a.k.a. V.J.

The peonies in our front yard are in full bloom. I get sentimental seeing peonies as they remind me of my late mother, who always enjoyed them. Their blossoming is also a welcome sign that summer has arrived.

I’m no botanist, but there are two things I know about peonies. The first is that, as pretty as they are, it’s best to avoid the temptation to cut a few flowers off the plant and bring them into the house. As Archer would say, do you want ants? Because that’s how you get ants. Peony blossoms are invariably crawling with the little pests.

The second thing I know about peonies is that, when at full bloom, they are prone to flop over onto the ground — especially in wet or windy weather. At the very point when the peony reaches its finest hour, it gets too full of itself and collapses from the weight of its own overweening vanity.

I can relate to that.