Thoughts become things.

Dreary weather is predicted for the rest of the week. This is not good news for a melancholy temperament but in spite of the ever present pull toward being a pessimist, today was different. Some of my many flaws don't bother me as much as they used to. But my goal for the next part of my life is not to turn into a brittle, cranky, intolerant, mean or worse yet, pretentious old lady. Not that there aren't days. . .

Anyway, I remembered Pam's advice at her blog, Art and Soul. She said: thoughts become things. So I made up my mind that at least for today, I'd fill my head with good things and off to the botanical gardens I went. Now, I am aware that good intentions can be tested at every turn like inconsiderate drivers, no toilet paper in the stall I chose, and later when I bought groceries on the way home I had one of those Chiquita banana stickers stuck on my hair for who knows how long, that no one told me about. . . the usual stuff.

But the flowers that filled my vision, the birdsong, delicious smell of hyacinths, stocks and lilies, koi in the ponds and the little mice that scurried out to eat below the birdfeeders all found their way to those hungry parts of my soul.

Here's what I saw:

reflections of stocks, lilies and tulips in the Sunken Garden

“O fairest flower, no sooner blown but blasted,
Soft silken primrose fading timelessly.” John Milton


“Nothing's so dainty sweet as lovely melancholy.” Francis Beaumont

one of a pair of colorful tropical birds nestbuilding high above the palms. . .look carefully!

bleeding hearts for my friend, Marianne

lilies that could have been fashioned from bolts of silk

In April the sweet showers fall
And pierce the drought of March to the root, and all
The veins are bathed in liquor of such power
As brings about the engendering of the flower.

Geoffrey Chaucer / Canterbury Tales (modern version)

(painting: The Girl at the Gate--1889--George Clausen)