How can it? It got only worse. With all those colors, hues, shapes, faces, and smiles all becoming invisible.

As the construction of the new house was in progress, the entire family had decided we would engage a landscape specialist to design the garden both on the ground and the open balcony on the first floor. All of us loved gardens. The architect had taken responsibility for the landscaping work. It so happened that the person who was engaged was already known to us. All along the compound, space was reserved for all types of plants. In the front, leaving space for a car to enter, arches were made on both sides, on the other side of which was reserved for plants and trees.

Similarly, on the balcony, all along the outer walls, space was reserved for plants with arrangements for draining excess or storm water. The middle portion was for Korean grass. We were to leave for the U.S. to tend to our newborn second grandson in a month’s time after occupying the house. Some grown plants of flowers and vegetables were planted. So too was the Korean grass. And our favorite sapota and guava trees—too early to yield though. The lemon tree was planted a little later as my wife was missing this.

We had contracted the landscaper for maintenance. It proved too expensive, and my wife felt she was good enough to manage on her own with the help of a gardener whom we knew, and he was called on and off to help us.

With more funds to spare, my wife kept the garden and plants adequately fed with natural fertilizers, replacement of soil, and watering.

The Korean grass had to be removed. Both the rooms on the upper floor have French windows. It was our sons’ idea that this patch of green and the flowers and vegetable plants should be visible from the bedrooms. But the Korean grass needed a lot of maintenance—regular mowing, disposing of the cut grass, and the mess it created on the house and on the steps. This area also saw plants now in pots. It also gave an opportunity to plant creepers. When you eat vegetables grown in your own garden, the taste is even more special, delicious, and full of energy.

And remember, there was no way I could help with gardening. Why gardening? I could not even enjoy its presence.

Continued in 233. Lost Kaleidoscope - Part 4