Thank you Carol.
December 15, 2012
Bloom Day: Shattered Blossoms and Fallen Fruit
It almost seems insensitive to carry on with something as trivial as Bloom Day in light of what happened yesterday in Connecticut. The senselessness of the act and the resulting grief are equally unimaginable to me. As I am sure many others have stated, these acts should make us ask some serious questions regarding how we screen and treat for mental illness, and how easy our seemingly unlimited access and fascination for all manner of firearms makes these acts of cowardice and tragedy possible. Perhaps the most important question we must ask is what is it about our society the creates people capable of such evil. Maybe this time we can do more than just ask questions, maybe we can get some answers and act upon them. In the meantime, hug your family, spend time with friends and tend your garden.
Thank you Carol.
Thank you Carol.
As a father of two young boys, I wept several times think of when they were in kindergarten. Tough day for all of us.
ReplyDeleteYour Yuletide camellia is amazing and so timely. It's one of my favs.
Beautiful photographs, Les. When I am a bit sad or heart sick, I can always find some consolation in the beauty of nature, though the enormity of this tragedy beggars belief.
ReplyDeleteLovely!!! This certainly has been a great year for camellias. Yours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you have used your bloom day post to take a stand. I think we are all overwhelmed by events like this and react by retreating to our ordinary lives when what we should do is press for change.
ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteWell said. After sending letters to my Senators asking them to face up to the NRA I couldn't take thinking about this senseless tragedy anymore. My heart pours out to those families. Your pictures are so appropriate.
I'm curious what that little red camellia is. As to the violence, I think we only need to look at TV, the movies, video games to see how permeated our culture is by violence. Sex, except in carefully regulated forms, is prohibited because, of course, sex is evil, but blood, smashed flesh, mass murder on TV is fine for the masses. What screwed up values our society has.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as always. Natural beauty is a balm to grief, I've found.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to de-bunk bumper sticker comments like "Guns don't kill people; people kill people" for the manipulative and empty slogans that they are. One of China's mentally disturbed adults attacked 22 children with a knife within the time frame as the CT tragedy. Last report, all 22 of the Chinese children survived the attack. "The same could be accomplished with club or bow and arrow" - yet another fallacy of denial we keep failing to challenge w/logic and common sense.
I questioned whether I could do a Bloom Day post after seeing the reports of that horrible senseless tragedy. But for me, I find comfort in the garden. And I found comfort in viewing your beautiful photos. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteWe must move on and live our lives but also act to make changes.
ReplyDeleteYou set the right balance with your post today Les.
I had similar hesitation about posting after the tragedy in Connecticut. Your thoughts are very much on target. For myself, I deal with politics all day long at work, and garden blogs are a way to ensure that I am able to spend time appreciating beauty and the natural world. But there is no way to avoid having a heavy heart. I truly hope we see some leadership and courage from our politicians, as well as a demand for sensible change from ordinary citizens.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts on this tragedy. But the kid gets too much power as we all change our lives over his senseless and evil actions. I refuse to let him influence how I live my life, where I choose to see beauty, not the evil he brought to this community and nation. Glad he took his own life and did not pass the cost of his lengthy trial onto the taxpayers. Being ill, he probably would have gotten off with far less than he deserved. You can see I could not have been a juror.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing you photos. They brought beauty to my day.
Your title is poignant Les. The beauty of your garden as seen in the stunning images here offers succor. It is utterly heartbreaking that our country is so sick and in denial. Nothing can bring back the precious life lost but if we do not act towards change this sort of senseless act will happen again.
ReplyDeleteI was shattered tonight to see those 20 sweet faces on the news. Such a senseless loss. But gardens and flowers have the power to sooth and heal. It was a comfort to me to visit a nursery in Highlands today and buy a plant.
ReplyDeleteI remember your post on the senseless violence that seemed to escalate yearly in neighborhoods around your alma mater. Here we are again. Gardening and nature are the best healers. Thanks for the pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Les.
ReplyDeleteI hope there will be more gun control too. Clearly our society cannot handle the freedoms that it has in that regard.
ReplyDeleteThe mental health care system in this country is not good, but other factors are families' awareness of these problems, willingness to get help, and ability to afford help.
I was shocked to here about this horrible tragedy. Huge Loss of precious lives. I tribute all those ill fated lives on this occasion by sending fresh flowers of sympathy online. I will always pray to Almighty God to protect all your beloved children from evil.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that why we plant gardens? To find some beauty and peace when the real world gets overwhelming. I take comfort in your images and words.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteLovely Bloom Day post Les!
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful. I love the carpets of colors that vary with the seasons.
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