Mum's the Word

December 5, 2013 Photo of the day: "Mum's the Word"

Flowers often hold diverse meanings across cultures. In France, mums are reserved for memorials, so I was warned never to offer them to friends or to bring them to dinner parties. In the Chinese culture, chrysanthemum represent a life of ease. Symbolic of powerful Yang energy, mums are thought to bring good luck into the home. In the Victorian language of flowers, white chrysanthemum represented honest and truth. Here in America, mums are often featured in holiday flower arrangements. My "mum" even carried mums in her wedding bouquet! Vive la différence!

Works of Art

December 4, 2013 Photo of the day: "Orchids"


French Impressionist Paul Cézanne stated that when he critiqued his art, he would place his work next to the work of God, a tree or a flower. If his work clashed with God's, it wasn't art. Writer André Gide affirmed, "Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better." These orchids are truly works of art!

Paper Birches

December 3, 2013 Photo of the day: "Paper Birches"

Birches in Peninsula State Park, Door County, WI - October 2013

I love birch trees.
Their paper white trunks standing tall and straight 
in start contrast against a forest of colorful foliage. 
Birches remind me of home.  
When I travel, I notice the absence of birch trees. 
Robert Frost was a big fan too: Birches. 


Birch trees have a relatively short lifespan, 
but even fallen birches are beautiful and useful. 
I have often been tempted to write 
on the layers of paper bark 
adding to their beauty 
with the words in my heart. 


But on this cold, damp evening, 
the comfort of a crackling birch fire
warms my heart and my feet.

*
"Fire is the main comfort...
as well for cheerfulness 
as for warmth and dryness." 
 ~ Henry David Thoreau

Holly Golightly

December 2, 2013 Photo of the day:  "Holly"

To paraphrase Ms. Golightly:
"[Monday]! It can't be! It's too gruesome!"

Mondays are especially gruesome after a long holiday weekend, after staying up too late Sunday night, and after being awakened by a screaming, malfunctioning smoke alarm at 4:00 am. I would have much preferred Breakfast at Tiffany's, but before I get the "mean reds," I must remember that Christmas vacation is only three weeks away. Holly Golightly has a unique way of putting things in perspective. For more of her wisdom and witticisms, read "Breakfast at Tiffany's: 50 Things to Love About Holly Golightly."  

Holiday Spirit

December 1, 2013 Photo of the day: "Deck the Halls"

Thanksgiving weekend has come to a close, but the holiday spirit of thankfulness continues. It's December already and I am entering the final month of my 2013 Project 365. My December photos will undoubtedly feature holiday decorations and traditions as I celebrate with family and friends. I am truly thankful for all of you who have followed my project this year, and I hope that you will continue to encourage me with you lovely comments in 2014.