It’s impossible for something as large as a sunflower to sneak up on you.

So I really can’t say I was surprised when the sunflowers in our community garden burst into bloom this week. With the summer’s plentiful rain, they surged out of the soil and shot up into the air. Their study green stalks soon supported buds so promising large.

Now they stand like a line of soldiers at the back of the garden, guarding the vegetables and herbs as they grow and offer up their bounty.

Their hyper-cheerfulness delights me whenever I encounter them. And since they are right across the street, I enjoy a blast of sunshine many times each day.

Thank you, Mother Nature!