Old Red 2014-W20

It's nearly 20 years now since I moved into my current domicile, but that was in autumn so this is really only my 19th springtime here.  But heck, close enough.  The back yard didn't have much going for it back then.  One bright spot was a solitary red tulip near a corner of the garage.

Who planted it remains a mystery.  And not a compelling one so no effort was put into discovering who or when someone buried that bulb.  But it sure is a hardy fellow.  Year in, year out, with not much care (other than what force majeure furnishes) it has bloomed.  And so it came into flower again this year.

Seeing it cheers me, and after all these years I guess it is as good as any other old friend.  "Haven't seen you in a while..." and then we settle into familiar and comfortable old rhythms.  I leave that little corner of the yard unbothered, and if a squirrel is foolish enough to start digging around there, squirrel gets a taste of whatever is handy to throw.  Don't mess with my friend, you lousy tree rat.

As we do with our other old friends, I overlook it's flaws.  It isn't my favorite type of tulip and I don't like red flowers.  My garden is much grander nowadays and so spring means a lot of backbreaking work lies ahead. I frown at the thought.  But as I begin raking the winter detritus from his spot I think "I hope Old Red comes back" and I work more happily, confident he will soon arise as we move through the cycle once more.

Old Red