First Impressions

     "They" say first impressions are important.  If so, I think Iten's Acres is in trouble.  If you were to pull into the acres and stop your car in preparation for a "tour," the "first impression" would not be overwhelming.  The duct-taped, broken-down mailbox isn't exactly a beauty--duct taped on a broken pole, the address hidden--you might be able to see a 5, sitting at a forty-five degree angle, immersed in tall grass.  Not exactly a "wow."
     If it had been raining at all, you would need to be careful stepping out of your car in order to avoid the mud puddle covering the driveway.  And the driveway itself looks like a cow path--minus any cow "evidence" to avoid stepping in though.  To the right is a large area of grass that has not been cut yet all spring!  It's too wet.  My mower would get stuck.  Looks like you've driven into a bog.  The grass is over your head.  Not very impressive.
     In fact, now that the trees are full, you might not be able to even see the house.  You might be tempted to turn around and leave.  There are some impressive trees--a large pine, a decent size corkscrew willow (it looks better in the winter when the snow covers its twists and turns), and, of course, the huge red maple that looks magnificent in the fall.  But in spring--really not all that impressive.
     But don't put the car in reverse.  Despite the "first impression" I promise that there is lots of beauty here to be seen.  And as someone has said, "Every walk is a new walk.  So walk slow."  The flower beds hold beauty from March to frost.  The wild areas the same.  The wild acres out back are about to explode into gorgeous.  Even the rock garden/rock pile, though its spring glory is over, will have beauty in it all summer and fall.  Right now it has adopted a host of wild daisies!  They look lovely surrounding the red leaves of the quince.  And soon the water lilies will be in bloom to enhance the pond in bright yellows and reds.  (Until then you can watch the flying flowers--black with a touch of brilliant red on their wings.  They will call you all kinds of blackbird names since they've begun to nest, but your self-esteem can take it.)
     I do have plans to improve the first impression.  Not a new mailbox; it would make it too easy to find me. But I may add a couple of hibiscus or peonies right at the turn.  Maybe a small bed of--what else--iris, with room for some annuals for the summer.  And maybe a wooden planter or two on the other side of the driveway.  But for now, not a very good first impression.  "They" would, no doubt, leave.  And "They" would miss out on the beautiful.  First impressions are overrated in my opinion anyway.  I'd rather make a good lasting impression, wouldn't you?