It was a fine late spring day in Stella’s neck of the woods. In fact, it had been a week of gorgeous days and Mrs. McCartney next door promised that summer was hot on spring’s heels. Stella had just purchased a new patio set to go with her new home and was setting it up, when she noticed how bare and sad her little yard looked.

The grass was an unhappy shade of yellow and the beds that should be overflowing with blossoms were weed filled, but otherwise missing their intended occupants. The only bright spot was the small tree full of beautiful pink flowers and that looked out of place as an overdressed party guest.

Stella sighed as she stepped off her patio onto the stiff dead grass. How had she overlooked all this neglect when she decided to buy her home? Stella was a meticulous person who took pride in always having herself and her surroundings look nice. This yard just would not do.

Since her most recent large purchase, her finances were tighter than before and, although she wasn’t starving, her savings were severely depleted and she didn’t have a lot of extra money. That took hiring a landscaper out of the picture. “Oh, lord,” she muttered to herself as she headed toward the front yard.

Stella was still agonizing when she noticed her neighbor, Mrs. McCarthey looking at her. Concern caused the old lady’s forehead to crinkle as she asked, “Honey? Is everything okay?”

“Oh, hi Mrs. McCarthey,” Stella said, “I just had the bad luck of looking at my yard. I don’t know how to fix it. I’m not a gardener and I can’t afford one.” Stella looked down at her feet, ashamed.

Mrs. McCarthey chuckled as she walked closer to her young neighbor. Stella’s head was still down, chestnut hair obscuring her green eyes. “Oh, honey, neither can I. You’ll just have to get the proper tools and do it yourself.”

“I don’t know how,” the younger woman replied miserably.

“Come on, I’ve just made mint iced tea. I’ll tell you how,” the older woman took Stella’s hand and led her into the paradise of her own, well tended yard.

Stella gasped when passed through the fence to the back of her neighbor’s house. The lawn was a lush green and flowers of all colors, shapes and sizes abounded from every available space.