A glimpse of a very determined plant this morning, outside the Stanardsville, Va., Post Office brought back memories from long long ago.

Back then my husband and I would go to our absolute favorite restaurant at least once a week, and often twice a week.

The restaurant, run by Kip Laramie, The Sante Fe Cafe, in Rosslyn, Arlington County, Virginia.

Kip had a wonderful staff and they all treated us like family.

A reflection of that special treatment, note the second item on the list of specials. My husband is Bill, and he is from Hobbs, New Mexico. Pretty special.

But let’s get back to that memory of another determined plant.

Rosslyn is a neighborhood of apartment buildings and stores. Think “city” atmosphere. We usually parked a block away and on that day back then as we walked to the restaurant, I spotted a tomato plant determined to grow in a crack in the sidewalk at the base of a stop sign. How strange! So determined to grow, it had even bloomed, and a tomato had magically appeared on the plant.

And now today I spotted this pertinacious Zinnia plant so intent on surviving that it had even developed a bloom. Not a perfect bloom but one that represents resolve. A reminder to bloom where you’re planted.