After we came back from Sequoia & King’s Canyon the second day, we decided to stop at We Three Bakery again for dinner. Three Rivers has limited dinner options and we’d had a decent meal there two nights before. The weather was beautiful, so we decided to sit outside this time. We chose a picnic table next to a raised flower bed. Among the flowers was a newly planted yellow mum.

We hadn’t been seated for long before my dad pointed at the flower. “Look at it move.” Sure enough, it was. But not swaying like it would in a breeze. Jerky movements. We laughed at the dancing flower. It brought us much enjoyment. At one point, my mom got up to take a closer look. She’s a brave woman. Anyway, she noticed a creature in there munching on the plant. We could hear it enjoying it’s supper.

My dad told the waitress who didn’t believe him at first, I’m sure. Then she saw it move! She laughed at blamed it on the gophers. Honestly, it was hilarious. Throughout the entire meal, that flower danced. Little by little, it became smaller and smaller.

My dad and Doug went inside to pay the bill. Suddenly, we women noticed the plant disappear. As in gone. As in, the gopher tugged what remained into its hole for a midnight snack. Oh. My. Goodness. Our sides ached from laughing. What a memory we made.

Though I’ll never be able to plant a yellow mum ever again.