Wednesday, July 18, 2007

COMPETITION CAN CHANGE YOU

We have this yard that gives us so much pleasure, with a lawn and hedge that Lawrence keeps neatly trimmed; and a side bed created from nothing and brought to beauty by David; and a veranda with a large number of flower baskets; and my front bed of lilies, irises and peonies.” It is a celebration of abundance, not so much a carefully conceived plan. But it has grown. Watching it grow a little each year, Ruth once said, I think you have a bit of a flower problem.”

We have this neighbour named Ed, the best neighbour anybody could want. He’s such a great neighbour that he was one of the selling features listed by the lady who wanted to sell us the house. He keeps a beautiful yard for us to look at. He often comes over to admire our splendour, to say how tough the competition is with us living on his street. We have always told him there is no competition.

But now things are changing. The postman has left a little sign nominating our front yard in recognition of Communities In Bloom. The first thing Lawrence said when he saw it was, “How does Ed feel about this?”

Some time in the next couple of weeks, according to the brochure the postman left, a representative from the horticultural society is going to come out for a look at our yard. It will be rated along with other nominated yards. Like I said, we are not in a competition.

It is not really unusual that I would just go out there and give the pots a little trim up, taking out a few dead things, moving a few of the prettier things from the back to the front. It’s quite common for me to turn the rose bushes so the blooms are visible from the street. So why did I feel just a little bit guilty doing it? I’ve never felt guilty about yard care before.

Is it because of Ed? No, it can’t hurt Ed. He’s away on summer holidays. And anyway, Ruth says we need not fear the competition. We are safe. We can’t possibly win anything with all those dandelions out there.

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