I will survive

Several weeks ago, I was cleaning the kitchen and a sports movie from the 80's came on TV. In a bar scene, one of the characters put a disco song on the jukebox. "I will Survive" is now stuck in my brain.

Every morning, I hum it when I walk the dog down the street. I sing it while I feed the fish and fill the bird feeders. I think of it often when I walk about my garden.

These roots from ironweed look formidable. This plant is never recommended for containers but I tried them in a large plastic pot for a few years. This plant is a survivor.

This penstemon planted itself beside between the concrete of the driveway and some composting leaf litter. I forgot about it this winter and swept up most of the dirt, but they hung on tenaciously. They will survive.

This winter, I covered Hosta 'albo-marginata' with a large stone, part of a mini-wall around my wildlflower bed. Today I noticed that the hosta pushed that stone out of the way. It will survive.

For many years, this woodland phlox was attacked regularly by deer. After hellebores were planted in front, the deer moved on. The phlox will survive.

These Virginia bluebells are growing through the WeedBlock that the landscaper installed under the river rock walkway. This year, they will bloom. And they will survive.

The jury is still out on Frances Williams, the hosta that my husband ran over with the van this week. Think she'll lay down and die?

Oh no not I.

I will survive.

Oh as long as I know how to love

I know I'll stay alive.

I got all my life to live

and I got all my love to give.

and I'll survive.

I will survive.