I severed the thick stalk of the amazing sunflower. Everything that once pulsed is now chilly, limp and lifeless so I figured it was time because I’d get to look at it a lot more in my house over coffee, while kissing my animals or with my man at dinner.

A twitchy squirrel took down one of the blooming three…my theory still stands. I cut about a foot down and there were seven buds. If I had only planted sooner. Next year.