Tulip Tour

More images of some of my favorite things -- tulips.   In particular, I love the orange hues against the lush green backdrop along with the fragile feathered petals that are visible in these close-up shots.   Details do matter.

"The details are not the details, they make the design."

                                                                                                           --Charles Eames

More Tulips

As I've noted several times, flowers are some of my favorite things, including tulips.  So, if you follow this blog, there are many gorgeous images of all sorts of blooming things.  And, since tulips come this time of year and for just a short while, I want to highlight more of these beauties.

"A tulip doesn't strive to impress anyone.  

It doesn't struggle to be different than a rose.  

It doesn't have to.  It is different.  

And there's room in the garden for every flower."

                                                                                                           --Marianne Williamson

Tulip Time

Seeing these showy, bold, cup-shaped blooms springing from the soil seems like a rite of passage on the annual road to warmer weather.  For me, it's a favorite time as I adore most any blooming thing, including tulips.  With the vibrant green lawn as a backdrop, these stunning samples didn't disappoint.  Hope you've found some to admire and make your heart happy.

"Tulips were a tray of jewels."

                                                                                                                         --E.M. Forster

For Moms

"If you tend to a flower, it will bloom, 

no matter how many weeds surround it."

                                                                                                                        --Matshona Dhliwayo

Simple

Recently I sat down to put marker on paper to create a birthday sign and this is what transpired.  Cute.  Simple.  Heartwarming.  Bright.  Vibrant.  Refreshing.  Ahhh.... This was a good reminder of all the simple pleasures I so often overlook.  

"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy,

If a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you,

If the simple things of nature have a message that you understand,

Rejoice, for your soul is alive."

   --Eleonora Duse                           

A Path

"If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads."

                                                                                                                 --Anatole France

Prior to the outbreak of Covid-19, I would have posted this photo with the corresponding quote and left it at that; however, after several weeks of our paths looking drastically different than we previously would have imagined, I felt compelled to write a bit more.  

In my case, as a teacher attempting to teach remotely, there really is no path as it's essentially just doing my best within the guidelines outlined by administrators to provide learning opportunities to students and stay in touch with them regarding their progress.  Sound simple?  It's not. 

However, relatively speaking, my existence has been easy when compared to those in other professions who can't stay at home or who lack resources for their basic needs.  Although my path in the last while has looked much different than during other school years, I do have food and shelter and safety in my home.  So, again, I am grateful for so much and keep so many other individuals in my thoughts as their paths at this time are much more challenging than mine.

The Human Spirit

In recent weeks we've all seen countless videos of inspiring acts of kindness, bravery, creativity, thoughtfulness, and people helping people.  Celebrations have taken to the streets and outdoor spaces where life's milestones and special moments are still honored.  Clearly, even in times of trepidation, the human spirit is resilient and bold in its many forms of goodness.

These images are from a birthday parade that was organized for a dear cousin.  Vehicle after vehicle poured in to the meeting place and then processed through the streets passing by the birthday girl.  She loved it....and so did all the rest of us.  

Rewind a few months and not one of us would've imagined such an event ...but really, amid all of the world's current imperfections, just for a few minutes, life seemed perfect.  The evening temperature was mild and the wind light.  A hint of sun popped through the clouds.  My paper-plate birthday sign, even though it was NOT how I'd planned to make it, was easy to toss like a frisbee from inside the vehicle to the lawn.  In so many ways, this event was another expression of the human spirit that was simply perfect.