This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 at 8:27 pm and is filed under If I Were the Queen, Let's Get Personal, Photos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I am not a girly-girl. I’ve never treated myself to a manicure, I have less interest in shoes than most men, and my blow dryer last saw action several months ago when I removed one those flashy stickers some companies like to plaster all over their products. And yet.
And yet I am all about rainbows and butterflies and chirping birds and, yes, flowers. Not on t-shirts or binders or anything plastic and decorative, you understand. Just in reality, in this dimension.
Which is why I’m loving this summer so very much. Flowers are everywhere, blatantly growing and spreading and blooming. Three volunteer rosebushes sprouted in my vegetable garden, globe mallows are sweeping up and down the hillsides, and wild irises are grinning like lunatics in the mountain sunshine. It’s an obscene rainbow of blossoms carpeting everything outside of town except the rocks and asphalt. It’s like the Disney Channel, except no princesses.
What’s great about flowers, beyond the fact that they are nice-looking and they usually smell good and they stand still when I try to take pictures of them, is that they make no pretense whatsoever. They are all about the pollination, their petals and perfumes and colors brashly yelling, “Come and get it!” to any passing insects. It’s hard not to admire such honesty, especially when packaged so prettily.
Alas (if one can use such a word in 2009) this year the ridiculous abundance that overtook the local flowership completely skipped every fruit tree I know and love. Our neighbor’s apricot, which hangs halfway into our backyard, always produces enough to make any self-respecting fruit-lover sick to her stomach. This year, though? Only leaves. The plum tree? Nothing. Peaches? Not a one.
Only the Bing cherry in our front yard deigned to bring forth anything remotely edible – lots and lots of gorgeous cherries, swinging merrily in the early summer breeze. No doubt they were delicious, too. I wouldn’t actually know, you see, since the birds cleaned off the branches exactly one day before I planned my harvest. They did look yummy, though, plump and juicy and deep, sweet red.
Hrm. Now that I think about it, I take back what I said above about liking birds. Greedy little suckers. Flowers, though. Those I still adore. And rainbows and butterflies, of course. And once our trees start making fruit the way God and the garden center that sold them intended, I’m sure I’ll start liking them again, too. Check back next July, and I’ll let you know.
Obligatory flower photo. This one’s in our front yard.
July 7th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I am very disappointed to hear about the lack of plums and peaches!! …I do have to say that I may be even less girly than you are (although I have had a pedicure a few times, and love them), and I LOVE flowers. The real ones, of course. I would love to see some of your mountain flower pictures!
July 8th, 2009 at 9:27 am
So sad about the fruit trees! I loooove cherries. I think I’d have been tempted to get out my beebee gun! (Just kidding, of course). At least you have the flowers to admire.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I’m pretty girly–and I do love my flowers, and fruit trees, and rainbows . . .
July 8th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I’m not that girly either.
I really loved this post, esp. the line with “obscene rainbow”. Great wording!
That’s so cool how you have fruit trees! Ours have yet to blossom.
I just made a cherry pie the other day. Yum. Have fun with those.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:10 am
@Katie – At least you wear makeup!
And, yeah, I can definitely share the mountain photos, though I have tons of them so I’ll have to narrow them down first!
@Dara – If only I had actually seen the birds! But I didn’t; one morning the cherries were there, and the next they were all gone. Otherwise I never would have let those birds near – though I would have just gone over an waved my arms at them like a lunatic or something to scare them away.
@Alyson – And the girly thing totally works for you! I often wish I were more girly, but I just like comfort too much. *sigh*
@Jessica – Thanks! I have fun playing around with word choice. I swear half the time it takes me to write a blog post is actually spent just playing around with the words I’ve already written!
July 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Love your photo! I’ve been noticing the flowers as I walk my dog. Bing cherries have been really cheap now by us — nice and plump and sweet. I’ve been eating a lot. All the fruits are delicious.
July 8th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Oh, those rotten birds! lol Lovely flower tho.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I love flowers too! And a cherry tree? That’s vera cool
Hopefully next year you’ll be faster than the birds. We planted a garden this year and you’re right, we have to keep those pesky birds out of the way!
July 8th, 2009 at 11:37 am
One of my biggest reasons for loving flowers are the photos and the fragrance! At least if you didn’t get much fruit, you still had plenty of photo op time. The picture you shared looked fabulous. =)
July 8th, 2009 at 11:48 am
@Edie – Thanks! And, yeah, at least we’ve been able to get Bing cherries for cheap since *some* people didn’t lose all theirs to the birds! I was just excited because it was the first year this tree produced fruit. Next year, I guess…
@Kristen – LOL! Yes, rotten birds indeed.
@Katie – I think I’m going to use netting next year. I hear that can help, and then maybe I won’t have to pick the cherries before they’re ready just so I can get them before the birds. Am crossing my fingers that it works.
