This month I’ve been up to my ears in volunteer work. I’ve performed in an historic cemetery tour, served as state convention delegate for a non-profit scholarship organization, participated in several rehearsals and script writing sessions for a July 4th performance focused on an upbeat piece of local history, put in a shift as museum docent, and attended meetings. LOTS of meetings.
No wonder we haven’t seen you much lately.
I’m relieved that some of your volunteer work is of a theatrical nature.
At this point I’m feeling cross-eyed with volunteer work- -on top of wellness and cat coddling, chamber music concerts and the annual uptick in gardening. Yesterday evening it struck me: volunteers of a different kind have popped up in the garden, too. I might be wrong about this, but their pace of life seems much more relaxed about mine.
Do you mean there are people lounging around out back?
In a manner of speaking, Lily. They are definitely alive. Persistent, too. Because these volunteers were planted in past years and haven’t had to be replanted since.
So they’re plants?
Precisely, 9. These types are predisposed to re-seeding. They’re not perennials, per se, because each year the plants die at the end of the season. In the process, however, they drop a bunch of seeds that come up the next year. And the next year. And the next. . .
Introducing our most resilient volunteer, the sunflower:
Volunteers of the Year: Sunflowers!
Pretty! I love that golden color.
Next, a close runner-up, borage:
Runner up volunteers: Borage!
Popular in the Elizabethan Era. I’m sure Shakespeare had some in his garden.
And last, but far from least, the mystery plant that kept us in suspense this spring, bachelor buttons:
New volunteers for 2026: Bachelor buttons!
Unlike the vegetables I’ve planted this season, these three volunteers seem of zero interest to predatory insects. They require very little care and are pleasing to my eyes. If left unchecked, they would doubtless take over the world (not necessarily a bad outcome. . .).
And, because of their willingness to come forth yet another season, they have, in essence, volunteered to star in today’s blog.
I’d like to thank all the volunteers- -sunflower, borage and bachelor buttons- -who have made this blog possible, and assisted me in staying sane during this crazy busy month!
I love the idea of sunflowers taking over the world. Mary Oliver and I stand by you. Enjoy some downtime with a fabulous cup of tea. Great blog!
Thank you for your kind words, Doris! With you and Mary Oliver on my side I cannot fail!!