I had to get out and revive myself today.
I went for a hike in what is left of our woods.
My hips are back to goat status. No stick was taken. No falling down.
I found some moss and orange mushrooms.
That’s all I needed, some sun and some green.
FLOW
I must stay busy during the winter months. I read many books and write a lot while cooped up inside. I make a wishlist of books all year long, so I have a good stash to get me through.
I write in books as I read them and read many of them several times. The library would frown upon this habit, so I get books as gifts. I loan these to friends who are able to ignore my scribbles and sticky notes.
Here are my books for the winter of 2025. I will share my thoughts on the best ones as I finish them.
I also write in journals often. I carry a journal everywhere I go and keep one in the car. This habit has helped me with memories. My sister and I were discussing our different versions of a memory today. I reminded her that Donald Davis says that your story is your story.
I hope for a wonderful 2025. I plan on trying harder to be smarter. This will include healthier habits and less mindless activities. I am making an Action Board to keep me on track. I will share that when it is complete.
I also got some toys. I have been especially good this year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
FLOW
In the spirit similar to tokonoma, I set the tone for my home with a display in our foyer. These displays always contain some plants and fairies. All displayed objects have some significance to us.
The foyer arrangement has been updated with holiday flowers and gifts. I am excited to share two, tiny, artistic arrangements given to me by my sister-in-law and nieces. They purchased these from a fellow-crafter at one of their shows.
They know I love fairies, moss, mushrooms and bunnies. It seems these pieces were custom-made for me. The mushrooms light up in different colors. I hope my sis passes along my appreciation to the artist.
The delicate red spots of this Amaryllis, Elvas, remind me of some of my favorites from past years. Hippeastrum coloration is especially interesting when viewed under a microscope. If you want to see that and my collection, type amaryllis into the search bar.
There must always be a poinsettia at Christmas. I do keep these for years. My favorite was mowed down when my daughter, Rose, fell down the carport steps this summer. She was more worried about the plants than her body. Both of us falling off steps was the catalyst for the new railings from Crown Fence in former posts.
I find that a foyer display serves as a cheery greeting for our guests and distracts from the dirty floors. I would much rather arrange flowers than sweep. Wouldn’t you?
We are in the down days between Christmas and New Years. I may stay in my pajamas reading my newly gifted books. Those will be the subject of my next post. I am also reading about writing and publishing in preparation for my next book. This reading has been boring. I won’t share those books.
My next book is about paternalism and its long-term effects on the women in three generations of my family. You will know about that in time. I feel like a time-traveler!
FLOWER
All I need is a tiny reminder of what is to come. These little signs of spring get me through the dark, short days. My Professor Sargeant Camellia japonica has sent out one perfect bloom from all of its hundreds of buds.
On this shortest day of the year, I am grateful for this one bright, red reminder of the beauty to come.
That’s all I need is a little faith in sunshine and spring. We have made it to the solstiice gardeners. It gets brighter from here.
Happy Holidays
FLOWER
I am sharing our Christmas tree full of history. My children have their own ornaments, which they put on the tree themselves. Rose’s are hung, but my son is not home yet. He and his ornaments are missing.
He is taking an important exam today. Our son has been preparing for this day a long time. We will be proud, no matter the outcome.
I hope he will see this post during the lunchbreak to take his mind to a place of peace and joy for a bit.
Come home soon Handsome. There are empty spaces for you to fill.
WE LOVE YOU
Mom, Busy Bee, Flower, Seizure Mama…
I am a firm believer in silver linings. This wisdom comes from years full of challenges and loss. Memories of times before a loss are more precious afterwards. Our lives get divided by important events, not dates.
There are memories partitioned off as befores and afters; before a death, after a birth, before Covid, after a move, before a marriage, after a graduation, before a diagnosis…
Time gets sorted into pieces colored by the challenges of the times. Sometimes those times are dark and hard, others are joyous and new.
There are shifts in our lives that seem to recalibrate everything of importance. These are the markers that divide our stories into chapters.
I have been working on a timeline of my earlier life. There were marriages, births and deaths during these years. Big changes came to my young life. As I record this series of events, I am amazed that life went on despite the losses. It seemed like time stopped, but it did not.
Careers started, babies were born and houses were built. We just carried our grief along with us as we moved forward.
