While at the Hamilton Gardens the other day the poppies were a bit of a disappointment as they were either two old and weather beaten or not quite out yet.. though I did like this group of three.. I can remember picking poppies as a young girl and bringing them inside for the vase and my Mother showing me how to singe the hair of the stems of the poppy and it was supposed to prolong the life of the flower.. don't know weather it worked or not, but it was a job I loved to do..
