One Sunday morningat the Farmers Market, in the Spring of 2009, "the City" (I know not how these men were associated with the bueaucracy...) was giving away free "trees" which were, in fact, twigs smaller in circumference than the (then) 18 month-old GrandGirl's little finger and not quite as tall as her delightful person. (As it happens, she was with me that morning for instant measurement!) However, free is always good and I figured it could be Girl's Tree so we chose a Dogwood.

We tramped around my little front yard and got Girl's Dad to dig us a hole in juuuuust the riiiight spot, sort of in the front corner, and just off center enough to be interesting....near the driveway but not so close as be annoying when it gets grown up. (We're talkin' about a yard that, on a good day might measure 15x20!) Girl's father feigned patience with the entire ordeal.

During the summer, GrandBoy and I watered and shaded and guarded it from crazed lawnmowers. (Once the concept of "Her" tree was clarified and sharing was agreed upon all around, that is.)

So, Winter 2009-10 came and brought with it snow. And more snow. And still more snow. Between the snow removed from the public sidewalk out front, from my own sidewalk and porch and from my driveway, there was a mountain that may have reached 9 feet high sitting right on top of Dogwood.

When the snow (finally!) melted all away, there was no sign of the Dogwood. Ever hopeful, we left it's spot mulched and open, in case it decided to forgive and forget.

Branches appeared straight out of the ground! Currently, it's sort of a little mound of greenery. Not quite a bush, really. GrandGirl hid a couple of her Brother and Cousin's Batmen in the underbrush. I'm leaning toward very loosely braiding the branches and staking the whole thing upright.

Wow. That's a miracle. But check with an arborist on what to do next, I think. -- Susan

Eve, I love it!