How do you pronounce peony? I say PEE-own-ee. A long-ago teacher friend called them pee-OWN-ees. However they are pronounced, they delight me.

That’s just one memory I have of peonies. I also remember my mom’s peony bushes on the south side of her house. Their blooming meant that summer was almost here and school was nearly over. I regret that I didn’t try to take some of her bushes.

I also won’t forget the peony bushes that Bob Resnik gave me — those are still in my back yard and I cut some flowers from them each year and inhale their delightful fragrance whenever I am nearby.

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