I’ve been enjoying the flowers in my garden. But this week the summer heat took out the irises. The potted geraniums began to dry and die, followed by the petunias.  I’ve moved them out of the sun and we’ll see how they do.  The bittersweet loss was the blooming roses at the edge of the garden. I was sitting on the porch one morning, when a stray deer sauntered up the driveway. I was watching for her to reappear after she passed the shed, but she didn’t. I investigated and found her eating my roses.

I was sorry to startle her but happy that she moved away from the rosebush. She slowly wandered to the back of the yard and laid down for a nap under the shade trees. About a half hour later, she made her way to the driveaway again, but stopped for some more roses before leaving. I moved to stand across from her and challenged her with my gaze. She stopped and began to move away. But just when she was almost out of sight, she backed up and took one more bite. Then she lifted her head, looked at me, and left.

I don’t know whether to be angry she ate my roses, or happy that I had something for her to feed on. I’m not sure if in that last stare she was thanking me or informing me that I don’t control her. In the end, it doesn’t matter. I guess we’ll all get along, and there are plenty more roses to share.