Tiny Pink Lantana
Behind The Bunny Bungalow there is an alley. When I was a child, alleys were places to be feared. Neighborhood boys told frightening stories about things they encountered there. And there was that one summer night, when I was six, that a prowler came from the alley, over our back fence, then attempted to break into our house by cutting the screen of the open window next to my bed. He was stopped only by my screams.
So when Tall Husband came into the bungalow last Saturday and solemnly announced, "You need to come into the alley with me...now." I thought with dread that he must have found a body. Then he said, "Bring your camera."
"You want me to photograph a dead person!?" I squealed. He ignored me.
Lantana with its green berries
I anxiously followed him into the alley with my camera clenched in my hands, between myself and certain danger. Then I saw them, flowers growing in wild profusion all around us. The fresh fragrance of the flowers, new grass and moist earth was intoxicating. My camera clicked away at the magical scene.
Alleys have a different feel for me now. Some wild things are wonderful.
Bougainvillea
Thanks to the gardeners at Buchanan's Native Plants in Houston Heights for identifying the Pink Lantana for us.
