For Catherine

A colleague of mine called it a career this week and, as these things often go, I found the occasion to be bittersweet. I am happy for my retired co-worker, but sad to see her go. When I met Catherine a year-and-a-half ago, we connected immediately over our love of gardens. For two growing seasons, I was lucky enough to assist her in caring for the flowers around the museum in High Park, Colborne Lodge.

Colborne Lodge, the museum in High Park.
John George Howard and Jemima Howard built 
Colborne Lodge in 1837 as a summer home and
retired there in 1855.

I am not really a warm and fuzzy type and I'm not big on gifts or grand gestures, but I did want to mark this significant milestone in some way. Naturally, my thoughts turned to the gardens around the Lodge, and a light-hearted poem packed with puns emerged.

For Catherine

I'm not great at thank yous or goodbyes
so thistle have to do
A look back at the memories 

of the garden that you grew

Snapdragons and salvia bursting with colour

Tropical cannas bringing the heat

Susans in waves at the height of summer

Phlox and roses make the garden complete

Pink poppies dancing among the trees

Calendula laughing in December

Sweet scent of milkweed and lilac on the breeze

Oh, what a garden to remember

Thank you very mulch for everything

I hope our frondship lasts the test of thyme

John, Jemima, and the Lodge will miss you so

as will your fellow gardener in crime

Pink poppies are a sight to behold in spring

You know it's summer when
the phlox are in full bloom

A mass planting of Black-Eyed Susans signals
that summer will soon be winding down

The astonishing loveliness of Hollyhocks

Happy Retirement!

Happy Gardening!