@Erin – Tell me about it! I always stop to smell flowers when I’m out for a walk, and they’re the reason I splurged on my fancy macro lens for my camera.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Ooo! I’m envious of your flower bonanza. My garden is only so so this year. Producing blooms then going dormant fast. I had daylilies for like a week!
And weird about the fruit trees, my nectarines came in abundance. But as you mentioned, my tangerines did not produce a single fruit and the lemons were like lame-ns.
Somethin’s up… ; )
July 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I’m sorry to hear about the lack of fruit! I love flowers too. Sadly I only get to see them in all their glory for about 2 months before our Canadian climate (AKA winter) sets in.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Wow, that picture is lovely! I especially love the little dew drop.
July 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
@Suzanne – Really? Nectarines in abundance? I’m jealous. I think ours were killed by frost. Oh, and LOL at “lame-ns”!
@Natalie – Oh, wow- two months!?! Hope you like snow more than you like flowers!
@Hilarie – Thanks! I got it right after a rainfall, and positioned myself just so because I wanted the raindrop in the photo.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Hah hah sadly no. It can be pretty for the first day or so… but after that? Brown slush. Cold brown slush.
July 8th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Such a great photo! Down the street (OK, way down the street) there’s this huge flower garden (so big they host tours) on these small hills where they create art with their flowers–the American flag is the most recent. I really enjoy driving past and seeing all of the beautiful flowers!
July 8th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Lovely photo. I think it’s the vivid colours of flowers that get us in, plus their lovely fragrance. I’m also a bit of a girly girl. But can be a tom boy at times.
At present I have pawpaws growing in my backyard but no flowers. Winter is so cold if I was a flower I wouldn’t bloom either.
Did you take the photo with a noraml camera, or is it a pentax etc?
July 8th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
@Natalie – I remember those days. We had them when I lived in Ohio. Seemed like that ugly brown slush/snow combo could last an entire winter like that.
@Jessica – That flower garden sounds gorgeous! I would probably drive by all the time just to see what they’ve done next – even when the garden isn’t on the way!
@Suzanne – Thanks so much! As fo the camera, it’s a Nikon d60 DSLR. I used a Sigma macro lens for this photo – it’s my favorite for closeups. I think I used a tripod for this particular one, too, since the light was getting low. Oh, yes – and I was huddled under a broken umbrella the whole time because it was still spitting rain and I didn’t want my camera to get wet. One of my less comfortable photography experiences, but I was happy with the results!
July 8th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Sorry to hear about the lack of fruit. My miniature horses got to our fruit trees and I don’t think the trees survived.
I would love to have you review my book, Alvor. Drop me a line.
July 9th, 2009 at 7:13 am
You decorated your blog with flowers.
Very tasteful, though, and understated. Summer is coming slowly, here. I’m still wearing a sweatshirt, LOL.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:31 am
You are so right about the flower explosion this year. Even I managed to grow a few!
July 9th, 2009 at 9:28 am
@Laura – That’s awful! Not only did they take out your fruit, but the entire trees, too? As for Alvor, I have your address.
@Thanks, Natasha. I actually did that a long time ago, but I think the topic of this post just makes them more noticeable. Hope summer shows up soon for you. It’s already July – you should be roasting!
@Mama Zen – That’s wonderful! Aren’t they beautiful?
July 9th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Lol, yes, they do stand still when you’re taking the picture, and whenever a breeze comes into play, it’s not their fault. =)
To Caryn,
Thank you for visiting my blog and for leaving a thoughful comment. It made me feel better when I read it. When I come across a book reviewing request and find I won’t be able to give them a good review, especially if the author themself is requesting it, I politely decline. For the latest book I had reviewed, I thought I would enjoy it, but certains things go turned around. Thank you for sharing your experience. =)
July 9th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Pretty pic, Caryn. And the fruit trees in our neighborhood are gaily decorated with fake owls and long reflective strips–so at least people get to eat a little of the fruit!
July 9th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Caryn, your photography is stunning! I *love* the photo you posted. Gorgeous. Wishing you blooming fruit trees in the future, bearing varieties of all your favorites…
July 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
I’m not a girly girl either, but flowers? Those I adore. Thanks for visiting!
July 9th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
@Linda – Yes, but those breezes are definitely a pain! They always come up just when I’m getting ready to snap the picture. Such timing!
@Conda – Thanks! And I love the idea of the fake owls and reflective strips. I may have to do something like that next year.
@Marilyn – Thanks so much. And here’s hoping your good thoughts for us come true. My husband just announced that he wants an orchard, so maybe that will increase our odds some?
@Abby – So I’m not alone there? Excellent.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Ah, nature. As soon as you plan one thing, she throws a flowering monkey wrench in your way. If the results weren’t so beautiful, it’d be rude.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Yay! Another chick who’s never had a manicure. I don’t feel so bad anymore.
