Planting A Future (#TheBloggingLounge)

Photo Prompt from The Blogging Lounge

 Photo: Ariana Browning Twice a month we are given a prompt from Ariana Browning, sometimes it's a picture, other times it's words. Here's the January 22, 2014 photo prompt, just in case you would like to write a bit too. This was a hard photo for me, or perhaps it was the thoughts that were buried that were difficult to write about. I did it, but it was like pulling tulips up while they were blooming. ;-)     Planting a Future
 

Claudia was thankful for the sunshine, there was a lot of work to complete before the flower gardens would showcase that spring was here. She spent most of the day with her knees planted in the dirt as she fluffed and settled the various flowers she wanted to see from her window into the ground. Gerbera daisies lined the front of the house, just a peek over the wooden porch with their bright red faces. Closer to the ground there was a carpet of alyssum in white. 

"Why would you put those flowers down there when they just look like snow on the ground. I thought you liked all the bright colours," Nettie said as she snooped over Claudia's shoulder.

 "It is because I like the bright colours that they are there Nettie. When the Gerbera's are next to them they are much brighter, than when they are planted with other bright flowers, and I like them," Claudia answered, as she pushed another row of alyssum into the dirt.

"What's Mark going to say when he finds out you spent all this money on flowers?" Nettie asked as she pushed her fist into her plump hip.

"Mark? I don't think he will say anything Nettie."

"Well yer askin' for trouble if you ask me." 

"I didn't ask you Nettie, but that never stops you from telling me what you think any way," Claudia said as she got up and rounded the corner of the house.

Low branches of a lilac formed an arch near the side gate and shared a wonderful aroma when they were in bloom that she could smell each time she went outside. She took a deep breath in as she turned the water on where she had been planting and tugged the old wheelbarrow from a corner near the fence. It was her one pleasure, gardening. This year she would plant flowers everywhere. There was plenty of space, and plenty of money to do so. It made Claudia happy to see the flowers, and happy was what she intended to be.

Claudia smiled as she parked the small wooden wheelbarrow in the front corner of the yard, and gave it a little pat. Petunias spilled over the edges in shades of purple, like the bruises he used to leave on her skin. She stepped back to look at the corner as she brushed her hands off on her apron. After 12 years of living in the same house, this year would be different. This year there would be colour everywhere there was a spot for it. This year the flowers would grow well. This year Mark would not be there to tell her she was wasting his money. This year everything would bloom.

  Images used in this blog are either mine or come from Morguefiles unless indicated otherwise.