Read by Matilda Longbottom

LLike most enthusiastic gardeners, I cherish every aspect of my garden. From selecting and planting each green friend with care to watching them flourish, gardening is my sanctuary. Among all my beloved plants, the old-fashioned hollyhocks hold a special place in my heart.

In the days before video games and computers, when outdoor play reigned supreme, my sisters and I found joy in the simplest of pleasures. Introduced by Grandma one Summer, the hollyhocks became our cherished playmates, fondly known as ‘The Dancing Ladies.’

Whenever water flowed down the neighborhood gutters, we eagerly gathered three of the largest hollyhock blooms from the garden. With skirts twirling, we’d set our floral companions afloat, racing them down the block as if they were elegant dancers in a grand ballroom. The goal? To reach the end of the block before our floral friends did, plucking them from the water’s grasp before they disappeared into the drain.

Though the days of sidewalk dances are long gone, the memories linger, blossoming anew each year with the return of the hollyhocks. As I watch them bloom, I can’t help but smile, reminiscing about the joy of sisterhood and the magic of dancing with the ladies. ❖

About the Author: Ellen E. Sampson is a passionate gardener and writer based in Sacramento, California. With a deep love for nature instilled by her family, she finds inspiration in the beauty of the natural world and the simple joys of life. When she’s not in the garden, Ellen can be found exploring new trails or crafting stories that celebrate the wonders of the outdoors.