Tag: sunflowers

Sunflowers and Heaven

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Suzette Sunflower

I am dropping in today to share a poem my Wildflowers friend, Kim B, sent with a couple of sunflower photos–shared in a post earlier this year. It’s no secret that I love sunflowers, and this poem touches why they are my favorite. They are my reminder to turn toward our true Source of light in whose presence we see and know and are seen and known.

And that will be heaven
Evangeline Patterson

and that will be heaven

and that will be heaven
at last     the first unclouded
seeing
to stand like the sunflower
turned full face to the sun     drenched
with light     in the still centre
held     while the circling planets
hum with an utter joy

    seeing and knowing
at last     in every particle
seen and known     and not turning
away
never turning away
again

The poem almost feels like an exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13:12, through which we understand our knowledge will be complete only when we meet Jesus face to face:

For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known.

May you have a weekend filled with light and sweet moments in the presence of the Divine.

About the Image: Today’s standing tall sunflower image features the photo-work of my Wildflowers friend Suzette R who captures some of the most stunning sunflower images. This photo was the “main event” of the packet of floral goodies she sent for International Women’s Day.

Reclaiming April | Me Too

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scan_cmountain_2023-03-13-15-39-15_4

Thanks to T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland,” many of us are acutely aware “April is the cruelest month.” In fact, I began to panic about April a week ago because an event or line was added to my calendar and to-do list every time I read an email, answered a call, or left my office for a tiny break.

It is difficult for an academic to not encounter the cruelty of April. There is clearly a lot to do as the school year is winding down and we are preparing for board meetings, graduation, and all the other year-end activities.

Busy is not my favorite state of being. Some people thrive on having too much to do or on jumping from one thing into another. “Resting” is my natural state–not as in doing nothing, but as in taking long breaks from the grind and doing the things I want to do, the things that fuel my soul. And it has been far too long since I picked up a paintbrush, cut paper, made cards, quietly listened to music, or read a novel for pure pleasure.

As I fretted over how I would survive next week with zero time to “rest” (let alone April), my hubby reminded me to give it to God, that only He could ease the anxiety, so I did immediately. [Then, I began to write this post]. 🙂

I am determined to take a moment this weekend to plan the month carefully and build in time to breathe and take care of my soul. I figure–and I truly believe–even during the so-called cruelest month, the work always gets done.

My artsy Wildflower sister, Lori-Anne C, created [and sent] the absolutely stunning art that leads this post in celebration of women and friendship [purple tulips and a sunflower!]. She included a beautiful quote, which is both blessing and instruction. I hope that you will heed the words, take care of you, and reclaim April from the cruel grip of busyness.

May you have the courage this month to break patterns in your life that no longer serve you. Give yourself permission during this time to pause and reflect. And always remember, taking care of yourself doesn’t mean “me first.” It means “me too.” —Becoming Unbusy

Happy April!

Sunflowers and Kindness | “Life Be Lifing”

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Andrea Farthofer Sunflower

Based on the sighs I hear and the withdrawn, faraway looks in the faces of others, I know that many of us are not okay. I’m not sure if this is part of post-Pandemic languishing or malaise or if this is just life doing its thing. The reality is life can be stinging and burning at times, or as my blogging friend Kathy says, “Life be lifing.”

I wish we would admit that more. I wish more of us would be brave enough to tell the truth of our mental and emotional states. It would certainly make our loads a bit lighter, and maybe, it would free someone else to be open about their struggles. 

It’s not that misery loves company. We all need to know we’re not alone on the icky paths in life and we need to know we can navigate them and come through on the other side. We can survive these roads if we know we’re not alone, better yet if learn to walk them together. 

So, let’s do each other a kindness. Be honest about our feelings, and let’s check our judgment and leave space for others to be candid with us. 

About the Image: This gorgeous abstract sunflower features the work of my Wildflowers friend, Andrea F. She thought of me and my love for sunflowers while working on it. Like Sheila’s art, shared a couple of days ago, this piece sits in my planner and brightens many days!

Sunflowers and Kindness | The Ultimate Kindness

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Sheila D Sunflower

“Don’t just be good to others. Be good to yourself too.”

February has been a weird month. In fact, this whole year has been kind of strange so far. I was excited about the Kindness Week planned for Pics and Posts two weeks ago, but the “strangeness” caused me to drop the ball.

I needed all the energy to get through the days of über long meetings and random oddities. I’m coming to terms with reality—even if I can make the time, I sometimes don’t have the “vim and vigor” for anything extra. 

That is the kindness I am learning to extend to myself. I’m no longer pushing myself past E(mpty) and operating on fumes. I deserve more and my loved ones deserve better. 

And so do you.

Go out and do your good deeds, but remember the ultimate kindness is often to yourself. Be kind to you!

About the Image: Today’s sunflowers are from the water-color sunflower diva, Sheila D! She surprised me with these beauties about a year ago. They have been brightening up my planner, but I figure it’s time to share them with the world.

Sunflowers and Kindness | #WednesdayWisdom

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Sunnies from Livi2

Bring love wherever you go.
Shine light wherever it’s dark.
Leave blessings wherever you’ve been.
Be kind wherever you are.
-Mary Davis-

About Today’s Sunflowers: The random act of sunflowers in today’s post came from my niece-student, Liv Grace. She surprised me with sunnies and goodies for Valentine’s Day! Speaking of…I missed yesterday’s Valentine’s Day/kindness post because I was wiped out after spending a zillion hours in meetings. I’ll repurpose the post and share it later this week–or maybe, next Valentine’s Day!

