I want cut flowers in vases, pots of them growing in the windowsill; flowers strew on the mantle, flowers in my hair, on the shelves, on the table. Wildflowers growing in the imaginary garden, and Dutch bulbs in the nonexistent flower bed. Flowers in offering to Mary and Jesus, where they look down benevolently on us from over the refrigerator. Putting flowers in a space transforms. Even the word "flower" sounds full of potential, anticipation, and the holy.
I miss the culture of flowers in the UK. Most houses and taverns have them growing from boxes in the windows. It is such a common practice to pick up flowers with the shopping that flower holders are built into the buggies and baskets. It gives itself away in a society that does not have lawns or yards; but has gardens.
It was here that I first became acquainted with buttercups, and I would pluck handfuls of lavender for my sock drawer.There are potted marigolds for sale at Wal-Mart with kitschy scarecrows stuck in them. It is entirely too much for me; so one might be appearing shortly.
I love this post! I love flowers so much that I made Brent work so hard (it is made with giant boulders) this summer to build me a flower bed in front of the cabin we live in so it is ready for flower planting next spring. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW EXCITED I AM. I always think about which ones I will pick to put there. I will post a picture of it on facebook. We are kindred spirits you and I.
ReplyDeleteYes Exactly!
ReplyDeleteOur first frost of the season was expected (but not delivered) last night, and I spent much of yesterday afternoon cutting flowers to bring indoors. I love having flowers everywhere, ours are very wild and scraggly sometimes (we have a lot of goldenrod and unnamed wildflowers) but they cheer up the whole house so well!