Hollyhock

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This summer I decided to grow hollyhocks.  An entire package of seeds was planted and one plant resulted.

Planted in May it wasn't until July that one plant appeared. When it did I wasn't sure it was a hollyhock but, or so, I let it grow.  Despite the frustration of not knowing what it was that was growing until mid-summer I really enjoyed growing this flower. 

I was utterly dumbfounded at the size, strength and vigor of the plant.  The number of  large, showy, vibrant pink flower blossoms was mind-blowing.

Growing the flower garden this summer was spiritually beneficial in a time of COVID stress.  The genuineness of the law of 'Karma' is evident every day you do or do not weed and water. Gardening is a genuine life lesson, you reap what you sow.  Or as The Buddha said:  

"1. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.

2. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him."

I enjoyed growing the hollyhock and was impressed with how big it got.  The plant in the picture is not as big as it had been destined to become. Fate intervened, a wind came up and ripped off 4 large blossom laden stalks leaving only the center stalk which was impressive in it's own right. 

I made a video and for some reason I am unable to display the video with the embed code you can see it click here.  

As a public service with the President racing the length and breadth of the nation hosting disease spreading events there is something you need to remember.  Voting this November is a MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.