Never lose an opportunity of seeing
anything that is beautiful
for beauty is God’s handwriting
– a wayside sacrament.
Welcome it in every fair face,
in every fair sky,
in every fair flower,
and thank God for it as
a cup of blessing.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
We have an abundance of potted plants. They fill the nooks and crannies in the garden and soften the landscape the sometimes seems to go on and on. They bring much-needed color into the hardscape of pavement and wood.
Potted plants need more water than those who are rooted in the ground – and they need to be fertilized from time-to-time. That time had come here and so it was on a close to perfect morning that I set about with a watering can and determination to feed my potted plants. I must admit that I was a bit like Mary, Mary quite Contrary as I went about this task. The watering took me away from a chore I was not enjoying; editing submissions for a newsletter , late-comers that were not to specifications. I needed some time to clear my head and the pots needed tending, so there I was, doing it slowly for all the backside bothers I’ve had, putting powder in the watering can, filling it to the brim, then watering, pot by pot by pot, doing the deck first. By the time I was through, I swear there were blossoms smiling at me in mass appreciation.
The watering can full again, I took to the steps and tended to the pots on the driveway. These are larger pots and they were very thirsty, so, I needed to make a few trips up and down the stairs, then off I went to the front, hauling the watering can, which was easier than lugging the hose all the way up front, which is where I spotted Emerson’s “wayside sacrament”. A hummingbird was darting about, up and down shrubs and in among ferns. She was so busy that she did not notice me, nor the fact that I had just watered the fuchsia where the hummingbirds usually go for sweet nectar. I finally realized that this little wonder was looking for the blossoms of Rose-of-Sharon.
As you might imagine, in my excitement, I spilled the fortified water all over my feet. I wonder if it will help my toenails grow?
I love hummingbirds and am delighted that they have returned and are usually found sipping on the fuchsia, which is strategically positioned just outside our living room window. They also frequent bee balm out in the prairie and even come up on the deck. Yesterday, one stopped for a sip on a single stem of bee balm I had cut for a small vase.Tom has noticed them on the blooms of Zeus and Aphrodite – drinking from the flowers of the gods.
I took it all in; the fair faces and flowers, feeling very thankful for my “cup of blessing”.
Today I walked an alpine trail admiring the fragile small little wildflowers growing between the granite.
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Nature is often quite determined. I always smile at these little “volunteers” that manage to find a spot to thrive. It must have been a lovely walk, Gerlinde.
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Thank you for sharing your cup (or cups) …. your yard is full of blessings. I’m enjoying the blessings of urban living here in Oregon, but those do not include hummingbirds in my backyard, so I especially loved seeing yours!
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Hi, Sallie. Indeed, it is full of blessings. I’m looking forward to reading about your urban adventures this summer, especially now that you will have the whole of the summer living there (as opposed to finding a place last year).
The hummingbirds have been coming to a few select flowers on our deck. Love seeing them. Happy 4th!
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Penny, I enjoyed walking around your garden with you. There’s something about a watering can that quietens the mind and turns watering into a meditation. I’m sure the blossoms were smiling too, and probably humming you a little tune.
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I”m so glad you could join me, Juliet. 🙂
What an interesting observation, and so true; there is something soothing the quietens the mind when watering. I had not thought of it that way. I often tell people how much I love watering the plants. I tend to refer to it as mindless, but, now you have put me into a different frame of mind. It is a form of meditation. Such glory in nature!
Thank you, Juliet.
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I loved reading this. I think gardening is a perfect meditative occupation. One puts complete focus into it, and it ends up relaxing you, and quiets those busy thoughts that often are all over the place.
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It is meditative, Nan, I agree – and truly is something I enjoy doing. I sometimes think of it as a wandering prayer.
By-the-way, I still refer to the Emerson book you sent me quite a few years ago. While I don’t open it every day, I open it often. 🙂
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I wish I could transport you to design a tranquil landscape for us. You would make it a heaven on earth. While I have angel statues large and small, my plants have disappeared for a variety of reasons. I do still have the tiny four o’ clocks that the hummingbirds visit yearly. While they have not started blooming yet because of the last removal, pruning, they will be back.
