Peonies

I love peonies. I love the huge exuberant heads of them, I love the heady scent, and I love the way the deciduous ones die back each winter to be reborn in the spring.
I bought a special peony for my birthday a few years back but out of fear of losing it to the cold Michigan winter, I planted it too deeply, and it never bloomed.
This spring, as soon as the ground was workable, I skimmed off a layer of dirt to what I HOPE is the right level for the root system. I certainly hope it blooms this year.
On a similar front, recently I made the decision to seriously pursue a career as a writer. It has involved scratching off a few layers of my own protection.
Here's hoping the blooms are worththe risk.