Flowers

[Trollheart]

Well, just because I'm a guy doesn't mean I can't like flowers does it? Well I do, so there.

Over the last year or so I started getting flowers on a weekly basis for Karen's room - cheers things up, they look nice and the three Tasmanian Devils I gave her prior to that... well, let's just say they didn't work out.

Anyway, I'm no flower arranger but I've learned to do a few things, such as cut the stalks to the right length, pare off the leaves, match colours, all shit like that. Kind of looks nice. The garden will be blooming in a few months, and that's always nice too. I think flowers bring a real sense of beauty and colour into your life. I couldn't honestly tell you what a flower is by looking at it, other than a rose, but there are some lovely ones.

Anyone else interested in flowers? No? Just me then.

[Guybrush]

Not just you, TH I love flowers. I just suck at taking care of them. Few things can so effortlessly enrich and beautiful a space like flowers, whether outside or indoors.

One of my favorite things that we have is a golden rain in the garden. At least that's what we call them.



The bumblebees go nuts for it and I like to just stand underneath/ inside it and listen to their buzzing.

Too bad it's awfully poisonous

[ribbons]

Nice thread idea, TH!  That's a lovely flower arrangement, and so thoughtful of you to bring fresh flowers to Karen's room every week.  What a wonderful brother you are. 

Guy, I've never heard of a golden rain tree - but that is beautiful and unusual; must be lovely to have such a tree in your own back yard.  I also see that you have the proverbial white picket fence. 

I love flowers and enjoy keeping them around the apartment as much as possible.  I'm a bit of a tulip nut, especially parrot tulips.

These are currently in my livingroom - they are just regular tulips, though.  (You can click to enlarge.)

 

Sunflowers currently in my kitchen.  I snipped the long stems to fit the flowers in a bowl.



Usually in spring/summer/fall I keep a variety of potted flowers on the terrace (way too cold outside at present).

[Trollheart]

OK I should clarify: that's not my arrangement in the first post, just a random picture. I will however photograph the flowers in her vase and post them tomorrow. That golden rain thing is cool, Guybrush. Never saw anything like that before.

[Lisnaholic]

One of my favorite things that we have is a golden rain in the garden. At least that's what we call them.

Not as spectacular as your specimen, but that tree is fairly popular here - and it's called "lluvia de oro", so effectively the same name.

Yep,it's an interesting topic for a thread, Trollheart. Funny thing about guys and flowers isn't it? It really hit me one day when I was carrying a bunch of them on the London tube one day, how it wasn't the masculine thing to be doing. 

[Lisnaholic]

Nice tulips, ribbons, and who can fail to love sunflowers?

 

[Trollheart]

What really ticks me off is almost every other time, because I'm getting a taxi back home with the shopping, the driver will almost always quip "Oh are ye in trouble?" as if flowers can only be bought to say sorry. I know they're only kidding but it's like, don't apply your own low standards to me, dude. It's a reason why I hate Valentine's Day. So many people will go out of their way to buy flowers, chocolate, teddy bears etc to show how much in love they are, and then the other 364 days of the year be a right bastard. Like, why can't you do these sort of things all through the year? Is it a case of here comes the day I have to be in love or at least show it - oh thank god that's over; now back to normal we go. Gahhhh!

[ribbons]

Nice tulips, ribbons, and who can fail to love sunflowers?

Thanks, Lisna - I tend to like simple flowers, nothing fancy - and usually buy them at the local green grocer's.   

I have vaguely heard of Everything Is Illuminated, by the way - just looked it up, and now understand the sunflower/Ukraine angle.  I'd like to see that film - thanks for the tip!

[ribbons]

What really ticks me off is almost every other time, because I'm getting a taxi back home with the shopping, the driver will almost always quip "Oh are ye in trouble?" as if flowers can only be bought to say sorry. I know they're only kidding but it's like, don't apply your own low standards to me, dude. It's a reason why I hate Valentine's Day. So many people will go out of their way to buy flowers, chocolate, teddy bears etc to show how much in love they are, and then the other 364 days of the year be a right bastard. Like, why can't you do these sort of things all through the year? Is it a case of here comes the day I have to be in love or at least show it - oh thank god that's over; now back to normal we go. Gahhhh!

I'm not a fan of "Hallmark holidays" as we call them in U.S.; although I do observe many of them, so I suppose I've been socially brainwashed! 

You certainly show your love for Karen in the most selfless, meaningful way 365 days a year - flowers or no.  But nice that you toss in weekly flowers besides! 

Ironically, I just realized a work colleague's birthday is tomorrow; so in a last-minute scramble I ordered flowers for her from the 1-800-FLOWERS site.

[Trollheart]

What really ticks me off is almost every other time, because I'm getting a taxi back home with the shopping, the driver will almost always quip "Oh are ye in trouble?" as if flowers can only be bought to say sorry. I know they're only kidding but it's like, don't apply your own low standards to me, dude. It's a reason why I hate Valentine's Day. So many people will go out of their way to buy flowers, chocolate, teddy bears etc to show how much in love they are, and then the other 364 days of the year be a right bastard. Like, why can't you do these sort of things all through the year? Is it a case of here comes the day I have to be in love or at least show it - oh thank god that's over; now back to normal we go. Gahhhh!

I'm not a fan of "Hallmark holidays" as we call them in U.S.; although I do observe many of them, so I suppose I've been socially brainwashed! 

You certainly show your love for Karen in the most selfless, meaningful way 365 days a year - flowers or no.  But nice that you toss in weekly flowers besides!

Ironically, I just realized a work colleague's birthday is tomorrow; so in a last-minute scramble I ordered flowers for her from the 1-800-FLOWERS site.

Um, I don't know what to say! I don't toss, in anything... oh. Oh! OH! My mistake...!

[Lisnaholic]

Yes, I'd say Everything Is Illuminated is worth watching, plus a soundtrack worth listening to.

[ribbons]

Um, I don't know what to say! I don't toss, in anything... oh. Oh! OH! My mistake...!

Whatever you do, don't toss in Karen's flowers on Valentine's Day. 

[ribbons]

Yes, I'd say Everything Is Illuminated is worth watching, plus a soundtrack worth listening to.

I hear there are some balalaikas ringing out on that soundtrack.  I'll be listening.  🌻

[Trollheart]

This week's arrangements, for those who are interested.

[ribbons]

Those are pretty flowers, TH - love the bright colors!  You do everything possible to make Karen's situation more bearable and I'm sure it means the world to her.  You are really something else.   

P.S.:  Bonus points to you for not using baby's breath in those bouquets; I always think they make arrangements look contrived and unnatural.