Tag: seeing the beauty

The Plant Wipes

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My daughter stood in the doorway and said, “Your room has such a vibe since adding that plant.” I agreed, and a couple have been added to her room, but she’s been forewarned “If you come home one day and your room is my new studio, you stayed gone too long.” 😂

Hill Country Water Gardens began as an Artist date, but now it’s routine for immediate inspiration. I’ve written about it here, and it’s my happy place, but instead of looking for flowers for the yard, I discovered the magical, massive greenhouse filled to the brim with houseplants. That’s where the plant wipes were stacked as a display and just seemed like they would add value to my life and the plants.

You saw the smallish Fiddle-leaf Fig in the post, The Plant Stand, and that one is doing so well, I purchased a larger version for my bedroom. I don’t know if you noticed the tree in the feature photo of Queen of Everything, but that’s Jordan’s Fiddle-leaf Fig. They’ll get huge if you let them. The leaves are large, but I noticed over the weekend they love to collect dust. Well, that simply won’t do.

I brought the plants wipes home, opened the container which was reminiscent of baby wipes. Pulled one out, laid a leaf in my hand, and wiped the entire surface. I started at the top and worked my way down, one leaf at a time. The wipe began turning black, revealing evidence of dirt from each leaf. I’d discard it, grab a fresh one and keep wiping. It was a meditative experience.

I learned things about the plant being that close up, and they say working with your hands is food for the soul. Maybe that’s why I’m happiest in the yard with dirt covered hands. As you can see, there’s no dirt on this plant thanks to an odd little item we’ll remember as the plant wipes.

To Be Bothered

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I’ve been told, “Life isn’t a fairytale”, but I live like mine is. The people who are a part of my life see it. Every now and then, I watch a romantic movie to be reminded of the love I know is out there, because I’ve lived it.

I may have recently watched the Nicholas Sparks movie, ‘The Choice’. The kind of love portrayed in this movie is rare and not for the faint of heart. It’s difficult to find someone willing to fight for this kind of love. When they wrap their arms around you and hold you tight, your entire world falls apart and lands at your feet, but the pieces pull back together better than before.

I work a lot, so the man will need to insert themselves into my life and not be afraid to take up space. I know he’s there because I’ve had the kind of love described here. The kind that when you spend time together, you could write for days because your heart is so full it wants to spill all over the keys.

Back to the movie, they are neighbors and bother one another to no end. He plays music loudly while she’s trying to think and gives him hell for it. In one scene, he starts walking slowly toward her, and she’s becoming uncomfortable that he’s walking so determined and with intention. Once he reaches her and they’re standing nose to nose he says, “You bother me.”

The other day a man called, and I didn’t hear my phone ring. I sent him a text, telling him I was sorry to have missed his call, but he’s welcome to call back. He said, “Well, I don’t want to bother you.” To get to the fairytale, I want to be bothered.

Before and After

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There’s a chapter in my book about a pillow. The chapter is referencing how things fit into our life at just the right time, and this particular chapter reflects on yearly increments. A year is a long enough time span where changes are easily seen, but what about the month to month changes, or better yet, the daily ones?

I’ve heard, “The moment between before and after is called truth.” I took a photo of the pillow for the book and just came across it on my desktop. It revealed how much my life has changed in two months time. You know me, anything less than a year is considered brisk. Here’s a glimpse into my before and after.

Taken March 28, 2021.

Looking at this picture today, I find it interesting that I plopped the new pillow in this weathered and worn wooden chair for it’s photo shoot. My intention has always been to paint this chair, but haven’t been able to decide on a color. Even though this chair is well made, it’s not very comfortable to sit in for any length of time.

I envisioned the front porch having comfy chairs, that invite you to sit for as long as the moment requires. Like curling up in your favorite chair in the den, I wanted a similar feel for the front porch. Barb went on a mission to find two outdoor chairs at a reasonable price. Life offers a series of clues that assist in making quick decisions. When I found these chairs there were only two of them sitting on the showroom floor.

Taken May 15, 2021.

I used this photo a couple of posts ago in To Be Seen, but that pillow has taught me a lot since then. The pillow is made for outdoors, but doesn’t sit well in rain. It rained the entire month of May, and storms hit fast. I forgot the pillow was sitting outside, so it got rained on. When I stepped outside to retrieve it, the yarn that makes up the wheels on the vehicle had bled, and it looked like the wheels were crying.

I washed it and it looks better, but I can still see faint signs of it being left outside in the storm. Sometimes we have to sit through some rain, and our wheels may feel like crying, but afterwards we will see a difference in before and after.

Let Them Go

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I love mornings. It’s the start of a new day and is full of possibilities. Sometimes it’s easy to feel the effects of the previous day. A conversation with someone didn’t end right, or a misunderstanding may need resolution. Try not to bring yesterday into today. Look at this day for what it is, a new day and realize that yesterday is in the past.

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The past can ruin your day. Choose to stop dragging it around with you. If someone hurt your feelings yesterday, or made you mad, Let It Go and move on. If you are an important part of their life, they will reach out and let you know you are loved. The past doesn’t define us but it will refine us.

Don’t hold a grudge. A grudge is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Try not to let the sun go down on your anger. When I go to bed angry, I always wake up feeling miserable. We’re not responsible for anyone’s words or actions except our own. Be the best you can be, and trust in knowing you are more than enough.

Enjoy this beautiful day. If you’re not seeing the beauty, it may be time to clean up your playground. Cut the ties that bind you to negativity and unhealthy relationships. Your life can be beautiful if you choose carefully. Treat yourself with the respect and kindness you deserve. If others cannot then they shouldn’t be there. Let them go.

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