MOST UNUSUAL !

Here it is, almost Thanksgiving and not a drop of rain . . . not a flake of snow. Temps in the 60's.
Grass is greening up and the azalea buds are swelling. Two perennials are still in bloom along our
driveway. I see them each time I come or go. There presence gives me pause. How long will they
last?  This is what prompted the prose poem of a conversation between the two flowers. Years ago
I saw my first Scabiosa on a remote western island of Ireland. I never thought I would see one again.
And then they appeared in a retail garden center where I was working. I couldn't believe my eyes.
I bought one of the beautiful blue-flowering plants and planted it along our driveway.


And Thus Spoke Scabiosa

Nearly Thanksgiving in Minnesota - and still no snow . . . or rain
for that matter. Does that strike you as a little strange, Rose?

         It sure does, Scabiosa. One thing is for sure - this Thanksgiving
         I'm grateful for whoever that is that comes around and pours a
         pitcher of water on me once a week or so. Without that, I'm not
         at all sure I could make it through to see spring . . .

Me either Rose!  I think I heard that same water-bearer say that he 
had once seen one of my relatives in Ireland!

         Yes, Scabiosa. I heard that same comment. That it was somewhere
         on Inishbofin Island. (I'm pretty sure that is how it is pronounced.)

You've got it right, Rose!  Yes - that does make sense. I do have relatives
in Ireland and I've heard that Inishbofin is a beautiful place to live.

I wonder if they got any rain this fall?                     -Clem J. Nagel