Monday, September 21, 2009

Peace and flowers


There's something special about fall flowers

I'm wondering why I love the fall so much. Especially this year: look at the picture I took of the flowers at the Farmers' Market this past Saturday. I think dahlias and zinnias are incredibly beautiful. But there's another part of fall that I haven't quite gotten used to: allergies. Last year I didn't suffer from them, but this year it's another story altogether. I'm sneezing and itching and I'm not sure why. Could it be the flowers, or ragweed? I'm just going to hang out and hope it gets better.

Today is the International Day of Peace. You can read here about the concept, but it's basically where the phrase, "think globally, act locally" came from. Here in Bellingham there's a rally being held for world peace. Should I let you in on a secret, though? I get so depressed when I think of what is happening in the world today, and not a small part of the violence and destruction is being caused by my own government. I wonder what difference one person's desire for peace makes. I am looking for community, and I've found one that fits me pretty well: the blogosphere.

I want to thank all my followers for all the wonderful connections I've made in the past few months. Yesterday I actually got to 40 followers, which just amazes me, since in March and April when I first began with this blog I had exactly 3. And then I started commenting, following other blogs, and I wrote this post asking how to get more followers (last paragraph). The accumulation of followers is not free, however: I find that I need to go to their blogs, find out more about them, and in the process I often end up with even more blogs to follow. If it were not for Google Reader, I don't think I could keep up. Even one day away from my iMac means I'm falling behind.

But it's worth it. I am retired and don't think I'll find many blank spots in my days this winter. Tomorrow is the autumnal equinox, when the days and nights are of equal length. From tomorrow until the first day of winter, the days will become shorter and the nights longer. And then... well, we know what happens then. Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets, said in 1875: A little Madness in the Spring is wholesome even for the King. I look forward to whatever lies ahead.
:-)

13 comments:

  1. Peace to you also. I am thankful that I met you and that you are a friend. I enjoy my visits here and the hiking tours I take along with you.
    The posted photo is very pretty. The color of autumn flowers seem more intense. I feel bad for you and your allergy suffering. I used to endure fall with misery due to allergies. That is one advantage I have found to getting older - my allergies have gotten much better.

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  2. I always enjoy your wisdom Djan. Soon you'll have 50!

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  3. Now you got another one. I must be 41. Thank you for visiting my b logs and for the comments you leave.

    I would like to encourage you to stop by My Canon Blog and look at some of the photos presented there.

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  4. Yes, you must be a reader to follow lots of blogs! I so enjoy all of the people that I have met from all walks of life from all over the world! You too! :)

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  5. I've wondered too, what change just one person can make. But of course if I don't believe that I can make a difference then I'll never make an effort to at least try.
    I have found that in the blogoshpere I have an opportunity to flit through the thoughts, questions and opinions of a variety of people. It's been wonderful for me as I am so often in my own company. It's a way to stretch the boundaries of my own mind. I've discovered that I enjoy the reading more often than the writing, and I'm glad I was pushed into the blog world. It's opened new doors and for that I am thankful.

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  6. I just noticed you now have 41! It is getting darker, earlier, so we will be happy we have the blog world soon. Yes, it takes time, but it is so worth the effort.

    I know what you mean about getting depressed over the state of the world. I do hope we make a difference by the way we think, vote, live.

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  7. The flowers are beautiful and I agree that the ones in the fall are very special. I sympathize with you on the allergies, I have had hay fever most of my adult life. They are just part of my life and I deal with them with a little help from antihistamine.

    There are days that the news of the world is so bad I can understand your depression over it, I tend to react with anger which is also bad.

    Your followers count is climbing and will continue to do so. I keep finding interesting blogs and just can't stop myself, I having way too much fun.

    Judy

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  8. Peace to you, my friend. It hasn't been that peaceful in my home and I take a tongue-in-cheek look at it in today's post but the reality is, I still have a peace that surpasses all understanding in is not based in my own human fraility. And for that, I'm thankful. Gorgeous flowers. :)

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  9. A little madness in the spring is wholesome even for the king -- what poem of ED's is that from? Love it!

    And why is it we love fall? Perhaps my favorite time of year (though I love then all)

    As to world peace, we keep on praying, hoping, blogging, working on it. But as a student of history let me assure you, we are closer to it now than we have ever been.

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  10. Our government often depresses me too, but I hope it will get better. Keeping up with the blogosphere is hard work, I fall behind so often too! The good thing though is that we don't go away, we sometimes just take time to catch up! -kate

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  11. I feel the same way about blogging..meeting others you never would have known is quite a gift.
    I get behind in reading others' blogs, but that's okay...we all do and then we get caught up when we can...we all do it..because we have a life to live too.
    I thank you for reading my blog too and for leaving your encouraging comments about my photography.
    I have allergies beyond comparison this year too. My right eye watered for over six weeks. Wonder why this year is so bad? Take your antihistamines and hang in there!

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  12. Your flowers are gorgous. What wonderful colours! I love the autumn too. I used to think it was because I was born in the autumn, but now I think it is the colours that grab me.
    Blessings, Star

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