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| This morning's nasturtium flower with dewdrops |
The proverb is of French origin and was used by the French novelist Alphonse Karr (1808-90). It also appears in George Bernard Shaw's 'Revolutionist's Handbook' (1903) (From answers.yahoo.com).Who knew? And more than that, who cares? Well, I do, and there's the rub. I need to find my way through the thicket of comments that I received from my post expressing some dissatisfaction with my blog. Nobody can ever know for certain how one is received, and I learned that for at least a few of my followers, I am NOT boring and repetitive, which was my main concern. That, and the anxiety I have felt lately when writing about my daily life that I am missing an opportunity. Unfortunately, I can't express it any better, since I don't know just what that opportunity might be.
Perhaps the way forward for me is to remember that I can't really make any mistakes here, except by allowing my old ways of thinking and acting to inhibit what's trying to emerge. Writing from my heart instead of from my head is a good start. I'll try to remember that. One thing I know: I won't be writing more often, since every post takes a while to compose and nothing annoys me quite as much as getting lost in a thread, like I did with the proverb above. I frittered an hour away before I could even START writing.
And so what if I get nowhere? I'm going to flail around here for a bit, maybe, and it's possible that I won't get anywhere new. The more things change...
~~~I've finished my front porch flower garden. I cheated a bit by going to the Farmers' Market today and buying a couple of pre-made gardens. A lady at the market creates the prettiest artistic arrangements, with stuff she's collected from secondhand stores and fills with plants and flowers. One of my purchases is an old basket, maybe it was an Easter basket, and the other is a recycled colander filled with succulents. The basket contains petunias, coleus, and some unidentified flowers, all with lots of growing to do for the summer. I'm enchanted and already enjoy them.
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| Basket behind, colander in the foreground |
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| The view from my chair |
:-)
sometimes in life, flailing is the only thing that keeps us afloat. flail away. :)
ReplyDeletei like your 'cheat' gardens. at least it sounds like the lady who planted them might know what she's doing, so i hope they do well. :)
have fun playing out in the air there with your friends...smiles....i like what you did with the basket...that is very cool to me...
ReplyDeleteand hey have fun, be creative...do what you want...you cant break it...smiles.
I meant to tell you ... your descriptions of your daily life are interesting because the things you take for granted, such as exercise and eating healthy, are not quite the same as the things I take for granted. So I learn from you, and sometimes I think, "I should do more of that." Sometimes I even do! As Brian says, try things out and do what you like; you can't break it!
ReplyDeleteI don't consider it cheating at all. Some people have an eye for creating beauty in a pot and some don't (that would be me) and I like to do my part to support those that do! Beautiful patio garden!
ReplyDeleteYour front porch garden is lovely. I put my plants up on something in hopes the slugs will be too lazy to make the climb to eat them. Have fun skydiving tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe spouse and I did a garden tour this morning and I was inspired by all the well crafted gardens. Now I want to do more with my own. I haven't taken the time to do much to the front porch or back patio...wish we had a garden lady who did planters at our Saturday Market! Yours look lovely.
ReplyDeleteWho cares what others think? It's like me wearing muumuus (Hawaiian dresses) everywhere, even in Tokyo. Lol. I don't give a damn what the Japanese think, as long as I am happy. Have fun sky diving tomorrow; hope the weather cooperates.
ReplyDeleteI think most bloggers ponder about their blog. Very few are brave enough to ask outright , "How am I doing?"
ReplyDeleteYour blog gives a very descriptive look at your daily life. Then you go to a deeper level and think about the meaning of life .
It's always interesting and thought provoking.
I love (and lust after) your gardens. This morning I went to a Farmers' Market here and picked up four foxgloves, two deliphiniums and a poppy. And would have bought more if I could carry them.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day - and I hope the skies are open to you tomorrow.
Oh flail away! I always like unique planters..I used to always plant a tea pot and an old pitcher..now they just hang in my garage collecting dust:)
ReplyDeleteSummer flowers brighten our lives. Yours and lovely, and fun!
