The Story of a Gardener

Facing Hunger in Manhattan, Kansas

I’m addicted.

Addicted to daylilies.

I’m in three daylily clubs.

One in Salina, Topeka, and Manhattan.

Have you ever heard of ditch lilies?

They are orange and yellow, so beautiful.

Gardening has been my everything.

My hobby, my job, and my love.

Gardening has taken me to many places.

From Waterloo, Iowa, to Southern Minnesota.

I also spent time in the Navy.

Traveled all the way to Scotland.

Now I’m in a mobile home park.

I garden in five other yards.

My heart attack forced me to retire.

Had a double-bypass a few years after.

This program has really saved my life.

I still owe $100,000 for my surgery.

I run out of money by the fifth of the month.

Anything I can get here is great, a luxury.

I go to Wal-Mart a lot.

Take my time looking at their plants.

My friend from the daylily club works there.

She’s my sunshine.

My daylily club will have a sale at the mall.

We bring flowers to the sale.

Can you come by in July, or maybe September?

I’d love to show you.

As told to Lori Kniffin

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