We were resilient. Braver than before. Stronger than before. More determined.
As we approach another holiday season; there will be much loved people or pets that are missing. Careers and health may have changed.
But here we are decorating another tree. Pausing to remember the origin of the ornaments. Smiling at the photos, art and tiny handprints from holidays past. Hanging a stocking that will contain only memories, but still holds a place for someone special.
We are still here. Stronger and braver.
That is the brightness I am going to use as my guiding light. I am thankful that past hardships have brought us here to be grateful for what has passed and what is ahead.
Bring it! We can handle it.
FLOW
It is hard to believe that I have worn so many hats through the years. Some have been long term, others not so long. I am still a daughter and a sister. Both of these roles have lasted over sixty years.
I have many friends that have been around over forty years. I consider this remarkable, since I have moved around and changed so much. These are the people that really know me. I am grateful that they continue to be part of my life.
My role as mother is still an active one. Rose is still home as she navigates through more epilepsy medication changes which means no driving. My son is living hours away and independent, but I choose to think he still needs me.
My wife role started almost forty years ago. We each had different expectations from a spouse. Our parents’ marriages were at opposite poles. Those rules don’t work anymore. I hope my children will forge their own ideas into their future relationships instead of following our lead. Every marriage is unique.
My official student roles lasted over seventeen years. I love to learn and would gladly return to be a student of botany, zoology, mycology or immunology. My memory is not what it used to be, but my experience and enthusiasm might get me through one more degree.
I have filled many teacher roles. I started in high schools, then community college, followed by seven years in middle school and lastly back to community college. I was happy to shed these roles, even though I really loved my students.
I ran my own tiny garden art business for over five years. I made pieces of outdoor art with concrete, Portland cement, peat moss, stones, tile and glass. I guess that started all the photography. My benches weighed over 300 pounds. It was a good run, but it was really hard on my body.
I will spare you the long list of bit parts I have played at churches, civic organizations and my children’s schools.
My latest roles as writer, photographer and gardener have suited me best of all. I enjoy the quiet solitude and self-pacing. I finally have a leading role in my life with a remote audience. I give only what I want to these parts. They are not demanding nor draining.
I hope I will find peace and satisfaction now that I have stopped wearing so many hats and filling so many shoes. No pay or praise expected.
I want my last role to be as just me.
FLOW
I recently attended the 6th Annual PlantPop Film Festival in Norfolk, Va. and I have a report! So first, I imagine you’re asking: What IS PlantPop exactly? It’s a Film Production Company PlantPop is a 10-year-0ld film production company that commissions short films, mostly about interesting people doing cool things with plants – 359 of […]
PlantPop’s Films, Festival, Funding and more – your Questions (mostly) Answered
Do not be concerned by my messy house and weedy gardens. There has been a paradigm shift in my mode of operandi. Perfection is no longer considered an option. I will gladly hand off my crown to the nearest over-achiever.
This handy term ‘It’ll Do’ came to us during the worst trip we have ever taken. On our way to our destination in Tennessee we spied a tiny motel by the side of the highway with the sign ‘It’ll Do Motel’ out front. Of course we thought this was hysterical…until we saw the place where we had reservations. It wouldn’t do, but it had to. We arrived in the late evening with no time to look elsewhere.
This hotel was mentioned in a famous book about AIDS. It was infamous for being a hub for spreading HIV all over America as reported in My Own Country by Abraham Verghese. This was no surprise to us. The snitchy furnishings, nasty bathroom, small hole in the wall above the bed and all-night comings and goings were clues.We all slept in our clothes and socks, except for the debutante. She got food poisoning at supper and slept fitfully in her lovely white nightgown between bouts of vomiting.
So the It’ll Do Motel looked pretty good as we passed it on our way home. Our family has used this nickname ever since when we complete a task using minimum standards. Sometimes we add ‘Bittle Boo’ to the end because mama loves rhymes.
So my new mode is ‘Completed As Needed’ i.e. ‘It’ll Do.’ No struggling for perfection from this wise old bird. Those high standards were nothing but barriers that kept me from trying new things. I am learning to kick my insecurities to the curb.
I hope my children are noticing this change, along with the increased mess and decreased profanity. I have waited a long time for this wisdom. Wonder what else I have been doing so right that it’s wrong?
We shall see.
BITTLE BOO
floweralley 