The brotherhood of gardeners

About a mile up the road from where I live is a row of bungalows and one of them, every single year I've been here (since 1999) it's had an absolutely wonderful display of hollyhocks. My hairdresser is just opposite so I get to admire it often. Today I arrived for my hair appointment and there was the occupier of the bungalow standing by his gate. At last!

So I took the opportunity to go over and speak to him, complimenting him on his long lasting show of flowers. But he was elderly and though pleased to have someone notice his garden, sadly said the hollyhocks were all that remained of the garden he was once so proud of. But we chatted on about the hollyhocks, what kind they were and had they been the same plants all these years. And I told him how I'd tried to grow them but they'd only lasted one or two years so he asked if I'd like some seeds as he had plenty.

Now wasn't that sweet of him? So sad to see his lovely garden all gone to waste. It was easy to see it had once been really cultivated and loved. I would say he was old but he's probably about the same age I am but not so fit. I know how he feels. My garden is gradually going to waste as well though I am lucky to be able to afford a gardener for a couple of hours a fortnight if only to stave of the inevitable decay.

Well this nice little man was waiting for someone to come and pick him up and I had a hair appointment so we agreed I will call back next Friday for the seeds.

The brotherhood of gardeners - great, isn't it?

 

awww x my neighbor is putting things in place so she can carry on gardening when a little older (she hasn't said so but ive noticed x raised beds more garden going etc etc ) shame but it comes to us all x im in my 40s and starting to look at "easy" gardening options for the future, as i dont have the funds atm i am doing all the digging etc as if i wait a few years i may be too tired lol i bet it made his day though the fact you showed interest xx

 

such a nice story. I hope you do get back next Friday. I have be friended folks simply because of their gardens also. Its a nice start.

 

Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a society where those with a more able body and a bit of time on their hands could help those out who can't do it any more, knowing that when its their turn to be decrepit and lonely, random youngsters will do the same for them? I often think that, but sadly I doubt it will ever happen.

Wife told me that today, and elderly lady that she knows no more than that she has walked by our house a few times, and said hello in the street, offered to knit some clothes for our kids. Wife was polite in her gentle fobbing off apparently. I put it to the wife that if this elderly lady is offering such acts of kindness to a near total stranger, then wife should graciously accept, as it seems likely that the elderly lady is lonely and just trying to make connections. By accepting this offer of random kindness, most likely new friendships would develop, which would be nice for all concerned. I love my missus, but despite the fact that I grew up in the rough half of town while she grew up in the posh side, for some reason, possibly a good thing most of the time, she doesn't seem to trust people as readily as I do.

 

clueless 1 its the same with me and my hubby, he grew up on the nicer side of town i didnt but im friendlier and more accepting not that hubby isnt but sometimes i find a difference x

 

Oh what lovely posts! Thank you all.

 

The old chap who lived opposite us was a very keen gardener and his front garden was always an absolute picture, my husband was admiring one of his roses one day and asked him which one it was, he said he didn't know but to leave it with him and he would find out.
About 3 weeks later he knocked on our door, presented my hubby with one of these roses and beaming from ear to ear told him the name!!! Back then neither he nor us had a computer to look these things up so he probably went to considerable trouble to find this rose.
He and my hubby remained friends because of that.

 

@Daisies thank you for sharing that; what a lovely encounter and I bet it made his day to reminisce about the garden in its hey day. So, what variety of hollyhock are they?

@clueless1 - maybe Mrs C would feel a little happier about accepting the lady's offer if she could "trade" something in return? A homemade cake or something? I do agree, the old lady is possible lonely, or maybe she is one of life's gems who gets pleasure out of random acts of kindness?

 

No idea! He's long since forgotten except that he said one of them had black blooms!

 

All this has prompted me to post this link. http://www.kindspring.org/story/
I hope nobody minds and some may even find it useful.