We put Ed Gulley’s Tin Man Head in the Dahlia garden several months ago. The garden grew so fast it swallowed up the Tin Man Head, and we dug it out today. I put it where it belongs, right in the center of my garden beds.

I can’t imagine what Ed Gulley, our late and much-loved farmer friend, would make of my flower photographer. Ed was a man’s man but was also a genuine creative who loved making his art before he got ill.  The world lost a genuine artist.

He and I understood that the other was a little crazy (or maybe a lot crazy), and we laughed about it.

All over the farm, Ed’s art is falling apart in some ways; the head and two or three sculptures remain intact and are out and on display.

I miss Ed; he was a wonderful friend to me and Maria. His Gulley bridge was washed away last week; we are determined to put it back together again. Thinking of you, Ed; it was too soon.

I hope you are somewhere driving the angels crazy with your ranting about milk prices and can see the Tin Man’s head. I don’t live in denial of death, I accept it as a part of life, not a tragedy or surprise. But it still hurts sometimes.

It’s a favorite of mine, and it’s right where it belongs. It needs to stay there.