With that in mind, as we were feeding the 3 geriatric cats their evening meal in the garage this week, I looked up and there was a hummingbird! She was hovering inside the door!!! I said, “Oh, no, no, no, go back out, go away, quick, quick!” And then I said the man, “DO SOMETHING!” He was in a trance but the cats were too. They never even saw the precious bird. Off she went out into the hot afternoon evening. I wish I had told her to just wait outside the door, her 4 o’ clocks would soon be back. They are a hearty plant!
Happy July 4th!!!
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That is such a delightful story, with a happy ending once you broke your husband and the feline trance! I’m thinking that hummingbird was searching out the four o’clocks, instincts guiding her to your garden. We’ve seen them here, in early spring, hovering up to the living room window, which is where I always hang a fuchsia, which they frequent.
I love four o’clocks, Marilyn, but haven’t planted them here. They are not hearty here and treated as annuals, but, the seed packets are inexpensive and the flowers so sweet. I used to mix them in with morning glories and moonflowers, thinking I was quite clever. 🙂 Note-to-self to plant some four o’clocks next year.
Thank you. Happy 4th to you as well.
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What a lovely walk with you through your garden of blessings today, Penny! Watering truly does feel like a gardening meditation. It’s a perfect way to make the blossoms and the gardener smile. 🙂 What a joy it must be to have hummingbirds in your garden! I must watch for them among our bee balm blossoms. I have only seen a few hummingbirds in our garden over the years. Wishing you both a Happy Independence Day! I’m on my way to the garden now to pick a red, white, and blue bouquet! ♡
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It is a joy to have hummingbirds, Dawn. I think I’ve mentioned that I’ve never had luck with feeders, but, they come to the salvia and bee balm, Rose of Sharon, and especially to the fuchsia.
I’m sure your patriotic bouquet were part of a great 4th. The weather was good for parades and tonight is good for fireworks, too.
Thank you, Dawn.
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Just this weekend I was at the Huntington Library with my cousin and I spent several minutes just staring at documents written in Emerson’s own hand. His works always inspire me. And I love the reference to a wayside sacrament. I know that feeling! I love the way you describe the ritual of your watering can and delight with you in seeing your little hummingbird friends. You’d be fascinated to see the hummingbirds in my area and the way they draw deeply from the thin blooms that come even from a succulent or cactus flower. I don’t have any fuchsias or more delicate flowers that I once did, yet hummingbirds grace my garden and find nectar in some of the most unlikely places. They do bring joy and I’m going to remember this post, Penny. I love “wayside sacrament.” I need to memorize your beautiful opening quote! Thank you for that.
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How inspiring that exhibit must be, Debra. What a treasure your Huntington Library and grounds are. I love that, too: a wayside sacrament. It called to me some time ago and sat around waiting for the moment to use it – the hummingbird provided it. 🙂
Oh how I’d love seeing your hummingbirds. It is amazing, isn’t it, where these little beauties find nectar. I have learned, over many years, that while the big blossoms give zing to a garden, the small blossoms bring different beauty.
Just as I’m commenting, thinking of you memorizing Emerson’s quote, I’m thinking of what a great wall plaque this quote would be in an unexpected spot in a garden. Just: Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful for beauty is God’s handwriting– a wayside sacrament. Hmmm . . . a project some day. 🙂
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Beautiful post!!! Love the wayside sacrament!
I so wish I could see some hummingbirds.
The flowers in the yard at my apartment sadly aren’t as well tended as yours. But I enjoy them nevertheless.
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Thank you, L. Marie. Isn’t it a good thought? I love it, too.
We never had more than one or two, now and then, in our other house. I was delighted when I first discovered them here and have slowly learned what to plant to attract them.
Sometimes, oftentimes, gardens such as your are the last thing to be tended by staff, unless there is someone who really likes flowers. I’m sorry yours isn’t that well cared for, but, glad there is something to see. Gardens lighten our spirits.
I hope you had a nice 4th. Too many trees here to see any fireworks, but, we sure could hear them.
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Wings, two legs or four, I think everyone can find solace in a garden. You’ve done a fantastic job with yours, it’s really lovely.
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I agree – and I thank you. This was so very kind of you to say – and just what I needed needed right now and I gather the courage to tackle the weeds.
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Weeds can be lovely, in their own wicked and wooly way.
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