Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 13:17:10 -0500
From: nabooko
Subject: . .
Seldom do I stop- Stop working in the dirt that is. My Chatham garden is an on going project- Summer or winter, hot or cold- Seldom do I not find time to mess around in the dirt. Projects come and go. Project sometimes get finished- sometimes left mid-way. Fall is always tricky with the amount of clothing one needs. Start out with much and end up with less- As many know, I start wearing a sweater cap early on- Can’t stand cold on top of my head.
About 12 years ago, I started a new section to my garden, off the beaten path- I worked on it in the fall and in the cold. As usual, other things demanded my attention and that section of the garden was left on its own. The years sped by, weeds and unwanted plant growth took over.
Not too long ago, after 12 years, I decided to tackle it again. Periwinkle had just about taken over the site. I had unknowingly set a pot of it down and it took root. Periwinkle is difficult to get rid of. You pull and pull- but tiny parts of the roots remain and sprout again. As I tugged at the periwinkle shoots, I noticed a most peculiar object or formation in the leaves and entangled periwinkle. At first it appeared to be a rotted stump- no, more like a rotting mushroon colony. It was blackish, soft and spongy. Gental tugging did not move it- one hearty yank brought it up!
For heaven’s sake! It was my good black sweater-cap. Taken off in the heat 12 years ago- thrown to the ground and of course, I forgot it at the end of the day.
The cap was so matted with roots and dirt, it was actually supporting plant-life!
Hats off to this absent-minded gardner- and it will probably happen again. Next time, I hope I leave my keys in the same spot- it greatly reduces the search time!
N.A. Booko
Click on the web-link below to see discovery:
www.mindspring.com/~expectations/cap.jpg