Black Saturday reminders are still in the garden

It’s now the season for my cherry to be in full blossom – well, it would be in full blossom if the top leaves weren’t still there, charred and angry-looking. I’ve been waiting for them to drop, but I won’t think they will. It’s like they’re soldered to the branch.

Here’s an azalea that I thought was gone, dead. I was about to dig it up. Now its sprouting again and even though it still looks pretty ugly, my hand’s been stayed. I want to give the bugger a chance.