March 2009

Download the FULL article as a

Click to enlarge

Irene and Floyd

The 1999 hurricanes Irene and Floyd left North Carolina water-soaked and flooded. A massive double-trunked wild cherry tree that had to be removed from my side yard left me with a 6-foot-tall stump.

Inspiration struck! I placed an old face-painted pot on one flat surface and a clay jack-o-lantern on the other. Before “Irene” could say “I am a flower pot,” “Floyd” was in love. I dressed them as a couple and changed their looks seasonally.

Eventually Floyd lost his hands and Irene popped her buttons, but the lovers stood as garden art until November 2007. Then, Floyd’s head rolled off and Irene had to go on alone. She is still in my yard with her wacky smile as tacky garden art, and she wishes you well.

Betty Williams, Mt. Olive, Tri-County EMC