Tag: flowers

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Of butterflies and spiders

The stock photo above represents the vision I have for my butterfly bush — big blossoms covered with beautiful butterflies!

In reality my bush has been slow to flower and I haven’t seen much in the way of butterflies (as in none, although bumblebees are regular visitors to other flowers in my container garden).

So, I was thrilled the other morning to notice a butterfly on my butterfly bush!

Until I realized that the reason I could get so close without it flying away is that the butterfly had been captured by a spider and was already a goner.

Oh well, I guess spiders have to eat, too.

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Greetings from a solstice baby

Yep, every few years my birthday falls exactly on the Summer Solstice, which is kind of fun.

I hope you’re doing something enjoyable on this, the longest day of the year. I’m headed to a rehearsal myself.

But that’s okay, because Ramesha made me French toast for breakfast and my gift was a brand new tablet, which will be very convenient when traveling.

Plus these beautiful flowers were awaiting me when I got to the office.

It’s been a lovely birthday.

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Delicious, beautiful, relaxing

Beautiful flower beds in Parco Ciani

Today we enjoyed an excursion to Centro Lugano.

First was lunch at Migros: fresh slices of pizza, followed by caffè macchiato, and mini-fruit tarts.

Then we walked to and through Parco Ciani, enjoying the beautiful spring flowers that are blooming everywhere.

A lovely, relaxing day.

Mini-fruit tarts from Migros
Walking the path along the lake in Parco Ciani

Tulips on the way to Parco Ciani
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The earth laughs in flowers

I saw this beautiful photo, accompanied by the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, in a post from a Facebook group (Rumi and Spiritual quotes).

“The earth laughs in flowers.”

This lovely imagery immediately brought to my mind these lyrics from Swami Kriyananda’s song, “There’s Joy in the Heavens.”

“…the flowers are all laughing to welcome the morning; your soul is as free as the air!”

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Remembering Mom with flowers

Today — July 31, 2023 — would have been my mother’s 89th birthday.

As I thought about her, I started remembering how much she loved her flowers — especially rhododendrons, gladiolus, and bottlebrush.

Happy heavenly birthday, Mom!

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A blessed homecoming

A number of beautiful flower offerings greeted us when we arrived home today.

Most were bouquets from friends, but Divine Mother welcomed us with flowers as well — we had never seen such an abundance of roses on the somewhat neglected bushes next to our yard!

The photo below doesn’t come close to doing them justice!

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Home again

It’s been a long day — packing up in Pacific Grove, driving to Sacramento to pick up the rest of our stuff, then finally back to Ananda Village.

Overjoyed to be home, but pretty tired when all is said and done.

Beautiful “welcome home” flowers and card
More beautiful flowers
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Our new neighborhood

The house across the street

We’re liking our temporary new neighborhood a lot.

It can’t compare with the Village in terms of quiet and nature, but hasn’t been that difficult of an adjustment.

There are lots of trees and many front yards are filed with flowers. I was a little sad at leaving my garden behind, so I ended up bringing two of the “deer-chomped” lantana plants with me. I figured they could do with some TLC in a gentler environment, plus I can putter around with them during the weeks that I have to stick close to home.

Lantana plant on the road to full recovery

Well, as it turns out, there’s a huge bush of the exact same lantana plant just up the street from us! Very encouraging.

What my lantana plant may become someday

And finally, there’s a neighborhood cat who’s completely at home on the back deck. It comes pretty much every day and makes itself comfortable, even trying to come inside at one point (which we firmly discouraged).

Neighborhood kitty

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Practicing compassion

Before…
…and after

Our local deer are helping me to grow spiritually.

How? Well, this is the time of year when all the vegetation is so dried out that the deer begin eating plants they would usually avoid.

So, the “deer resistant” flowers that I was so excited to plant a few weeks ago? The photos tell the story.

Notice the lush growth in the bottom right of the before pic, and how it’s almost entirely gone in the after photo.

Before…
…and after

I actually caught a doe and her fawn red-handedly chomping on my butterfly bush one day! As a result I find myself more resentful than appreciative when I see deer around the community.

But then I remember that they’re desperate and I do my best to practice compassion.

Which is how the deer are helping me to grow spiritually!

Before…
…and after
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Treating myself to flowers

I’ve been craving more color in my garden these last few weeks. In fact, I found myself impulsively buying random flowers at Grocery Outlet and CVS.

And then it occurred to me that this is a healthy way to indulge myself, since most of my usual treats (i.e. cookies, pastries, popcorn, etc.) are off limits right now.

So, I went to Weiss Brothers nursery and thoroughly enjoyed shopping for still more flowers. They’re all planted now and it feels great.