Impervious to curious stares and half-hidden giggles, I waded into the flowers in front of Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant in Tallahassee to snap photos after lunch today.
I had to crawl over a barrier to get to these pretty blossoms. Yes, I’m a rule breaker.
Sheepishly I shrugged my shoulders at a watchful employee, “They’re so pretty,” I explained.
He just grinned. Thankfully no one called the petal patrol to take me into custody.
Peace, people!
I found these lurking in my front yard. 
The best thing about photographing flowers is that, for the most part, they remain stationary. 
And they never blink or need their makeup refreshed.
And they make me happy. We need more happy.
Peace, people!
bright flame draws the moth
fleeting flicker captivates
brief celebration
plumage speaks volumes
come to me sweet lady bird
dance within my wings
bright blossoms to bees
irresistable teases
purple siren call
Studly Doright took me out for dinner last night for an early Valentine’s Day celebration. He also bought me a bouquet of tulips in a box. You know, the kind you have to assemble yourself?
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore receiving flowers, but part of the romance is lost if I have to cut the stems, pull the leaves, and mix up that floral cocaine that keeps the flowers fresh. So this year I said, “Thanks, hon. Now you make ’em pretty for me.”
And miracle of miracles, he did! I know I’ll need to do a little fine tuning here and there, but at least he took the plunge. And that’s the definition of love. Taking plunges.
When Studly asked me out on our first date, he took a big, scary plunge. For all he knew I’d turn him down cold, yet still he asked.
Our first kiss was a plunge. I’m not sure which of us initiated the touching of lips to lips, but it was pure bliss and it was the moment I realized I might already be falling in love with this crazy, funny, smart(ass) boy.
And even though Studly was 99.9% sure I’d answer yes when he asked if I would marry him, that, too was a plunge.
Studly and I have been wed for almost four decades, and we’re still taking plunges. We plunged in head first on having children. Every one of our cross country moves has been a plunge. It’s been a veritable plunge-a-thon!
With any luck, the biggest ones are behind us. But those little ones, like watching my big, handsome man arranging my bouquet of flowers, I hope we have many more of those.
Peace, and Happy Valentine’s Day, people!
Smell the rot
beneath the roses,
steeped in mud
around the bower.
festoon the arbor
all you’d like
the stench remains
through eyes’ delight.
arranged bouquets
stripped bare of thorns
from loamy mulch,
are petals born.
My birthday flowers,
a thoughtful gift from my son
and his lovely wife,
look as beautiful
today as they did Monday
and smell heavenly.
Thank you Jason and Liz!
I. Around the corner
Lurk petals ready to bloom.
Spring where have you been?
II. When robin first sings
All nature stops to listen
Welcome back my friend!
III. My heart is stirred by
Lengthening days, earth’s rebirth,
Warmth of soil and sun.
Praying for Eyebrowz 