Zinnias

My sister is a wedding florist as well as teaches floral design at the community college here in Spokane. She's creative and playful, has a mess of grandchildren, and like me, likes to read and write and garden and create. Today, she is collecting hens and chicks out by Geiger Field for unique wedding bouquets. She's at that place in her creativity where the standard bridal bouquets don't do much for her and the stunning creations she's making are full of interesting flowers, including unripe raspberries, zinnias she grows in her own yard, and the hens and chicks she's gathered. I'm proud of her and moved by her process.

I just returned from a walk at Manito Gardens where I perused with my Spokane best friend the rose garden, the Japanese gardens, the formal gardens and the park in general. As we strolled along the grassy treed knolls I thought of the winter nights sledding the hill as a child, the sandwiches at the Park Bench with my ex, which my dad said the building used to be part of a zoo. Imagine a zoo in a centrally located park in a small town. A cute town with old bungalows with wood floors and built ins. Ah, my home town. I miss it when I'm away.

So my latest understanding of life it not to be attached to the ups and downs. Everything changes--I'm happy, I'm sad; I'm on creatively, I'm off; I'm feeling strong, I'm feeling weak: I love, I feel indifferent. My friend Brenda was telling me that these polarities can be lived more evenly. This is a theory from astrology too. Coming from the middle position of the polar opposites. Well, I find it challenging--although I think I'm better at not thinking what is will last forever. That's called hopelessness.

My sister is preparing flowers for a wedding she's doing tomorrow. It's a small one and won't take much time--she works fast. This afternoon will include a movie and then later a dinner out. There will be more relaxing time and time with friends throughout the week. The weather is hot and dry, but not too hot. This is good.

Onward,
Flower