I love this time of year where we get to play with Cee’sFlower of the Day. For the last week it has been rainy and muggy – getting close to summer. But the weatherman told us today it would not rain…he was mistaken…it rain most of the day and my iris bloom opened this morning and got pretty beaten up by the rain. I took its picture anyway. Hopefully the two other buds will not have to fight the elements.
As we enjoy the beauty of flowers, remember they are a living thing. And all living things need kindness to help them through this life.
There are some flowers that are despised as pests and weeds but yet the plants themselves are beneficial. Cee’sFlower of the Day gives us a chance to highlight flowers and weeds alike so today I give you the dreaded dandelion.
The dandelion is considered a horrid weed as it spread everywhere. But how many of us as kids blew their seeds and watch them fly in the wind. In reality, the dandelion is a very nutritious plant sporting good amounts of Vitamins A, C, K, E, B, Folate, plus minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. My bet is that if you buy the spring mix salad greens at the grocery store, there are probably some cultivated dandelion greens in there. I like the spring mix greens myself but I don’t like the dandelion flowers – they pop up like rabbits, everywhere. Rabbits however love dandelion greens as well.
Who Knew…right??
And as always, I give you a quick reminder to be kind. Scatter it as you go.
On my day off it decides to rain, again, which delays my tasks scheduled for the day. So Instead, I write cheesy poetry and give you pictures of rain.
View of Rain
Some say it’s sad, the falling of the rain
Reflecting misery of remembered pain
Flowers see joy as the rain gently falls
Gathering on leaves to form little balls
This is a day of much dampness and wet
My planting schedule has yet to be met
Tomorrow with hope the sun may shine
Planting my flowers, a joy of mine
All forms of weather give us things to think about and tasks to either do or sit and watch. When I was younger I enjoyed being out in the rain but now it just makes me wet. But thank goodness this rain has been gentle…but this is day three – enough already.
So I went outside and took picture of the few flowers I did get in the ground. Hope you enjoy them.
Guess I will spend the rest of the day painting my wooden flowers and butterflies that will adorn my fence. Another fun task of spring. As you enjoy your spring weather, remember to be kind to all things. Flowers as well as people and animals enjoy the gestures of kindness.
Two years ago I planted one small plant of Columbine in a container and now they seem to have taken control…but I don’t mind. They are lovely. So for Cee’sFlower of the Day, I give you a takeover queen and she is lovely.
Columbine
Currently there are 8 plants started from the one “mother” plant. They are early bloomers, don’t last that long and give the garden a gentle beauty to bring you out of winter’s cold. You can see they are an inverted flower, hanging their delicate blooms downward.
But when you flip them over to look inside, its is quite stunning. Yes, I am a bit of a flower geek.
Multiple layers of cupped petals with a bright yellow center
As you walk around enjoying the beauty of flowers this spring and summer, remember they are showing you their beauty as a reflection of their kindness. Reflect kindness as well in all that you do. You might just brighten someone’s dark day.
Hello there friends. This is my take on Cee’s challenge for Cee’s Midweek Madness Challenge (CMMC). The color topic is Purple. Purple is the bestest color ever, especially with flowers and spring.
CampanulaClementis
The Clementi’s petals as such a lovely purple but the center is a rich dark purple. Purple is a royal color for kings and queens but the beauty of flowers can not be beat.
And as always, remember the beauty of kindness. It should be given freely.
Last week I shared the story of my violets, and how recently I lost one. Well, I now have an empty space in the pot so its time for new. Meet Miss pink Ruffles….
I think she will look nice next to the purple violet. I love how when you look real close, she looks as she is covered in glitter. I am sure it’s a girl thing.
Have a great week and remember always to be kind. Even flowers enjoy a little kindness now and again.
Hello, my name is Violet. I am here today to tell you my story. But flowers can’t talk you say…I beg to differ. Think of the peace you see and feel when you see a group of us together gently moving in the breeze, we are speaking to you from our beauty. Or think of those who are very fragrant and our scent is wafting lightly in the air. It makes you smile and you close your eyes in enjoyment. See, we may not use words but we speak loudly…quietly. I know It confusing. But I want to tell you my story, well mine and my two friends. Our caretaker had us in her office. Well, it really wasn’t and office. It was a space underneath a mezzanine in a plant where huge injection molding machines worked. It was smelly, hot and kind of difficult to live in but we managed to do well and continued to bloom…until that day. It was a bad day, a Saturday, a day where my caretaker did have to come to work. A day where she was not able to protect us. A sad scary day.
It started like any other day. Things were humming along as usual until all of a sudden there a loud pop, then gurgling whooshing sound and the next thing you know, all three of us are covered in hydraulic fluid. This is not a substance we are known to be able to grow in. The walls outside the mezzanine were covered and it dripped down everywhere like thick melting goo. It covered floor, other machines, desktops, computers…and us. And it was very warm. We knew were were going to die.
On Monday when our caretaker came in, she immediately went into action. She knew we would probably die but she was at least going to give us a fighting chance. She washed us in Dawn. I had heard that it was safe on animals and many have been saved from oil slicks but we are plants…and violets, very sensitive plants. She gently washed all of the dirt and oil away from us where we were naked for the whole world to see. It was so embarrassing. But she then replanted us in fresh new potting soil and took us home to recuperate. And all three of us survived. Last year one of us got sick when the heater went out. His already weakened system could not tolerate the cold and we lost him. But now as you can see, I am back to blooming. My other friend has not bloomed yet but his leaves are bright green and full so blooms are not far behind.
I just wanted to share my story to let you know the value of kindness, even in a situation where all may seem lost. Good can still come out of a kind try, so always be kind.
As I was following Cee Neuner posts, she introduced me to another blogger’s challenge that I just had to chime in on. Marsha Ingrao creates a Wednesday challenge called Writes Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge. I especially liked her quote for this challenge…
I love the fine details in photography and the written word. Its the details that can trip you up in a story or absolutely blow your mind. But the details of photography to me is what sets any picture off, and I really like photography about nature.
For example, when I went walking and saw my neighbors thrift that was blooming, I was struck by it’s peaceful beauty with pinks and blues cascading gently down the wall.
But then on closer inspection I saw the beauty in the details…
The blue had purple highlights with a tiny yellow center, and the pink had white blooms trying to show their beauty through the pink and white stripes. If we don’t stop and study the details, we will miss their true beauty.
And in closing, I always remind myself as well as anyone who may reads my words, on the beauty of kindness. Its a beauty can not be matched.
Thanks Cee for reminding us of the beauty of flowers with your FOTD challenge. Since our tulips are opening wide right now, I also will show a few tulips.
As flowers make us smile, remember the kindness of sharing your smile. Its contagious.
I am so excited to see all the beauty popping out everywhere. Even with the sneezing and itchy eyes, the beauty is worth the allergy. Today my periwinkles are showing off.
And as always, remember the beauty of kindness. That is more beautiful that any flower. Always be kind.