Check out those hollyhocks!

 I found the photo the other day—Emma was sorting through a pile of papers, and there it was, tucked between an old seed catalog and a card from England. I recognized it right away.

The hollyhocks were huge that year. Towering. Proud. Like floral skyscrapers. Emma looked so happy in the picture—mud on her gloves, her sun hat crooked, and the biggest grin on her face. That was the summer she started gardening for her dentist. (Yes, her dentist. Don’t ask. Humans are complicated.)

In the background, you could see our mailman, walking by with his usual easy stride. He always greeted us by name—me, Emma, even Chewy when he was still around. That day, he told us a package was coming from England. I thought maybe it was sausage. It wasn’t. But still—he was nice about it.

I remember the weather too. It was one of those cloudy, snuggly mornings, the kind where everything feels soft and slow. Chewy, Jeremiah, and I had all piled into the cozy corner of the couch, blankets and legs tangled, tails twitching as we dozed.

We weren’t doing anything special. Just being together.

The smell of dirt and mail.
The sound of Emma laughing when a bee landed on her hat.
The way the breeze ruffled Chewy’s ears.

It was ordinary. It was perfect.
And every time I see those hollyhocks now, I remember.

Woof (with a sigh),– Peanut 🐾