This evening, while walking the puppies, I was assailed by the incredibly sweet and memorable fragrance of the jasmine flower. Under any circumstances I would have breathed that scent in with great gusto but this evening the fragrance from the jasmine took me back instantly to evening spring classes in college. Oh my! I was immediately transported to that time and place and let's just say that being there was a good thing. Those grad school days go down as some of the best in my life so the jasmine fragrance was welcome. I wish I had a way to link you to that actual fragrance. I wish I could breathe it in right now and feel the contentment and excitement that was mine in my late 20's. But I don't know how to do that.
What I do know is that flowers are one of my personal wonders of the world. Flowers can draw me in not only with their fragrance but with their magical colors, bold statements, and, oddly enough, their simplicity. About ten years ago, I decided that having fresh flowers in my home was important to me and, in no way, a waste of money. I always have a bouquet from the yard or a bunch of flowers from Trader Joe's or the farmers' market. I want that fresh color, that glance of beauty in a world gone, quite often, quite ugly. I also find myself stopped in my tracks when out biking or walking, stopped by some piece of incredible beauty. I pull out my camera and take photos becasue I so desperately want to capture that beauty. My gift to you today is five of my favorite flower photos. I hope you love them as much as I do.
Gorgeous shots - but especially love the sunflower. _Love_
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah. The sunflower was from my brother Mark's garden. It comes with lots of tender connections.
DeleteMy personal favorite of these is the poppy...so intense, and self-seeds! I go for fragrance first in roses, lovely thought today...
ReplyDeleteThe poppy was from right here in town. I was captured by the intense color too. Do you know we now have a bank of roses all across the front of the property? You need to come and see the changes in the house since you last visited (24 years ago!)
DeleteLovely post and beautiful photos. I love sunflowers. They just seem to cheer me up whenever I see them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Denise. I love sunflowers too and often they are the flower of choice in the vase on the kitchen counter. We always have some in the garden during the summer.
DeleteThe photos are lovely. The other day we took a trip to the plant shop. I was obsessed with wanting to have an orchid. I bought a tiny one. I hope I can give it the care and nurturing it needs.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to know what jasmine smells like.
Orchids are so beautiful. I have several along the kitchen window. They really aren't that hard to nurture and they stay so elegant for several weeks.
DeleteDoes Jasmine not grow in your area? Many people have it in their yards here. It's fragrance is beautiful.
Thanks for the compliments about the photo - you who are the photo master!
Oh, how right you are about jasmine. Heavenly fragrance, beautiful flower. Thanks for the wonderful photos--you do have a fine knack for photography, and for painting!
ReplyDeleteXOXOXOXO Matthew! I have to come up this summer and take more photos of your flowers!
DeleteIf I were able to paint the way you can, my brain would require that I try to duplicate what you have on your blog today. Probably better that I stick to words. But seven times thank-you.
ReplyDeleteAnd seven times back you are welcome. The sunflower is from your garden!
DeleteFantastic photos as always. I remember reading a profile of Kirstie Alley (many, many years ago) just after she had come out of rehab for addiction (cocaine, I believe) and she said in the interview that she had made herself a promise that each week she would spend the same amount on fresh flowers for her house as she used to spend on her addiction. That seemed like a very wise thing to "splurge" on.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! The beauty of flowers is such an in the moment thing. You have to be aware to grasp it and that's what I need to do more of: be aware.
DeleteWhy thank you, MM! I do like to take photos and then savor them. I used to NEVER spend money on flowers - it was a "waste" - but that was when I was young and raising children and everything seemed so serious, so damn important. No more.
ReplyDeleteI love having flowers in the house, too, and try to have some in the yard for that purpose. I buy bouquets too, from time to time. It's worth it, as you say.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful-- it's hard to pick a favorite, but the second one from the bottom spoke to me!
Yes, that second one from the bottom is so beautiful - it was right here in town. That's why I have to take walks when I can - feast my eyes on the flowers and forget the rest of the garbage!
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