WISTERIA SEASON

My son Alex and I were driving down the road when I noticed a line of trees draped in blooming wisteria vines.

“Oh… isn’t that beautiful!” I said as I pointed to the clusters of purple flowers covering dozens and dozens of pine trees along the side of the road. “Quick! Roll down your window. I wonder if we can smell them from here.”

When I didn’t see anyone behind us I slowed down a bit as Alex rolled down his window. “There it is!” I cried as I could smell their heavy scent.

I inhaled deeply again. “That brings me right back to my childhood.” I looked over at Alex. “And your childhood, too.” I looked in the mirror as they slowly disappeared from sight. “I used to stand under our wisteria arbor every spring fascinated with the delicate flowers that reminded me of a cluster of grapes.” I sighed at the memory. “Of course you had to swat a few bees out of your way as you stood there.” I shrugged my shoulders. “But that was the price you paid for being out there when they were in bloom.” I looked over at Alex. “What about you? Do you remember standing under the arbor smelling them?”

Alex shook his head. “I remember them but it was more of a smell that I associated with school coming to an end and wanting to be outside playing with my friends.” He began to laugh. “I don’t remember just standing there smelling them.”

I had to laugh myself. “That’s true. You and your friends were pretty busy just running around the yard. I guess thinking a bunch of little boys would be standing there smelling flowers would seem a little odd.”

“But those pine trees back there were completely covered in them!” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “I never realized wisteria was so invasive.”

“It’s a pretty fast growing vine.”

“How come ours didn’t do that?”

“Because your Dad was out there trimming them all the time.” I sighed. “That’s one of the reasons he doesn’t want me to get one for this house.”

“Hey, I don’t blame him!” Alex shook his head. “That was crazy how they took over those trees.”

“Yeah. Eventually their vines will kill the tree.”

“Well, I like the woods in our backyard.” Alex looked over at me and patted me on the arm. “Sorry, but I’m with Dad on this one.”

“I get it.” I sighed again as I pulled into our neighborhood and saw another wisteria vine covering some trees along the side of the road. “I’ll just have to enjoy wisteria season a new way!” I pulled over, left the car running and opened my door.

“What are you doing?” Alex asked.

“I’m going to snap off a few of the flowers and bring them home.”

“Are you serious?” Alex looked around to see if anyone was looking.

“It’s an empty lot.” I said as I stepped out of the car. “It’s not like I’m going into someone’s yard.”

I trotted over to the low hanging flowers and snapped a few off and trotted back to the car.

“Here hold these.” I handed the flowers to Alex. “Be careful they’re delicate.”

Alex sighed as he gently held the flowers in his open palms. “Why can’t you do these things when I’m not in the car?”

I looked over and smiled. “Where would the fun be in that?”