With throbbing drums and brassy fanfare, the tree peonies have splashed into the garden. Their festive color, flouncy heads, and fragrance of yesterday’s roses grab my attention with a smile.

Their breathless invitation– “Come with me. We’ll have a good time.” –sets my imagination to working.

For a shy person like me, such invitations always make me hesitate. And then, alas, my chance has slipped by.