Shine

All my life - I have loved flowers.

I remember the first time a boy brought me flowers - the grown up kind -

flowers from a florist.

I was 15.

He wanted to invite me to a "Chicago" concert.

But I wasn't allowed to date until I was 16.

He hoped the flowers would impress me - but also my mom. If he brought me flowers, she had to agree to let me go to the concert . . .right?

They were roses.

They were beautiful.

Red. Velvety.

Beautiful.

I was flattered - and we "dated" for about a week.

We did not, however, go to the concert. Mom wasn't that impressed.

Oh well.

Later in life - more boyfriends - more flowers.

Lots of roses.

In fact, a single red rose was the way my husband asked me out for our first date.

Then roses became a significant part of our married life.

They were used to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, encouragement, I'm sorries, just becauses . . .

And they were beautiful.

Red. Velvety.

And very grown up.

I love roses.

But their meaning has been a bit tainted for me now.

And they were never my favorite - I  loved them for the sentimental reasons attached to them.

Truth be told. . .

If given the choice -

If I were standing in a field of every kind of flower imaginable and could only pick one kind of flower,

there is no question what I would choose.

SUNFLOWERS!

They are, without question, my favorite.

Always have been. Always will be.

Bright. Sunny. Happy. Warm. Proud.

They stand out and tower above everything else.

Sunflowers.

The way they stand tall in the garden, following the sun throughout the day.

They are actually quite magical.

Every year, I plant them in my garden.

And every year, I am deligthed to find extras pop up thanks to the squirrels and birds.

Generally, by the time the beautiful blooms are nearing the end of their life, the squirrels step in.

I smile as the I watch them climb up the thick stalks and chew of the heads.

Then they spend the next couple days gathering all of the seeds.

The birds swoop in to get their fill as well.

Natures birdfeeder.

My sunflowers are not blooming yet - but they will be soon.

And they will be a daily reminder to me to "Shine".

Commercial message . . .

this weekend is the Silverton Fine Arts Festival in Silverton, Oregon.

A beautiful, quaint little community.

If you are in the area, it is going to be sunny and warm. Come meander through the trees and enjoy cool shade and great art, music and food.!