completely caged in to protect them from the deer. Just after I'd planted the seedlings Robin gave me, and before we made a metal fortress, a deer came and mowed down everything in the tub--it even hopped up and walked all over it to get to the far side, leaving deep holes and dead sprouts everywhere. I was so upset! Steve helped me cage in the whole tub with fencing and mesh. Today I removed the zip ties that secure the top so I can open it up like a lid and I am now free to take pictures of my protected flowers!

It was so nice to get in there to take an unobstructed look at the lush flower bed there, and the flower I'm showing today will the largest of them all so far! I don't know what it will be...chrysanthemum? Zinnia? (Leapfrog and Erin are betting that it's a Black Eyed Susan! :D) I don't know, but it's already GORGEOUS!!! :D :D The plant has many blossoms on it too, so hopefully I'll be enjoying flowers for some weeks! HOORAY FOR FLOWER PRESENTS!! THANK YOU ROBIN!!! :D

Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson; April 4, 1928) is an American author and poet. She has published seven autobiographies, five books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She has received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees. Angelou is best known for her series of autobiographies, which focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of seventeen, and brought her international recognition and acclaim. Wikipedia: Maya Angelou

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