I had to run to the grocery store for a few things on Saturday, and they had a display of Easter flowers right by the front door. I picked up a pot of three hyacinths to inhale their heady fragrance, decided I needed them, and carefully placed them in my cart.
Later I came to the floral department and saw one of those mini orchids and it was in an adorable bunny rabbit planter. I felt like I had to decide whether I wanted the hyacinths, the orchid, or neither of them, but in a complete departure from my usual, I bought both. They make me happy every time I see them!
Jess
texted me last week to ask what time they should come over for Easter and could she bring anything. Easter has never been a big holiday for
us and I honestly didn't feel like cooking a big meal, but for a
few moments I did consider making Easter dinner for just Justin and Jess. Ryan was
playing D&D and wasn't willing to drive for an hour for a meal he
didn't really want. I ended up telling Jess that I didn't have anything
planned but maybe we could get together next week so I could hear about
her trip. (She just went to the Galapagos!) She said that was fine; she
and Justin would go fishing. I didn't have to do something that I didn't
really want to do and I needn't have worried that I was going to hurt someone's feelings.
I was working outside on Sunday when I noticed that a bunch of my grape hyacinths had spread (or the squirrels spread them) and were now blooming in the yard rather than the flower beds. My mother had a fairly strict rule that outside flowers were meant to be enjoyed outdoors and we were not allowed to cut them and bring them inside. (Why? I have no idea!) I often still stick by the "rule" and leave flowers outdoors where they bloom. But since these were in the yard, I picked them and brought them inside before John mowed them. I'll be 68 in a couple of months, so I guess it's finally time for me to do what I want to, even if what I want to do is relatively minor.
These are all small things, and while I don't see myself throwing caution to the wind, heading to Atlantic City to gamble our retirement savings, and taking up with a suave and handsome Italian gigolo, it is interesting to see that I can break some "rules", do some things that make me happy, and nobody gets harmed when I do that. Who knows, I may even order some yarn that I've been lusting after, take a nap, or eat three of my homemade peanut butter bites just to make sure I've really learned this lesson. Better late than never!
I confess Bonny... this post brought a tear or two to my eyes! And though my hyacinths have not spread (or been spread) everywhere yet... I did carefully snip three little blooms and bring them in and put them on my "desk" and while their fragrance is not overpowering like their bigger relative... the hint of hyacinth fragrance that wafts occasionally from them is the greatest delight of the day! I say yes to doing more things that fall in the "simple pleasures" category... which flowers are absolutely top on the list!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for buying both flower arrangements, saying no to making a dinner you didn't really want to make, and bringing the outside flowers inside (not to argue with your mother, but "inside flowers" only get to be that way by cutting them from where they grow outside and bringing them in!). I think we all need things that make us happy and fewer things that make us unhappy, so high five to you!
ReplyDeleteA lesson well learned I say! And best to practice it regularly. LOL. How cool that Jess went to the Galapagos!! She seems like an adventuress gal for sure. The hyacinths you bought are so pretty and the orchid (and bunny planter) is beautiful. Our grape hyacinths have migrated into the lawn and also into our gravel driveway!
ReplyDeleteI am also working on evaluating whether ingrained habits serve me and my contentedness. Recently I have stopped doing a lot of things and started doing a lot of other things. I think you should continue to do things that help you find your joy, Bonny! I am glad that you bought both flower pots instead of denying yourself some pleasure. I think it is very grounding to enjoy small everyday pleasures, especially in the current environment. Buy that yarn!
ReplyDeleteI ALWAY love it when we discover that we are grown-ass women and we CAN DO WHAT WE WANT. I can't believe that was . . . so squelched out of us as young women. But here we are, breaking rules and buying up orchids in adorable bunny planters and throwing caution to the wind about celebrating Easter with a family dinner no one wants in the first place. BRAVO, my friend! You are an inspiration. XO
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I hope to think of you and your hyacinth AND orchid and the "inside flowers" throughout my day today -- so they'll bring joy not just to you, but me too. And maybe I ought to bring in some flowers. We have a few brave tulips in the front bed if they wind didn't get them yesterday.
ReplyDeleteIf thinking about all of my "inside flowers" brings you joy, this will make me happy in return, and on and on we go. It's just an endless cycle of joy! Thank you for providing joy on your end and go cut yourself a few brave tulips.
DeleteThese are valuable lessons, Bonny, and really show us that we can do WHATEVER WE WANT despite what we were told when we were younger. I am a huge fan of cut flowers indoors and I'm glad to see you embracing that. Plus homemade peanut butter bites for the win!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have been able to resist those flowers either. Especially the hyacinths. They always make me happy. I can't bring any flowers in the house because my cats eat them. Silly things.
ReplyDeleteMr. Turtle doesn't look like he enjoys having his photo taken. I can relate.
I rationalized the hyacinths since they smell wonderful now sitting on my kitchen table and I'll plant them outside and they'll hopefully look good next spring, too. I felt some kinship with that giant Galapagos tortoise also.
DeleteI was super excited to be invited to my sister's for Easter so I would not have to do anything myself. I love all the flowers that you gathered in one week. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteMy mother liked any excuse to bust out the good china, including Easter. We've usually done *something* but this year, nothing special at all... with zero guilt! Easter often falls in the midst of a lot of birthdays around here, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love your little bouquet of hyacinths. And look at all the buds on that orchid!!
yay!!! so many "rules" are stupid - especially the ones you broke :-) Those flowers are making me smile, too! I ended up being home by myself on Sunday ... it wasn't awful at all. I made a turkey wrap for dinner, and read my book at the table (that's one of my favorite stupid rules to break).
ReplyDeleteAmen. It is time for all of us to break a few rules, especially ones that don't hurt anyone in the process. The orchid in the little bunny planter is darling. We just put our feet up on Easter and didn't go anywhere. We ate our brunch at 4:30 p.m. because that was when it was ready and we were hungry.
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