“The tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dewdrops falling from roses on the bosom of the earth.” — Robert Dodsley “Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.” —Kurt Vonnegut * * * Fallen Tears ~ Peonies past … More Fallen Tears
“Against a dark sky, all flowers look like fireworks.” — Gilbert K. Chesterton “July is hollyhocks and hammocks, fireworks and vacations, hot and steamy weather, cool and refreshing swims, beach picnics, and vegetables all out of the garden – first sweet corn on the cob dripping with butter, first tomatoes dead ripe and sun warm, … More Summer Revelry
“The beauty of that June day was almost staggering. After the wet spring, everything that could turn green had outdone itself in greenness and everything that could even dream of blooming or blossoming was in bloom and blossom.” — Dan Simmons “You walk through a series of arches, so to speak, and then, presently, at … More Rose Garden
“Cherish sunsets, wild creatures, and wild places. Have a love affair with the wonder and beauty of the earth.” — Stewart Udall “People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” — Iris Murdoch Wild Beauty — Gardens at the … More Wild Beauty
“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” — Charlie Chaplin “The bloom may be brief but the memory of its beauty will last a lifetime.” — Doe Zantamata * * * Delight in Full Bloom — Ornamental Kwanzan Cherry Tree blossoms photo by Mary O’Connor © 2019
“Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.” — Alfred North Whitehead “There is in all things a pattern that is part of our universe. It has symmetry, elegance, and grace – these qualities you find always in that the true artist captures. You can … More Comfort in Patterns
“Sometimes we let life guide us, and other times we take life by the horns. But one thing is for sure: no matter how organized we are, or how well we plan, we can always expect the unexpected.” — Brandon Jenner Staghorn (or elkhorn) ferns receive their name from their unique horn shaped fronds. Also … More Taking control
“We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.” — Ben Sweetland “The torch America carries is one of decency and hope. It is not America’s torch alone. But it is America’s duty – and honor – to hold it high enough that all the world can see its light.” — … More Torchlight
“The wildflower wreath of feeling, the sunbeam of the heart.” — Fitz-Greene Halleck “Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring.” — Bram Stoker * * * Fall colors offer welcome greeting — Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“I know the lands are lit, with all the autumn blaze of Goldenrod.” — Helen Hunt Jackson “Sneeze-bringers and seed-bearers, full of bees and yellow beads and perfect flowerlets…” So writes poet Mary Oliver when describing the infamous goldenrod. To author Stephen King, they are “that most tenacious and pernicious and beauteous of all New … More Sneeze-bringers
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 