Month: June 2025

Broken Open Not Broken

| Flower Roberts

No worries followers. The revision surgery went great. I have a PT assessment this morning with my fun physical therapist. I will be fine.

The events in the news have cracked me open. There are people who are unable to see the world through the same lense I peer through. They know not what they do.

Getting along. Staying strong.

If I ever do get a tattoo; it will be about Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and her dog, Gilbert. We need to do all we can to keep souls like hers with us in this broken world.

More hate will not help. Stand firm in your truths. Stand in front of our non-white, non-rich, non-dicotamous brothers and sisters.


Breathe in their pain and breathe out love and hope.

FLOWER

PS: Today is mine and Mr. FLOWER’S 40th anniversary. We went out last night. Under that flowery dress is a loooong line of itchy stitches.

The FLOWERS for 40!

To Choose or Be Chosen

| Flower Roberts

Young women from the past

were told by our culture

wait to be chosen.


You do not know enough to choose.
We will choose for you.
We know what is best.
We will plan your path.
We know what you need.
You need our guidance.

Yes, they loved you

but did they know you?

Young women today…

Do not change to be chosen.

YOU must choose.

Do not forfeit your power.

Choose you. Be true to you.

Choose a choice that will last.

Do not allow the mores of the past

to hijack your future.

You be you.

Always and forever.

FLOW

Flowers with two of my parents’ wedding gifts.

The unfinished book is locked in my safe, but never far from my mind. Especially now, when choices are being made by powerful people that have not earned trust and do not have the same heart as many.

Mercy for all.

Flowers from Home

| Flower Roberts

My family came up to the mountains today. They thoughtfully brought some of my flowers from home.

Flowers from Home

I used the only vase in this house to put them in. I am happy to see these familiar faces.

‘Lucifer’ Crocosmias, Whooperee daylily, ‘Tootie Fruitie’ Yarrow, ‘Firepot’ dahlia, ‘Snow Country’ dahlia, ‘Glory Blue’ Hydrangea, ‘Captain Romance’ calla, ‘Breed Apart’ daylily



FLOWER

Fear and Me

| Flower Roberts

I wish this battle would finally be over,
but that’s not how things played out…again.
The fear is here with me, uninvited as usual.
My mantra is:
If you don’t move, you won’t break.
I am alone until tomorrow.
I will keep my phone with me,
in case I break again.
I am bruised from the last reduction.
Will it be the last?
If I am still, it will.
A revision may fix what keeps separating.
Everyone is afraid. I am afraid.
Is fear my friend or my foe?
Maybe both.
We are here together, alone
Fear and me



Still FLOW

Third time

Balls of Flames on Wild Azalea

| Flower Roberts

This azalea was just down the road from the lovely picnic area that I posted earlier.

Flame azalea

I have never seen round balls of blooms like these.

I slow down every time I drive by.
Amazingly beautiful.

Wowza!

FLOWER

I Did Not Dig Up My Dahlias

| Flower Roberts

I could not dig up my dahlias last fall. I was too busy falling down and going to the Emergency Room.

Here they are.

Firepot dahlia
Snow Country dahlia

They survived without my digging them, drying them, cleaning them and then storing them in shoeboxes with vermiculite.

What else have I been doing the hard way?


Sigh.


Do not answer that.

FLAW. I mean FLOW.

Tall, Dark and Easy

| Flower Roberts

This is the best calla I have ever known.
It is tall, dark and easy.

Hot Chocolate calla lily

Its dark blooms contrast
its bright clear-spotted leaves.

Spathe of calla lily


It needs sun, drainage and moisture.
‘Hot Chocolate’ calla is delicious.

FLOW

My Independent Plants

| Flower Roberts

If you pick the right type and the right location. A plant will thrive if planted correctly. This means you can enjoy it with very little work.


These giant yellow asiatic lilies are an example of this.

Yellow asiatic lilies


I may feed once per year. I water when I happen to be down there. They grow and bloom without much help from me.

Easy Asiatics in a fence.


That is the goal with all babies. The mother’s job is to give them a great start and early support. Then a few checks and an occassional bit of help.

Voila!

Independence.

Mama FLOW

Picnic in Heaven

| Flower Roberts

There is a beautiful and peaceful spot near our house. It is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Moses Cone Manor. It is shaded by tall oaks and carpeted with green moss.


There are lovely flame azaleas scattered amongst the tables adding bright color in the shade. I have driven by and visited this tranquil spot my entire life.

Flame azaleas

I even spent the night here once on a roadtrip from college. I stayed up to keep our fire going and melted the tips of my new running shoes.

Picnic in heaven

This place could not be more picturesque. I stopped to thank the caretakers. It is obvious that they care about this haven…or is it heaven?

Blooms on the moss carpet

FLOW