FLOWERS,FLOWERS, EVERYWHERE!

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN THE FLATHEAD VALLEY FOR THE SUMMER ARE THE FLOWERS. IT SEEMS EACH MONTH SOMETHING NEW IS BLOOMING! WHEN ONE FLOWER HAS RETIRED FOR THE SEASON, ANOTHER STEPS RIGHT UP TO TAKE ITS PLACE. IN FRONT OF OUR OFFICE/STORE ARE HUGE PEONY BUSHES. WHEN WE FIRST GOT HERE IN MAY, THEY WERE UGLY LITTLE STICKS-WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD BE LOVELY FLOWERS BY THE FIRST OF SUMMER-AND BOY WAS THAT CORRECT! SEVERAL SHADES OF PINK FROM PALE TO BOLD-THE BLOOMS START WHEN THE ANTS COME TO EAT THE STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT THE PLANTS PRODUCE. WHEN THE ANTS DO THEIR JOB-THE BLOOMS OPEN AND IT IS MAGNIFICENT! THE BLOOMS ARE NOW GONE-BUT SOMETHING ELSE WILL BLOOM IN THEIR PLACE BEFORE WE KNOW IT!