“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.” — David Attenborough portal of calm unadulterated reserve inner peace haven * * * Unspoiled tangle of natural beauty provides sanctuary of peace and quiet • Photo and “Sanctuary” haiku by Mary O’Connor © … More Sanctuary
“A symbol is indeed the only possible expression of some invisible essence, a transparent lamp about a spiritual flame…” — William Butler Yeats threads of silky fluff ornamental expression unexpected might * * * Lighting the world with its delicate clusters of silky pink threads, the Mimosa, or Persian Silk Tree, symbolizes sensitivity, gentleness, compassion … More Sensitivity
“There are connoisseurs of blue just as there are connoisseurs of wine.” — Sidonie Gabrielle Colette every shade likely sky, ocean deep, precious gems dimensions of soul * * * Hydrangea, with their showy ornamental blossoms, are loved for their kaleidoscope of changing colors, ranging from shades of pink to violet to purple to deep … More Shades of Blue
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela iris stretch so high hanging petals open wide pageant of beauty * * * Stained in divine purple, Japanese Iris stand straight and tall, relaxed petals stroking the essence of life • Photo and “Divine … More Divine Display
“Beauty is heaven’s gift, and how few can boast of beauty.” — Ovid delicate beauty symbolic layers of grace bouquet of heaven # # # If heaven is a mass of delicate hues and fragrance, stored in perennial elegance, then peonies are heaven • Photo and “Peonies” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“What fun is life without a bit of showing off?” — Matt Lucas memorable style vibrant personality life lived with pizazz * * * With its showy display, the vibrant purple salvia is remembered for its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to pollinate the garden. It is celebrated for its legendary powers of … More Pizazz
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett blossoms line pathway releasing peace with each step tranquility trail * * * Bessie Van Wickle turned the Blithewold estate into an American garden treasure with practical as well as poetic plantings. Integrated into the landscape, … More Tranquility Trail
“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.” — Washington Irving woodland ecstasy wind music colored with leaves total rhapsody * * * Blithewold, Old English for “happy woodland,” is the name given to the Van Wickle … More Happy Woodland
“Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles.” — Mike Greenberg tiniest petals superbness undercover clear understatement * * * Tiniest blossoms cover the earth with greatest pleasure • Photo and “Miniscule” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“The living self has one purpose only: to come into its own fullness of being, as a tree comes into full blossom, or a bird into spring beauty….” — D.H. Lawrence beauty overwhelms deletes all hints of dullness shuts misery down * * * Magnolia blossoms: iconic symbols of romance, love and joy • Photo … More Fullness
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 