In a painful year, the last several weeks have been especially bad, as hurricane after hurricane battered the US and the Caribbean Islands, a major earthquake hit Mexico, a madman attacked concertgoers in Las Vegas, the White House continues its chaotic bent, and fires now ravage large areas of California. Making donations to help those affected by some of these events feels like applying a band-aid when a tourniquet is needed. Honestly, if I had a hidey-hole somewhere, I'd have crawled into it weeks ago. But I don't and life goes on, making its daily demands and, like most of us, I put one foot in front of another and try to move forward. It's trite perhaps but the sight of natural beauty provides, if not perspective, at least temporary respite.
Here's the beautiful image that made my heart sing this week, if only for a moment:
 |
| This is a silk floss tree (Chorisa speciosa 'Laska Beauty') in the parking area of the South Coast Botanic Garden |
I hope you found a beautiful moment or two as well. For other Wednesday Vignettes,
visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2017 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Indeed that's quite lovely. If we can't find a moment of respite in nature and our gardens then where can we?
ReplyDeleteYes, my garden does offer respite, although "civilization" is still all too close.
DeleteThat indeed is a beautiful moment.
ReplyDeleteWe just have to look for them. I hope all is well on your end, HB. I heard that the Canyon fire 2 is now 50% contained.
DeleteWhat a lovely tree.
ReplyDeleteIt momentarily took my breath away, Rebecca.
DeleteWow! So very pink, and against that blue sky it really stands out. My garden is my hidey-hole lately. When I go for prolonged periods without getting out there to put my hands in soil, I can actually feel the depression and lethargy come on.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding it hard to get up in the morning, which isn't usually a problem for me. I probably need to phase the early morning news shows out of my daily routine.
DeleteGlorious! Nature's beauty does sustain us, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI do always feel better when I spend time in my garden. The trick is getting myself up and out there.
DeleteIt's beautiful! There's always beauty and hope. We just need the eyes to see it!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Sally. We need to count our blessings, do what we can to help where we can, and keep ourselves open to the positives.
DeleteI know just how you feel Kris; I've felt like this since the Brexit vote in 2016. One terrible thing after another. The state of the world is terrifying. Like you I take the simple pleasures on offer and relish them.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is certainly necessary to my sanity, Christina. Painful as current events are, my hope is that both the US and the UK work themselves out of their current messes.
DeleteThanks for this moment of beauty and peace in the midst of the world's turmoil. Gardeners are lucky to be able to find solace in such things. Here's hoping for better things to come.
ReplyDeleteHope does spring eternal, Peter!
DeleteThat is so beautiful (and I think silk floss trees are in my top ten for sheer beauty).
ReplyDeleteI'm having to shut off the news more or less in order to get anything done here - I feel a bit guilty about not "knowing" everything that's going on, but one does need to keep putting one foot in front of another, as you say... Gardens are such a blessing as they keep one in contact with the "real" world!
I keep saying I'm going to cut out at least the morning news (so as not to begin each day on a sour note) but thus far I haven't done it. Maybe tomorrow!
Delete