Sunflowers and Kindness | National Random Acts of Kindness Week

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Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. –Desmond Tutu

It’s been a long time since we had a “Kindness Week” here on Pics and Posts, so in honor of National Random Acts of Kindness Week this week’s posts will be dedicated to kindness, compassion, and random acts of sunflowers.

Your first task is to visit the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation’s website, take a look around, download a few posters and tools, including the RAK Calendar, and get ready to do your part in “making kindness the norm.”

¡Hasta mañana!

About the Sunflowers: The sunflower photos in this post were grown and sent to me by my Wildflowers friend, Kim B. She risked being stung by bees to brighten my day. :-D. Thanks, Kimmy!

#WednesdayWisdom | Some Days and Sunflowers

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January Sunnies1

I hope by tomorrow I can unscramble the load of words bumping against each other in my brain. For now, please enjoy the words of Ullie-Kaye. Her poem manages to capture my “some days,” which have been going on for a week or two. Thankfully, though, there were sunflowers.

some days
ullie-kaye

some days are hard. and when they are,
i allow myself to feel whatever it is
that my body asks me to feel and i respect
the time it needs to fumble and flounder
and fall a little. some days i am swallowed whole
by things too big for me to hold.
and so i set them down. i rest, knowing
that even when i cannot slay the beast,
i can lay aside my sword for a moment and
work on protecting my spirit instead.
some days my heart beats like thunder
inside of my chest. it is heavy. and loud.
and relentless. it does not listen to the
part of me that wants to silence the storm.
and so i take my eyes off of the noise and
fix them on quieter places. on music. and art.
and heaven. and trees. and i show myself
grace in the dark. even if i am shaking my
way through it. because some days i still
haven’t caught my breath from yesterday yet.

Note: You can find more of Ullie-Kaye’s work on Facebook or Instagram [click links]. You can also purchase her poems–which always seem to resonate–as 5×7 cards here: Ullie-Kaye Poetry.

Musings from My Younger Self | Three Country Heartbreak Poems

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52Frames Week 10 Low Key

“Wilting Sunflower.” My submission for 52Frames Week 10: Low Key

Tonight I’m dropping in to make good on a promise I made last month—to share some of the “country heartbreak” poems of my youth.  I really have no idea what I was exposed to that made me write them. They might be based on songs I listened to, soap operas I watched, or even books I read. I repeat: I.have.no.idea.  By today’s standards, I lived a pretty sheltered life, so even though the subject matter of the poems is not comical, my knowing I had little to no first- (or even second-) hand experience makes these poems pretty funny to me. 

I wrote all three poems the same day, about a month after I turned 15. There was a note at the top of “Guilty” that “all grammatical errors were done on purpose.” 

Guilty! 
Chandra Lynn (Age: 15)

I turned my back
and you’re headed on another road.
Well, I’m glad you’re gone
‘cause I don’t want you no mo’.

Comin’ home late ev’ry night
wit’ whiskey on your breath;
I’m telling you now,
nothin’s happened, not jus’ yet.

‘Cause when I git started,
I’m gonna go rough,
‘cause it’s no-good punks like you
who make a woman’s life tough.

So when you’re found guilty,
don’t act like you’re surprised.
Your pathetic life
is gonna flash before your eyes.

Promises! Promises! Promises!
Chandra Lynn (Age: 15)

You promised you’d come back;
you said you’d be back quick.
You promised we’d get married;
you put me in a fix.

Well, now you are back,
only two years late;
now, you’re married,
and I’m not your mate.

You said you love me,
but how could you?
You’ve hurt my feelings
and double-crossed me too.

Now, here I am,
a heart as cold as ice;
I am so heartbroken
that I cry all night.

You made too many promises,
promises you didn’t keep.
You told me you love me,
but the love you had wasn’t deep.

Our Illegitimate Child
Chandra Lynn (Age: 15)

Life has no meaning now—
You have gone away.
I gaze out my window,
praying you’d come back some day.

Nothing seems to happen;
I guess, that’s how it’s meant to be—
I take two steps forward,
and you turn around and leave me.

Nothing or no one can replace you
or your smile,
only this one reminder—
our illegitimate child.

Yes. I know the poems are problematic and flawed, but as I told an Instagrammer who offered unsolicited tips on improving one of my “youthful poems,” adult me is going to let teenage me be who she was as a writer. If you’re not already following my Musings Instagram, click here to follow: Musings from My Younger Self.

Literary Wisdom: Sunflowers and Light

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You Are One of the Lights

I am thinking about participating in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) this year. I participated from 2016-2019, but I missed the last couple of years because the thought of blogging daily during the height of the pandemic was overwhelming. Now, I feel like I might need the daily distraction of Pics and Posts to help me stay sane. I’ll spend the next couple of days figuring out a strategy (and topics), and we’ll see how life goes. I already missed Day 1, so if I decide to post every day, I will end on December 1 instead of November 30. 

For today, I’m sharing a postcard from my Wildflowers literary sister, Gina B. Her postcard carrying sunflowers and light arrived just when it should have. In this quote from Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), Dr. Van Helsing enthuses over the work of Mina Murray who transcribes the diaries of Lucy Westenra, Dracula’s first victim. 

Here’s an interesting tidbit: I could not read Dracula. One of my graduate professors suggested the book for my master’s thesis, but I only read a little more than half the book before deciding against including it in my work. I was having very vivid nightmares associated with the characters and plot and simply could not allow myself to be tortured any longer. Despite the nightmares, there’s no denying the postcard Gina B sent presents a beautiful bit of literary wisdom!

There are darknesses in life and there are lights, and you are one of the lights, the light of all lights.