Did the Easter snap last longer this year? I decided to try planting zinnias today on the first hot day after Easter. It seemed fairly straightforward, according to Google.

What I didn’t take into account was the fact that my former magnolia tree left roots, lots of damn roots. Every strike of the shovel hit a root.

So here is an account of my thoughts as I attempted to plant zinnias.

Explicitive, this is harder than I thought. Another explicitive. My back already hurts. Who am I trying to impress? I can’t compete with Margaret and Cleveland (the neighbors who practically have botanical gardens in their backyard).

“Anderson, get me some Gatorade.” Anderson to me- “Are you sweating yet? ” Obviously, I’m dying but not enough sweat to deem a Gatorade from my youngest. Brings it finally and says, “You need Gatorade.”

Finally, make it around the deck, attempt another area, and decide to pot some seeds.  Directions said you can. Anderson is rambling on about something in the backyard. I probably just agreed to something so I can keep working. A blister is forming. Ouch.

Tries to measure consistently 6 inches a part. Gives up. Starts scattering and praying God will see my hard work and reward. Maybe not after my cuss words in my thoughts.

Re pots the olive tree. Rhae at Rooster Day said her neighbor’s olive tree has blooms. Mine is alive, no blooms. “Eeh,” said as Lucille Ball.

My grandmother is in heaven laughing, the one who had the green thumb. I’m not sure what color mine is and what it means.

I pray something will grow in time for my niece’s party. My son moons me.

Time to water the front. What a choice in a mid life crisis- planting and keeping plants alive. What was I thinking?