Rose

 

I've been on the lookout for flowers lately, as so many are still around and haven't lost their petals due to the lack of our usual rain.  This rose was still in beautiful condition for late September.  I've always been a fan of the pink and yellow combination.

Sunflower

This sunflower graces a corner of the Lettered Streets' Gossage Garden, no doubt brightening the spirits of many who pass by. According to the Victorian "language of flowers" I recently referred to in my recent daisy post, the sunflower sends a message of pure and lofty thoughts. I had no idea sunflowers had any aspiration beyond being pretty and providing really yummy seeds.

Daisy

In Victorian England, different flowers had certain meanings. This was called the "language of flowers," and a bouquet of flowers during this time was never just a bouquet of flowers. It was a message-- red roses for love (that one's still around, obviously, thanks to 1-800-FLOWERS), pansies for "I'm thinking of you," amaranth for immortal love (take that, red roses!), and so on. 

Anyway, the reason I bring it up is because despite some real stretches of imagination with the language of flowers (a bouquet of oats to symbolize music, for example) the plain little daisy means innocence, cheer, and simplicity. Of course it does-- look at it! How could it be anything else?

So here's a daisy to bring a little cheer and simplicity to your day. Innocence? Well, I'll leave that up to you.

Meerkerk Gardens

This last weekend we went camping at South Whidbey Island State Park. (We lucked out with the weather, as you can see-- apparently it was raining in Bellingham all weekend. Yessss!) Along with the usual camping activities of hiking, beer-drinking, beach combing, fireside storytelling and s'more-making, we visited this magical place called Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens.  

Meerkerk Gardens is a not-for-profit rhododendron garden, with acres upon acres of beautiful rhodies like these... 

...and these...

...and these!

The Rhododendron is Washington's state flower.

Dandelion Dreams

Do dandelions mourn their silvered friends

who have flown away on the wind?

Do they know they'll be together again?

It will all begin again.

I've had a house full of sick kids...

...so I haven't been out taking pictures.
Here is a get-well tulip from a friend.
I thought it was preferable to a picture of a sick kid.

A Hint of Spring

It was supposed to be a long, hard cold winter

but after several weeks of spring-like weather its starting to feel like winter is over. Many of the trees in our yard are budding out already and the honey suckle already has leaves. We'll hope the weather holds so these early starters make it!

Cathedral Rock

Last weekend I went backpacking in the Alpine Lakes wilderness area. Although it's not Bellingham, Cathedral Rock is a Washington State icon, and one I felt worthy of a spot in the Bellingham Daily Photo! It was cold and overcast most of the time, but the sun came out just long enough to kiss this flower with light before disappearing again.

Sunset Pond

behind the half-empty strip mall

beside the busy interstate

just before industrial Irongate

you can find beauty

at Sunset Pond

Rhododendron

Although the rhododendron blossoms are long gone, I couldn't let another year go by without posting a picture of some. This rhodie is in our backyard, and I took the picture last month. The rhododendron is Washington's state flower, and there are some beautiful gardens around dedicated to them. Of course I didn't manage to squeeze a visit in to them this year, but that gives me something to look forward to next spring!

Buzz

This big-city bee
busy with his brothers
hustling and bustling
jostling like taxis
on pink parade streets

Am I Blue?

This pretty glass flower always catches my eye when I head down the stairs to my workout at the Y.