Golden Blessings

photo by Katg

I have these sunshiny cascades in my garden. I first saw such flowers in Casa San Pablo where we were having a workshop. They had hanging planters of the Golden Garland as accents in the garden and nearby sheds. The plants were so lush and healthy you'd think they were artificial --- i could not keep my eyes off them. Gold does that to  you. All because the owners are such green thumbs. This led me to bug my husband to ask the helper at the country inn if we could bring home some to plant. Good thing they had some young plants for sale. 

photo from pinoyexchange.com

Surfing through the net i found the above photograph -- a pathway with an overarching trellis of the Nong Nooch Vine as they call it in Thailand. I was blown away by the possibility of one day having to walk under such profuse golden showers. That would be a wonderful blessing indeed. Already, though i have yet to make my plants as lush as i would want them, its yellow petals have already attracted a couple of birds with a needle-like beak. They were sipping nectar as i was having my morning coffee. Such a pleasant surprise.

photo of hummingbird from Only Positive.Net

Now i'm not sure what the pair of birds were because i am only used to seeing the ubiquitous mayas in our area. But it sure looked like the hummingbird. Divine.

Edelweiss Send Off For Sec Jess

Edelweiss, Edelweiss

Every morning you greet me

Small and white, clean and bright

You look happy to meet me

Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow

Bloom and grow forever

Edelweiss, Edelweiss

Bless my homeland forever.

Singing this song makes emotions flow through me. My mother sang this often to me when i was just starting my schooling. The Sound of Music will always be part of my wonder years. 

Edelweiss (German for noble and white, pronounced 'edelvice') flowers withstand extreme altitudes providing gentleness in harsh settings.

The song's popular tune came to be used as a benediction beginning in the 70's.

"May the Lord, mighty God,

Bless and keep you forever.

Grant you peace, perfect peace,

Courage in every endeavor.

Lift your eyes and see His face,

And His grace forever.

May the Lord, mighty God,

Bless and keep you forever."

Tender, so tender.  Listen.

Budding, Blossoming

Peony bud

Dahlia bud

How refreshing it is to come upon flowers that are yet to open or bloom. There is just something so powerful, energetic and exciting about them. Especially if you happen to be the person who planted them. I remember my mother being so thrilled seeing her orchids beginning to show -- first as little buds, then the suspense of what is to be --- drum roll --- the wonderfully vibrant petals! Such show offs for us to enjoy.

We are that way with our own children. We wait in expectation for their God-given gifts and talents.

Rafflesia

Rafflesia arnoldii
http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.arn.page.html

How can you stink and yet be a wonder to behold? One of my friends had the surprise of her life when  she and her husband were greeted by this giant in one of their treks in the mountains of the Compostela Valley. Though it smelled like rotting meat she would not pass up the chance to have her photo taken with her face beside its unbelievably huge petals.

This flower is a good reminder that despite each other's shortcomings and imperfections, we all have something marvelous about us. We just need to look deeper, if not closer.

Verbena

photo by Kim Day

photo from orchidflowers.wordpress.com

I so miss my mother's green thumb. Rather i miss her being around (15 years gone this day). She has long passed on to the best garden imaginable perhaps. When i see flowers like the verbena, memory of her is evoked. She used to have these in pots and would teach us to pinch off shoots so that it may grow more lush. 

These clusters are associated with the divine. In ancient Egypt it was known as the "tears of Isis." In early Christian folk legend the verbena was said to be used to stem the flow of Jesus' wounds such that it came to be known as the "holy herb."

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose

Wild Rose Field
by Lena

Rare is the woman who does not love roses. Why, even my own son had only the rose plant in mind when he considered working our little garden. The rose has always stood for beauty and life, love and joy. So divine in essence. 

Yet for all its beauty, the rose is encircled by thorns. Just like life, though strewn with challenges, even pain, there is also tenderness, sweetness, and some fragrance. 

Step Up or Step Out

With a burst of inspiration, i found myself jotting down a list of reminders to myself. As if feverish, i return to my notes with additional stuff i'd like to commit to memory --- first. I am such a procrastinator that without such lists, i would end up not having a single thing done. 

Occupying a page and a half of my coffee shop planner are the following;

"CHANGE. Discipline. Consistency. Commitment. 

Meditation : wake up latest 5 am; do the examen before sleeping
Stewardship of time: Avoid Facebook; bring awareness and creativity everywhere i go; be constantly busy around the house
Stewardship of money: focus on saving. You don't need more clothes and more books (there's still a lot left unread).
Self care: pay attention to what you eat; exercise; avoid toxic thoughts
Learn something new: a craft, a language, or painting"

Half the year is over and i do not want to go over these days come January having regrets or looking back at wasted days when i did not pay attention or have done nothing to grow. Venus Williams, the tennis celebrity said "I know when it is time to step up, not to revert back to bad habits but to keep ahead with the good ones." 

It is time. It may be overdue but here i go. Stepping up.