In “Day 1” of this project, I conveniently left out an important fact. During Ann’s claim to garden fame in the summer of 2012, she also successfully grew her first sunflower. As I have previously mentioned, her excitement was almost indescribable, but when the sunflowers came about, it was a sight to see.

I never really thought something as simple as a sunflower could cause such a reaction in someone, but I’m here to tell you I know better now.

Every morning those tomatoes and the sunflowers got watered. I could set my watch to her routine. And every night when I came home from the office, Ann would proudly explain how the sunflowers gained at least a half an inch that day. It was cute to see her so invested. What I didn’t realize is that the sunflowers would end up having a dual purpose, thus bringing about a happiness I hadn’t seen in her for some time.

Ann is exceptionally fond of birds. Robins, titmice, woodpeckers, crows, blue birds, cardinals, grackles, sparrows, chickadees, hawks, falcons, owls, take your pick… Ann has a ton of feeders and you can catch her on any warm, dry day, out back, watching away. We even got her a pair of binoculars and a book chock-full of bird information so that she can loosely play the role of an ornithologist.

With Ann’s birds comes the expense of bird food. Yes, there is a cost, as she is always drawn to a very specific brand and type of bird food. Actually the type of food you put out can truly dictate which birds show up at your feeders. Who knew?!

Anyway, when her sunflowers were done doing what they do best, Ann would go out and cut the top of the stems and place the flowers on our deck railings to dry. After they would dry, she’d take the seeds and methodically sprinkle them about. And as you would guess, she’d sit back with her binoculars and wait, oh so patiently, for the first of her dinner guests to arrive.

So in honor of every sunflower that has grown alongside my house, due to the love and care Ann has shared since the summer of 2012, I present this sunflower. Every time I see a sunflower now, I feel her anticipation of another day filled with the magic only a bird can deliver. I see the love those days filled her heart with and most importantly, I see her, just as unconditionally as I did when I first laid eyes on her… almost eighteen years ago.

Medium: Watercolors
Size: 6 x 4 (inches)
Materials: 90lb Cold Press Paper
Frame: Mini Wooden Shadow Box with Glass (4 5/8"W x 6 5/8"T x 1.25"D)
Completed: Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Artist: Adam Kiger
Represented By: Park View Gallery
Artist's Website: www.adamkiger.com

Who is Ann and what is 31 flavors of love?!