Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Wildflower Gifts


spring wildflowers 2014
"The earth has music for those who listen." --George Santayana

My favorite wildflower is the violet. There's just something about this shy little beauty that sings a quiet song to me. It reminds me of childhood and Mom and small gifts of grace. And I didn't have to go far to capture a picture of this cluster--they are growing right in my front yard.

In this busy week (don't we all have those?), I'm squeezing in writing as best I can but I'm also pausing to listen to the music that spring's beauty plays. And seeking inspiration as I go. A few gems:

"Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful." --Jim Carrey

When you  have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other." --Chinese Proverb

"Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it." --Mark Twain

"The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks." --Tennessee Williams

What is your favorite wildflower, and why? How does it inspire you, stir you, give you pause to listen?

p.s. Having trouble stretching time to include writing? A good article is found here: "How to Keep Your Writing in Your Over-the-Top Busy Life."
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7 comments:

  1. I love the tiger lilies I see blooming along Ohio roads in summer. My dad had some on his property, so they make me think of him. We have lupines, too, which remind me of Barbara Cooney's picture book Miss Rumphius. I believe it's based on a true story about a woman who spread those seeds to bring beauty to the world. I guess writing is kind of like that. Once "planted," the written word can go anywhere.

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  2. Your analogy of writing to planted seeds is super, Peggy--thanks for sharing :-)

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  3. Wildflowers are unexpected gifts. When walking my dog this time of year, there's new wildflowers somewhere each day along the wooded path we walk. Beautiful thoughts here, Kendra. Thank you for sharing them. Your second and third sentences struck me especially in all the right places.

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  4. We don't have native violets where we live, I don't think--but I love them so much that I have a cultivated variety right outside my front door. I love the scent as I step outside.

    There are so many wildflowers in our area, it's hard to pick a favorite--California poppy, for the way they all open at the same time each morning--like a giant blink?

    No, I think my favorite is bachelor buttons. I love the blue color and the notched edges. I also like their name.

    Lovely post, Kenda.

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  5. Barbara, so glad you enjoyed. Thanks for stopping by :-)

    Cathy, I like how you describe the poppy--a wink, great imagery. Btw, the last few times I've dropped in at your place, my comments haven't registered :-) maybe it has something to with your process of changing over your blog?

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  6. Those quotes are so lovely! My favorite flower is the lily-of-the-valley. They grew naturally in my yard growing up, and my mom used to help me pick some from the roots, wrap the bottoms in foil, and take them to my elementary teachers every year.

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  7. Jess, what a neat memory--taking lilies-of-the valley to your teachers :-) They, too, are beautiful little flowers. I hope you can plant some in your yard so your daughters can do the same when they are old enough. Thanks for dropping by!

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