At present, the only way to maintain my sanity is to shut out some of the daily news barrage and concentrate on what's right in front of me. Here are the bright spots that boosted my spirits over the past week:
 |
| This is Iris germanica 'Autumn Circus'. A friend gave it to me in late May and it produced its first bloom in the middle of our heatwave. It's a reblooming variety. |
 |
I rarely see dragonflies in my garden, probably as it's a relatively dry place but I caught sight of this one over the weekend and it was kind enough to pose atop Cordyline 'Renegade'. My best guess is this is a female or immature male variegated meadowlark (Sympetrum corruptum). I read that the Native Americans believe that a red dragonfly foretells a period of rejuvenation following a period of trials and hardship. I'm hoping that's true!
|
The third bright spot was another neighbor giveaway, not of plants or citrus this time but rather cut flowers. My cutting garden reached its zenith during our heatwave. While I cut a lot of the blooms to decorate our house and passed others along to friends, I thought it'd also be a good time to leave some for neighbors to find. I cut them yesterday morning and left them on the curb late yesterday afternoon.
 |
I put the flowers, mostly dahlias and zinnias, in glass ice tea bottles and packed them in a beverage carryall supplied by the market on a recent visit
|
 |
They were a little too tightly packed so I dug out another carryall to give each a chance to shine
|
 |
Here they are on the curb. All but one were gone this morning.
|
The fourth pick-me-up was giving to the
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, my fifth donation this year, this one prompted by yet another story on the food insecurity plaguing this, the richest nation in the world. The situation was already bad before the pandemic but it's worse now and the man who calls himself President and the Senate he controls haven't been willing to come up with the additional coronavirus relief assistance so many people badly need. Instead he's promising to provide this
after the election.
House Speaker Pelosi's assessment of the situation seems right on point to me. If you're in a position to give, consider a donation to your local food bank. It may do your heart good too.
All material © 2012-2020 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Oh Kris, what a wonderful gesture to put flowers out for people! I'm sure that was immensely appreciated! As I'm sure your food donation was, too. We all need nourishment for both our bodies and souls.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful omen to see a red dragonfly, now that I know the backstory. I'm going to throw all my energy behind thinking that is true, and back you up by telling you that I too, saw a red dragonfly a couple of weeks ago. I have no photo to prove it, but my sighting will add weight to the collective. Better times are coming!
I truly hope so, Anna!
DeleteYour neighbors must love you - it's a beautiful thing, 'sharing the love.' <3
ReplyDeleteI'm happy if people enjoy the flowers and next year just happen to consider growing some of their own!
DeleteYour thoughtful gesture would have been sure to lift the spirits of its recipients, Kris, and the flowers are so bright and cheerful as well. I hope the arrival,of the red dragonfly really does bring you better times.
ReplyDeleteThat iris is just gorgeous.
I hope the red dragonfly signifies positive change not just for me locally but for my country and the world, Jane! I'm not asking for world peace (although that would be nice) but just a bump in the right direction for all of us.
DeleteActions speak louder than tweets, and your actions are kind and generous.
ReplyDeleteMany red dragonflies in the garden here lately, hovering above the pond. I hope they indeed are a good sign.
Yay for the dragonflies! I think we could use a massive swarm of them. My actions didn't amount to much in the larger scheme of things but then a lot of positive little things on the part of many people can lead to big things.
DeleteMay the red dragon bring you and your area the best of conditions. I would love for my neighbors to be so generous. You are so right about the giving. It is good for everyone. My good friend has an iris that looks very similar to the one you have posted here. I drove into her drive the other day and there it stood in all its glory. I just stared. It brought me such joy to just see it. Cheers and big hugs.
ReplyDeleteThe friend who gave me the Iris was surprised to learn that mine (a division of hers) was blooming now. It encouraged me to invest in a few more of the reblooming types, not that I traditionally have great luck with getting bearded Iris to bloom even in spring.
DeleteYou are such a good neighbor--to your close neighbors and your community. And cut flowers, too! Bless you. You're right; giving is as good for the giver as the recipient.
ReplyDeleteI've given more to a greater variety of causes than ever this year I think, Beth. Like gardening, it's one of the things than helps me get through the circumstances we're currently facing.
DeleteSo easy to miss out on the positive and beautiful things in our lives when so much negativity and despair surround us. Reaching out to others with a little of that beauty definitely spreads a little joy.
ReplyDeleteIt is really hard not to get buried by what's constantly coming over the news feed, Elaine. I've thought about just turning off the news entirely for a nice long detox but I'm a little afraid to do that when there are maniacs in charge.
DeleteA flower giveaway? Won't you be my neighbor? Generous thought and a delightful executing. The bearded iris bloom is stunning, and being a gift from a friend makes it even more special.
ReplyDeleteAs election season about to reach its peak, I'm hanging on to any ray of hope; if it comes in the shape of a red dragonfly, so be it.
I'm putting a lot of store in that red dragonfly myself!
DeleteBeautiful flowers for the neighbors! I'm sure you put many smiles on their faces...and food in other people's tummies.
ReplyDeleteI hope I brightened at least one person's day, Loree. I was surprised that the flowers went more slowly than the agave pups but then I'm sure that doesn't surprise you at all!
DeleteSo kind of you Kris to share your bounty of flowers with all your neighbors. There is a lack of kindness these days, and I'm sure others appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI love that iris. It is a beauty and so fantastic that it blooms more than once. What a delightful fall treat. It could almost fool one into thinking/wishing it were spring again.
Fall is often called the "second spring" here, Cindy. As our heat is still on and off, we haven't experienced much of the second spring bounce yet but I'm hopeful it's coming.
DeleteThank you for informing about the symbolism of the red dragonfly: any offering of hope goes a long way for all of us. Your beautiful flowers brings a positive ray of light not only to the recipients of those you left out, but also to all of us reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay!
Delete