“I don’t think there’s anything on this planet that more trumpets life than the sunflower. For me, that’s because of the reason behind its name. Not because it looks like the sun, but because it follows the sun. During the course of the day, the head tracks the journey of the sun across the sky. A … More “Turn your face to the sun and the shadows follow behind you.” — Maori Proverb
Sometimes this feeling sets in— as if that whole field of flowers is gold and wine and perfect. Some feel that way when spring unfolds its leaves and petals and sunshine flows and we listen to the cadence of downy reds, drumming their way ’round an old tree trunk. Others think—as the peepers gather and … More The Nature of Peace
“but nature always gets the last word, and what it says is usually untidy by human standards. But I find all states of nature beautiful, and because I want to delight in my garden, not rule it, I just accept my yen to tame the chaos on one day and let the Japanese beetles run … More “Gardeners may create order briefly out of chaos,
“and become rich.” — African proverb (Ashanti tribe) * * * Holstein cow, Tiffany Farm, Lyme, Connecticut. Photo credit: Mary O’Connor © 2007
“When you say something, don’t be in the shadow; let everyone see you! Whatever you say always put your name under it! Be courageous enough not to use any mask; don’t forget that hiding among the bushes is the affair of the cowards! Let the Sun shines on your face and everyman see you!” — … More “Never hide yourself!
“…delphiniums in shades of blue and lavender, poppies, lilies in all their splendor… The sight is breathtaking and pulls your soul in close to the peacefulness we all crave.” — Barbara Parsons Barbara wrote these words to picture a world for which she yearned while serving time behind the walls of a correctional institution. The image … More Reawaken through flowers
“to come into its own fullness of being, as a tree comes into full blossom, or a bird into spring beauty, or a tiger into lustre.” — D.H. Lawrence * * * Photo credit: Mary O’Connor © 2014
Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters. — St. Bernard * * * Dogwood blossoms. Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2014
“I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.” ― Ann Lamott * * * Pansies, photo by Mary O’Connor © 2013
“had never appeared so fantastically beautiful as it did this spring. I had an uncomfortable suspicion that Nature had come to reconquer the earth for herself.” ― Yukio Mishima * * * Photo credit: Jan Logozzo © 2014
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 