And nothing turns my head faster and makes me stop in mid-stride to take a second to admire butterflies and gorgeous flowers.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Aww, so sorry about your cherries. Damn birds. What happened to the other fruit trees?
July 9th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
@Pam – Dear, you never fail to crack me up. Well, when you’re trying, at least.
@Marcia – When I go on walks around the neighborhood I *always* stop to smell flowers. Every time I do that around someone else, they tease me but, hey, aren’t we supposed to smell the roses? I’m just following advice.
@Mari – Frost. Frost is what happened to the other trees. Sad, isn’t it? They were all in flower and everything looked so promising, and then we suddenly had our coldest weather of the winter – in the spring.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Not to mention birds will poop on you if you don’t watch carefully enough. I got suckered into a pedicure one time. I’m kind of glad I did because now I can really say, “No way in Hell” and mean it because, “Yes. I have tried it.” Over an hour stuck sitting in a chair. That is all I can say. It felt OK? But over an hour stuck in a chair. *shuddering* Please don’t ever do that to me again. Work is bad enough, but at least there I can get up and walk away.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:00 am
I’m kind of a cross between super girly and super tomboy. I love pedicures, rainbows, flowers, dresses, jewelry, handbags, but then I love to get dirty, play and watch sports, and drink beer.
Happy Summer!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:28 am
Me thinks I am quite a girly girl… I just love rainbows, butterflies, flowers, all things beautiful – but then who doesn’t
Engaging post and great photo!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Gorgeous picture, Caryn! I’m sorry you don’t live closer to me! Our apricot tree gave us some delicious fruit! I hope next year finds those fruit trees in abundance! And I too love flowers and butterflies – and hummingbirds, we’ve had quite a few in the backyard.
Have a great weekend!
July 10th, 2009 at 11:08 am
@Mizzz K – LOL! So true. Just a few months ago I was reading a book outside, and suddenly there was a huge splatter on the page. I suppose the bird didn’t like the book any better than I did…And good to know about pedicures. Plus it seems like they would tickle, which is one reason I don’t handle foot rubs well, either.
@Keri – Yes, I can see that about you! I’m the same way – a mix of each, I suppose, though probably leaning a little more toward tomboy. Except for beer, which I never have developed a taste for. Yuck! Give me wine any day.
@Good point, CathM – It probably takes a pretty hard-hearted person not to at least secretly like rainbows, flowers, and butterflies – even if they won’t admit it!
@Thanks, Robin! And, yes, I do wish we lived closer to each other, and for more than just so we can eat your apricots!
July 11th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Beautiful pick. Im not a real girly girl either but I do love flowers…
July 11th, 2009 at 11:52 am
I’m all about flowers too, despite also being totally <i>not</i> about shoes. I actually get annoyed with people who imply that of course <i>all</i> women are just gaga-insane about SHOOOOOOES! [eyeroll]
When I’m travelling, if I have my camera (which is a 50/50 thing and didn’t happen this last week in San Francisco) most of my pics are flowers. I’ve never thought about it that way before, but you’re right — it’s great that they stand still and let you take their picture, LOL!
Angie
July 12th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Fabulous pictures! My mum has a wonderful garden in Southern Spain and her flowers are incredible – like you say, almost like the Disney channel w/o the princesses! (there are some pics of it on my Facebook profile….)
July 15th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
what a great picture! i wish we grew something in our yard…besides weeds.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
So sorry you missed the cherries–I would have been so frustratingly peeved. Lucky you have your flowers–the ‘Disney Channel’ comment was a great image! You make me miss the mountains too!
July 17th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
That is yet another great pic!
I’ve left you an award over at my place :0)
July 20th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
That’s a lovely photo!
I find flowers amazing. And rainbows and butterflies too… Not forgetting streams and waterfalls, of course. We live in a beautiful world.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:21 am
What a beautiful flower. I can see how you’re so inspired. I loved your line about wild irises grinning like lunatics. Hope you are well
July 26th, 2009 at 2:36 am
Our ORNAMENTAL plum tree produced miniature plums! I’ve managed to snag 5, but the crows are having a hey day!
July 27th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Hi Caryn!
We’re all dried up here. I’m losing my plantings as we speak (water restrictions plus 100+ degree temps for weeks). They say we should get some rain this fall but by the time that happens everything in the yard will be lost.
Great image! Did you take it with the camera you told us about? I’ve got to get me one of those cameras!!!
Have a wonderful day!
July 30th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
This has been the weirdest year EVER, here. It rains all the time! Which is nice in one way, since we are on a well and therefore don’t usually water much in July…so all the grass and flowers are still in bloom. But–well, rain is rain. And you know what that means. The beach sticker I finally broke down and bought hasn’t done me much good. Your pictures are lovely, though!