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Tag Archives: Flowers
A New Strain: “Last Gasp” Morning Glories!
When my gardening neighbor planted the vines on the other side of the trellis shared by our patios, I was delighted. The quickly climbing green leaves made no distinction between thine and mine. They clambered through the lattice to my side as … Continue reading
Posted in Autumn, Buddha, Challenge, Color, Flowers, Nature, Pioneer Valley
Tagged Expectations, Flowers, Gardens, Morning glories, New England
10 Comments
TODAY’S PORTRAIT: Flowers of War and Peace
Who would have thought that this dreamy camellia would rouse thoughts of war and peace for me? Her photo is only one among the many I snapped at the Spring Bulb Show at Mount Holyoke, and — I would have … Continue reading
Posted in Memory, Personal Essay
Tagged Civil War, Flowers, Gone with the Wind, Memories, Movies, Orchids, War and Peace
14 Comments
TODAY’S PORTRAIT: violet
In contrast to cheery Johnny Jump-ups and bold-faced pansies, there’s an introverted branch of the Violaceae family. Violets, true violets, are modest and demure. They shelter underneath their heart-shaped leaves, and even great masses of them never seem to call attention to themselves. Unless … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Life and Death, Mindfulness, Nature, Personal Essay, Poetry, Quotes, Wisdom
Tagged Beauty, Death, Elegies, Flowers, Modesty, Poetry, Violets, Wordsworth
10 Comments
TODAY’S PORTRAIT: COLUMBINE
Here she is, in all her coltish, awkward, long-legged innocence and beauty, young Aquilegia Chrysanthra, better known to us as COLUMBINE: What she calls to mind for me are those enchanting creatures found in the title of Marcel Proust’s second volume, A … Continue reading
Promiscuously, in a Vase
Why have I been sequestered so long, away from my blogs (and yours)? I’ve been preparing to moderate a seminar on the Cultural Arts of Japan in our local Learning in Retirement program. I’m sure that in a previous life … Continue reading
Happy Christmas to All!
It seems paradoxical that the quintessential Christmas plant comes to North America from the tropics. Yes, the poinsettia’s heat and vivid color originate in Mexico. The cheerful flowers so delighted Joel Roberts Poinsett, first United States Minister to Mexico, that he … Continue reading
A Glimmer of Hope (3): NATURE
Last week, the bombing of the Boston Marathon, another “little death” of innocence, plunged me into despair. Very slowly I began seeking, and finding, some glimmers of hope in an inner darkness: first came music, next came sharing of food, … Continue reading
Kwitcherbellyakin —
I’m not really talking to you! I’m talking to myself, in another sort-of New Year’s resolution. Not a formal resolution, because I never find those work for me. More of an intention, really. In this case, an intention to tone … Continue reading
MUM’S THE WORD FOR THIS FLOWER SHOW
This austere polished ramp leads down to the greenhouses at Smith College. Why were we here? Only because we had guests, and I was fresh out of ideas of what to do with them, and the Chrysanthemum show was on. … Continue reading
Posted in Autumn, Death, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Pioneer Valley
Tagged Beauty, Chrysanthemums, Flowers, Saints, Symbolism
26 Comments
The Jewel in the Lotus —
Anyone who’s flirted even mildly with Tibetan Buddhism knows this mantra for chanting: Om mani padme hum. What does it mean? “Hail, The Jewel is in the Lotus.” But what does that mean? Even though I’ve chanted it myself (although I am … Continue reading
Posted in Art, Buddha, Etcetera, Flowers, Japan, Pioneer Valley, Wisdom, Wonderings, Zen
Tagged Art, Buddhism, Flowers, Japan, Lotus
39 Comments
Touch2Touch 