You'll notice I didn't title my post The Day My Ugly Turned Pretty. This isn't about pretty... at this point though, interesting will suffice.
We all have them, I think. The frustrating spots in our gardens that just don't ever look the way we envision them looking. I plant with the expectation that this new plant will be
the plant that will finally adapt to the treacherous spot I scathingly refer to as the cemetery. Nothing thrives here for various reasons ... too shady then a long, scorching blast of late day sun, too dry, too near the fence where our dog likes to gossip with the wildlife {read trample whatever is planted} ... yada yada.
But oh, how my recent trip to Warrenton, Texas, changed all that.
Antique Weekend happens not too far from Austin ... half way between here and Houston off Hwy 290. Twice a year treasure seekers scour hundreds of booths searching for the perfect finds.
At the booth of a favorite vendor who is sadly retiring from the show, I discovered this most fascinating of treasures. A mask of some sort that makes the most ugly of cemetery corners into the most interesting of corners.
He sits atop an antique ladder, also found in Warrenton. Together the two pieces give the height, texture, color and interest I've been searching for. And the best part was that it wasn't a planned experience ... completely serendipitous! The ladder was meant for another purpose and the mask, well, the mask was a total impulse buy. I knew I'd find a place for him in my garden.
He now sits gazing across the garden adding tons of personality and character. He is seen from the kitchen window giving me a whimsical, half grin looking somewhat like he knows my secret. The secret of how a chance encounter at an antique booth far, far away turned my ugly into awesome.
