POST 13/2026 GOSHEN INDIANA . . . Our potted plants wilted, seemingly dead. Will they come back? My fault. I overdid it with too much of a good thing.

One morning the geraniums and gerbera daisies simply hung their heads, withered. The hanging fern turned some fronds brown. I hung my head, flabbergasted. Our summer potted plants shorn of glory.

I’ve been tending flowerpots and beds and window boxes for a long time; even at the leading hotel in Cologne, Germany while on a summer student cultural work exchange. Never had this happened before. My best intentions thwarted.

The mistake I made was to water them too often with the one teaspoon of vinegar to a gallon of water routine.

If one watering works a little wonder, why not make it continuous? Shame. Woe is me. From vibrant blooms to collapsed plants, all in the space of 24 hours. I’m chagrined, annoyed, disappointed, embarrassed. Embarrassed not only because we are surrounded by avid gardeners, some of whom are Master Gardeners, but I take pride in tending and observing flowers.

What to do besides confessing my folly? I’ve cut the flowers back in seven pots and trimmed the fern, hoping a few will revive. Please. I’m sorry. Come back.

That’s about all the sentiment I can muster at the moment. I don’t need sympathy or a word of excuse. I’ll get by with lesson learned. Oh mercy, blossom again, ye woe-betided annuals.

Flowerpots before the collapse

Below are two recent photos of the flowerpots as they appeared–until one day last week. I patiently wait for even a small miracle of new growth.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair

We attended on Senior Day. One person told us he went on Kids’ Day with two of his grandchildren. It was probably the last time he would do the fast, gyrating rides, he told them.

Greencroft Goshen campus

Walkabout

I’ve been walking less these days, partly because of a broken little toe (healing well) and partly because of the hot, humid weather, and some days of poor air quality related to the wildfires in Canada. Still, today (Monday, August 3) we walked more than four miles. One afternoon I took needle and thread in hand and added stiches to secure these iron-on patches to my backpack. Sowed the South West Coast Path patch onto Marty’s backpack, too.

Neighborhood

On Sunday our neighborhood dedicated a gazebo on the Greencroft Goshen campus. Finishing touches to come. Homes in Whispering Pines Court have been built over about six years. The final construction should be finished in early 2027. There are more than 100 residents already here.

Memorial Garden

Hydrangeas grace the Memorial Garden at College Mennonite Church where we are members. Snapped this photo today after a Sojourners Sunday school class curriculum committee meeting.

Bloom where you’re planted; drink good water.

-John