Tag: flowers

What a difference some kindness makes

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You have some wildflowers in the lobby!

I do?

Yes you do!

A phone call from my neighbor downstairs on Thursday pulled me out of a dark cloud…. It’s not my birthday. It is certainly not Mother’s Day. Why on earth would there be flowers in the lobby for me?

I should have known…

There they were, arranged in a bright yellow cup. Alongside an envelope with my name written in familiar handwriting – by my guardian angel of comfort from the building across from ours. Inside…a note of thanks and support “for all you do for our community”…(as mentioned in previous posts, I work on my condo board). With an uncanny sense of timing over the past year and a half, she has surprised me with homemade applesauce, gluten free muffins and treats. And once before…flowers like these…left outside my door.

Her note and thoughtfulness unexpectedly brought me to tears…of gratitude…it was such a stark contrast to my day to day dealings.

She and I don’t know each other well, but she is aware of what goes on. And most of all she is kind. Once again it made all the difference.

We need more people like her in this world.

SixWordSaturday

Mother’s Day – What I See

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Mother’s Day is odd at this stage in my life. I think of my two adult children…my 2 adventures in motherhood. They live 500 miles away, so an in-person celebration rarely happens…pandemic or no pandemic. A quiet day at home with phone calls will be what I look forward to. Having children of my own made this a holiday to enjoy. Now it’s a long distance joy.

These beautiful flowers arrived from my daughter and her family with a sweet message of love and gratitude. Their lovely card arrived yesterday. I am very happy with that…along with memories of so many Mother’s Days gone by. I can see in my mind’s eye all the hugs, handmade cards, thoughtful gifts, breakfast in bed (complete with a printed menu one year), traditional photos in front of the forsythia (if it was blooming!) in the side yard. My in-laws, who only lived 30 minutes away, would come over to share in the celebration. “Here’s your Mother’s Day!” my mother-in-law once announced upon arrival…handing me a gorgeous hanging fuchsia plant to display on our deck. I always got a kick out of her – she got right to the point. I smile thinking back on it.

I noticed this flower arrangement includes my favorite “fun flowers” – snapdragons! Even now, I just can’t resist pinching one and seeing it “talk.” Smiles there too.

Happy Mother’s Day!

One Word Sunday: See or Sea
Cee’s Flower of the Day

Wanna Be Square

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Becky B’s Squares Challenge: PastSquares
Cee’s Flower of the Day

This lively group of 10 tulips really wanted to be featured during the April 2021 bright squares challenge, but didn’t make the cut once they completely opened up.

In hindsight, it is obvious they would have been kinda perfect for past squares themes…such as flowers or circles or top or perspectives (who looks at tulips from above?). This month it’s way past time for their turn.

It’s All About the Light

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Len’s Artists Challenge #162: It’s All About the Light

This week the Lens-Artists team invites you to join us in exploring the magic of light…your challenge is to share images that illustrate the power of light ….

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Walk in the woods…catching the light

In my mind, the magic of light hides in shadows and the secrets they reveal. I love the surprise. I’m always on a treasure hunt…discovering the hidden lines and shapes of nature’s artistry.

It can be anywhere…a photo taken indoors near a sunlit window…crouching down on the floor…whatever it takes…or downtown, walking along a chain link fence…at just the right time of day…waiting for the clouds to part for the sun.

Sunlit Tulips

The shoreline at the beach…end of day in November…light and color merge in spectacular fashion…

Hampton Beach, NH

However…perhaps nothing takes the place of well placed natural light streaming through a window…at the perfect moment…capturing a 5 year old’s uninhibited profile of joy….

It is indeed…all about the light.

5 years old

Macro Monday: Fallen Bud

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During a photo shoot yesterday…with my hibiscus plant…I was initially focused (no pun intended) on the bright yellow flowers that had just opened up. I have discovered that they don’t last long. Each bloom makes an appearance for only a day or two. I’ve only been in charge of this plant for a week (it was a gift) and found out the hard way…thinking oh that’s so pretty in the afternoon light, I’ll take a picture tomorrow. By the next day, the bloom would be folded inward – closed for the season.

However, yesterday afternoon I acted in the moment. The sunlight hit the flowers on display as I rotated and moved the pot off the shelf chasing the light in the living room. When I put the plant back, I glanced down and noticed a single bud that never made it to the blossom stage (or was long past it, I have no idea what went on before I received Ms. H). It had fallen off the plant and was resting on the shelf, alone and forgotten. I couldn’t look away. So, before the glories of yellow hibiscus flowers appear on Macro Monday, behold the lonely former or almost-a-bud.

Macro Monday: One Week Later

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I am happy to report that last week’s Macro Monday bud is in bloom! Miracles do happen. At least I like to think they do…with the help of plant food, pruning and many words of encouragement. So, yep, I’m talking to my plants. Sigh.

Totally worth it.

Witness my discovery this morning – alongside another bud ready to join in the action…

The sky is so blue I couldn’t resist a view from below in front of the window…

…Happy Monday everyone!