Many years ago we found a source for large rocks near our home. They had once been ballast for sailing ships that docked in New Orleans. Then they were used to make cobble stone streets in the city. As they were pulled up and discarded they were brought to a facility near our home for storage. Mama really wanted some so we took a little wagon and brought these home to her.
At first she painted them bright primary colors and arranged them around a small tree. Later she let the paint wear off so that the blooms would be the stars of the garden. She chose bulb plants that would bloom every spring. Often she handed me the bags of bulbs and let me arrange them however I wanted. Maybe the gardening passion that I have today was born then.
When she moved the rocks came with her----and now they are in my yard. However, I have them tumbled into a heap where I keep a bird bath. Bright patches of paint still remain on their bottoms, and I think of those spring tulips and daffodils that mama and I planted so many years ago every time I see them.
