"ODE TO TREES"

TREES provide us with the air we breath. TREES  symbolize permanence  amid  change ....  In the aftermath of a tornado the " Grand Lady" wishes to dedicate this poem to the three, 100 plus year old tree friends that  were destroyed.

It is so easy to take  these tall plants with trunks for granted, never acknowledging the  significant influence, that they have had, on the urban landscape and memories of our life...  It took only five minutes for the forces of nature  to dance in on the wind  and destroy the peaceful shade of the yard. This sudden awakening has  encouraged me to take more notice and pay more attention to the frail state of mother nature and her beauty.  Please join me in paying tribute to the mighty powers of nature.

Here's to the passing of these venerable giants and the history that they have witnessed... Sleep well old friends !!!! The Grand Lady , lovingly  dedicates her favorite childhood poem .

TREES

by Joyce Kilmer ( 1886-1918)

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast:

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

"HARPING HEAT"

It was an expiring day  .., ( Ha Ha)   I mean inspiring day  in the garden of the Grand Lady.... Tah Dah ... The often boastful peony was shyly hugging the newly painted  timbres of the house, trying to stay out of the heat of the sweltering sun.

Yes , it was  very  humid too, so I of course was  wearily  fanning myself and wondering where there was a swimming pool. Alas that luxury is not mine, so a bathtub would have to do, later in the day... (Splish Splash)

Yes, the heat was getting to me so upon exiting the garden, I paused to  pick the languishing peony and two lovely roses that begged a grand showing in the magenta pink hue of the music room. 

Although the music room is still being decorated  and in a very unorganized state.... I thought it fitting to adorn the room with  the  first blossoms of summer. The tea rose  provided a much needed perfume to the musty paint smells,  while the peony presented itself eloquently beside the china lamp.  What else could I do , but pull up a chair, turn on some  harp music and have a cup of tea. It's amazing how relaxing ice tea, music and a biscuit can be  in the swells of the harping summer  heat. 

"FENG SHUI "

 Alittle Feng Shui please... The Grand Lady  is taking on renewed energy while becoming a somewhat new persona as a painted lady... oops  ... or should I say , modern girl.  

 The Victorians ( 1837-1901)  were typically a passionate generation who loved a dramatic effect in their homes.... so I thought .. Why not " Magenta Pink " ..Whoa...Put on your sunglasses !!! 

I was dancing on the edge of the color wheel and listening to the whispers of the room  when I chose this color... My fingers were crossed and  I did alot of  praying, as the paint brushes licked the walls.

Of course the painters thought I was a mad lady  and did infact bring sunglasses the next day ( Ha Ha) ... I said ... Just you wait !!!!  ( GULP ) The truth was, I was alittle scared !!!

Since this was my space, I wanted a ' hot version' of the much gentler, feng shui pink  and realized that  magenta pink, would actually fit beautifully into the feng shui  decorating palette... I also  knew, that the right color would bring a strong shift of energy into the environment and create soothing yet creative   energy for my musical tastes.

It seemed as if my mind was  wrapped in rose colored glasses, as everything kept coming up in fushias and wild pinks ... like the big beautiful peonies that grew in my grandmothers garden. ... like my favorite  damask roses, like the blossoms on my father's beloved plum trees. When they bloomed, all the world was filled  with " Magenta Pink " ...   I used to lay on the grass, dreaming and drifting with the petals,  softly floated all around me. Definately, this was a color from  my inner childhood days...and it was a comfort zone. 

Funnily enough,   I had bought this 200 plus year old mantle from an old Virginian Plantation, that a local artist had lovingly painted.  Although , I do prefer natural wood, this artistic rendering of flora and fauna stole my heart.  I just didn't know where I was going to put it, but bought it anyways..... Wouldn't you !!

My husband  shook his head, my daughter stared at me, in dismay and  I smiled..... Often people question what an artist buys and this mantle was no exception... It sat around gathering dust, until the music room was painted... Now, newly moved into the ' magenta pink '  aura ....  the old mantle has become the center of attraction ...  creating a  delicate yet soothing effect  to the room. It has literally become the heart of the music parlour .... At least until the piano moves in!!!  Stay tuned as the " Grand Lady continues her dramatic and passionate  transformation.  

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"THE LANGUAGE OF ROSES"

Do  you speak the language?  In Victorian times sending flowers was a serious matter of the heart. Emotions were grown on the petals of roses.

Today I 'd like to send you all, a  rose of happiness and jovialaity...May your day be filled with  sunshine.

 AND ..... Just incase you're picking flowers or thinking about  sending  flowers  as a gift here's  a  sampling list of rose colors and their meanings ...  HAVE FUN !!!

PINK: respresents grace, elegance and gentleness.

LIGHT PINK:  stands for gratitude and appreciation.

WHITE ROSES:  innocence, purity, reverence and humility, but can also mean silence and secrecy.

RED AND WHITE : together or WHITE ROSES TIPPED IN RED: symbolize unity

YELLOW ROSES: denotes jealousy in Victorian times but are now given to express joy friendship, gladness and freedom.

RED AND YELLOW ROSES:  together signify happiness and joviality.

CORAL and ORANGE ROSES : convey enthusiasm and desire  and say ," I am proud of you ".

BLUE ROSES: are associated with fantasy, the impossible, miracles and new possibilities as no blue roses truly exist in nature.

PEACH ROSES:  are a symbol of modesty.

Now wasn't that an easy Victorian Lesson  in the Language of Roses .... ENJOY YOUR ROSES !!!!

" HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY "

Wishing you all a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ".

"PROGRESS"

IT'S MAY ..It's May the lusty month of May ....I'm forever singing this song from the musical " Camelot "... especially since the nice  weather has arrived... I want to throw open the windows, breath in the spring air and  enjoy my music room... The picture above is my " Maytime  vision" .... A perfect  time shift into an earlier seeming perfect era.....

 Well... " in my dreams" ... because this is what I really  have... Yes,  alas ... the house is  still a mess.  It is a crushing blow to the singing heart  !!!!

Never fear....  Patience is a virtue ( True) ...The Ceiling expert has put a whole new dawn into my day by plastering the ceilings and walls. ( Doesn't take much to keep me happy)   Next  are the  moldings, now won't that be exciting... 

Tra-La ... It is time for singing the laurels of May ...Won't you join me !!!!! ...  and ... I still have HOPE for a Camelot and a nice cup of tea !!!!

" HAPPY EASTER "

Wishing  you all a blessed and Happy Eastertide. 

"I think of the garden after the rain;
And hope to my heart comes singing.
At morn the cherry blossoms will be white,
And the Easter bells will be  ringing!"

Written By; Edna Dean Proctor