Time for the Chemainus Communities in Bloom folks to kick back and rest those aching muscles, happy knowing that it was a job well done. More than 2,000 daffodil and narcissus bulbs in the ground was the last task and looking forward to the dream for 2019.
We close out the year with an old favourite (by Karen Geisler):
A Gardener’s Night Before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the yard,
Not a plant was left standing, the ground was all hard.
The tools were all hung in the garage with care,
A well deserved rest, now the garden was bare.
The bulbs were all nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of springtime danced in their heads.
I, in my Snuggie, my husband and cat,
Had just settled in for a long winter’s chat.
When out in the hydrangeas there arose such a clatter,
I dropped my seed catalogue to see what was the matter.
Away to the front door I quickly dashed,
Half expecting to find my yard had been trashed!
When I opened the door, it was suddenly clear,
There was a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old gardener so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More quickly than crabgrass his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Holly! Now Ivy! Now Daisy and Rue!
On Rose, On Petunia, Fern and Lily, too!
To the top of the trellis! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!
So up to the housetop the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of gifts and St. Nicholas, too.
I closed the front door and was turning around,
When he slid down the chimney, hitting the ground.
He was dressed all in red, with Wellies on his feet,
The poinsettia on his cap, made him look really neat.
He stood up quite quickly and went straight to his work,
With a composter for Cathy, a Dutch weeder for Dirk.
There were Asters for Ann, a pine tree for Paul,
And a garden design book for use by us all.
Next came a rain barrel. This was for Rob.
And finally, for me, a ginkgo key fob.
Then laying a trowel aside of his nose,
And giving a nod up the chimney he rose.
He ran to his sleigh and gave a quick whistle,
And away they all flew like the seeds of globe thistle.
But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight,
Merry Christmas all gardeners, and to all a good night!
Chemainus Communities in Bloom next meets on Tuesday, March 19th, 2019, 7 p.m. at Steeples. Watch for our blog at www.wedigchemainus.ca for updates.