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Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Stop And Gather The Flowers - Laurean Brooks


My latest manuscript is now in the editor's hands, giving me a short window to relax. On Friday, I used that window to literally stop and smell the flowers.

On my walk with the dogs, I left our country road and crossed a large field on the return trip home. Beautiful elongated red flowers as far as the eye could see, beckoned to me. I picked a handful of these. I later learned they were Crimson Clover.


Golden Ragwort grew among the Crimson Clover. I thought how together they'd make a lovely bouquet. Then it struck me that a few white flowers were necessary to pull the arrangement together.


When I reached the house and saw the English Daisies growing at the edge of the yard, I knew they were my answer, so I added them to the mix . I thought as I admired them, that these wildflowers combined, are as pretty as any florist could arrange. I placed them in a vase and set it on my kitchen island. I was happy with them until...




...I ventured down the road to where a house once stood and discovered a cluster of white flowers with yellow-cupped centers. At first look, I thought they were Buttercups, but on closer inspection, I saw, unlike Buttercups, the petals were open.


These flowers have the heady scent of Jasmine, but the petals are different. After a lengthy online search, I believe these gems are White Narcissus. I added them to the bouquet. As I type this, the gorgeous bouquet is before me and I am inhaling the sweet fragrance of the Narcissus.   Ahhh...

We all need to enjoy the beauty around us and, if you can, bring some of it inside your house. 


Tell us which nature scenes you find most refreshing. Would you like to sit on the bank of a stream and dangle your toes in the water? Do you like mountain hikes, or would you rather lie on a beach and listen to the lapping waves of the ocean?

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This book will always be dearest to my heart because it is based on my mother's life and set in 1938. 

When the family's cotton crop failed, Jenny took a train north to find a job to support her mother and siblings. Not familiar with electricity,  she is first introduced to it when she catches up to the handsome blond stranger who has run off with her vanity case.

Jenny breathes a sigh of relief when she retrieves the bag--relief that she will never again lay eyes on the obnoxious Austin.

Wrong! Austin shows up at Aunt Violet's church to beg for money for his so-called mission project. But...is the money going for a mission, or into Austin's back pocket?

 Jenny joins the mission trip to help rebuild a town destroyed by tornadoes. What better way to keep an eye on the illustrious Austin? 

Her attraction to Austin grows by the day. One unexpected kiss makes her swoon. But then, Jenny spies Austin taking money from the mission strongbox. Does she have the heart to report him?


  

8 comments:

  1. I love your wildflower photos, Laurean. I like sitting inside the house and looking out at flowers. I'm NOT outdoorsy, but I also enjoyed our patio in previous years. This year, health restrictions keep me indoors. Hero planted red roses on two sides of the patio so I would have color to content me. By now we would have bought a couple of geraniums and flowers for a small bed in out front yard, but we're delayed this year.

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    1. Caroline, thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hate that health restrictions have prevented you from fully enjoying nature this year. But it warms my heart to know you can sit on your patio and enjoy the fresh air and the roses.

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  2. The flowers are beautiful. What a joy they bring to spring and everyone. Thanks for the uplifting post.

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  3. The place down the road that the house once stood would that perhaps be my grandparents' house or your mother in law and father in law's? I sure do miss visiting both.

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    1. Hi Elaine. I got those pics Google-free pics. They are the same flowers I found for my bouquet. And I love pics of old barns and houses. Your Uncle Rex's house no longer stands. The guy who bought the acreage took it down a few months back. It's sad to pass it.

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  4. You're welcome, Judy Ann. Thank you for commenting. Nature has a way of calming the spirit, and the beauty of flowers, plus the fragrance of some, lifts the spirit even higher.

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  5. Love, love, love those flowers. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Joan. And thanks for Sharing the post. I love beautiful flowers, too. They make a lovely adornment on my table and kitchen island.

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