ReplyDeleteAs I look up at the blue sky tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you.
This post is precisely why I read your blog ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnother smile delivered from you to me
ReplyDeleteAnd I thank you for that!
First if all, I love your verb "frittered." I don't know why, but it brought a smile to my face. You are good with how you share your day, your thoughts, and the beauties of the Pacific Northwest, and I hope you have an absolutely splendid day on Sunday.
Stay safe, my friend.
Sending you smiles right back!
Hi! I'll go find your "boring"post inquiry & throw my 2¢ in, for what it's worth. There's snother phrase to look up. I place it as the title of one of my favorite Buffalo Springfield songs; hardly the origin but, there you go. This could go on & on.
ReplyDeleteI think your flowers & plantings are lovely.
I have tried to improve my front garden. Last year I grew lupins and delphiniums from seed and have waited a whole year before they flower. The lupins have worked well but a fox has trampled on my delphiniums and broken them! I feel so downhearted I'll just give up trying to grow my own and get down to the garden centre. Have a good week DJan.
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to hearing about your adventures.
ReplyDeleteWell imho, the main appeal of any blog is that it is personal and unique, and so as you say, "Writing from my heart instead of from my head is a good start."
ReplyDeleteFlailing? Don't we all do that? Love the flowers and the proverb!
ReplyDeleteFor me, you're one of my peers that reinforces my decision to stay physically active. I'm not alone and I'm inspired. So, I keep coming back and enjoy my time here with you. Your plants are very cool.
ReplyDeleteI agree. This is exactly why I read your blog. Just to hear whatever is flailing about in your brain and get a peek into your world, so different from mine. :) :) Hope your knees are in the breeze as I am writing these words. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove it when someone takes a throwaway item like that colander and gives it new life.
ReplyDeleteKeep talking to us as you do, that is why I come here-- well also to realize that it's possible I could be doing a tad more with my own life. Thanks.
Morning DJan - I think sitting in your fav spot by the window writing/creating certainly would be inspiring with that view. Our skies are filled with summer haze today and I do not think you can jump with skies like that. I just helped my sweet neighbour pot n plant some colour around her patio and yard, as I had my own done. Its fun to get together n chat and work the earth with a pal, Eh. Kinda like when you work in your garden with the other gardeners. You gave me something to think about with your opening paragraphs this morning - neat read. I am off to help friend up in Milltown prepare for grandson's graduation party at Grandma's. We are putting together a storyboard with growing photos. Party is next Saturday, but lots to do to prepare. Looking forward to having lots of fun. Have a wonderful day in the sky and catch yah later :)
ReplyDeleteI never read people's comments on other blogs. But I read yours for inspiration last week as well. Because I think we all struggle with feelings like yours at some point. But keep up the good work DJan. I enjoy your words and photos.
ReplyDeleteI loved the way you wrote about all that is on your mind today. I doubt you ever really flail about, but it nice to know that at times, you feel as if you do.
ReplyDeleteI love your flowers. I am curious. You will have to let me know how the flowers in the basket turn out in a few weeks or in a month or so. I love the idea of planting in such things as cute baskets, but I'm wondering if the basket is deep enough for the roots. Let me know. Also, I wonder what she lined the bottom with. Will some flowers do better than others? Some like moist soil, while others do not. I am finding that my baskets on the porch are a challenge because of all the reasons that I asked you about.
The pre-made gardens are lovely. I have an old plastic colander that I have been meaning to use as a planter, maybe it's time to do so.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how a phase can sent us off in another direction. For instance, California Girl mentioned the Buffalo Springfield song, For What It's Worth. My mind immediately flew off to the 60's when life seemed so simple yet complicated and I was a different person.
I love seeing all your gardening efforts, DJan! All your plants look colorful, beautiful, strong and determined, just like you.
ReplyDeleteI totally get losing an hour just trying to get started. I often think to just add quotes to my photos... for you know, a quick post. Nuh unh.. finding the right ones takes me far longer than writing about each pic.
ReplyDelete