cut peonies are better than no peonies at all

We were up at the farm this weekend (for a reason I'll blog about later), and the best thing about being at the farm in June, specifically — aside from the company which, happily, isn't confined to a single month — is that the peonies are in bloom, and my father-in-law always lets me cut some for my table.


One of these is from the parent stock of the root I planted last fall. We're not really sure which one — even my father-in-law isn't — and I've given up on finding out this year. That little plant looks like it's still alive, at least, but it's little — I'd say maybe a foot tall, which is kind of dispiriting for a peony. I'm not sure if it's because this is its first year — supposedly, they don't bloom in their first year — or if it really is struggling. Apparently peonies don't like to compete with things, and my garden is a plant-eat-plant kind of place.

Similarly, I am kind of demoralised right now. I spent an awfully long time weeding and taking care of the garden a mere two weeks ago, and now it is overgrown and scraggly again. I know, intellectually, that that's what happens, but instinctively I felt very defensive every time Pd pointed out a weed or an overgrown bush — I did work in the garden; I have kept my resolution (so far) — this isn't like last year at all! And yet.