Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Flowers of Comfort

columbines
It was a very difficult week for the Jewish people – some say Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar came early this year. This is not a political blog; I could send you elsewhere to read some important posts, such as this one or this one. And here’s one that is quite thorough on a recent topic.

I will just mention the word nechama – comfort. What do you do or say or post when you need comfort? I’m posting flowers from my garden. Above are the columbines of spring – now gone, except for the seeds. You can sprinkle the seeds from the spring columbines in a different place in your yard, and if conditions are right, you get more columbines!

Mexican poppies
I grow these Mexican poppies instead of grass on my front lawn. Unfortunately, they are only in bloom for a short time in the spring. I have to be careful not to pull them up when the flowers are done – it is easy to mistake them later for weeds. Some of the poppies’ leaves are now turning a brilliant red.

summer rudbeckia
Rudbeckia or black-eyed susan: one of my favorite flowers! These I grow all over my yard, front and back. They seem to be happy here.

summer lilies
Finally, here are some bright summer lilies. My neighbor was admiring these, and I told her I grew them by mistake! I probably pulled a lily in a different spot by accident and threw it by the fence. It took hold right behind a pink rose bush. I think the two look a bit silly together, but whatever.

Do you have favorite flowers? Do flowers bring you comfort?

Lorri M. says

Flowers are very comforting for me. They are a beautiful symbol for so many issues...life...love...special occasions...and comfort

Your post is a lovely tribute to the recent events in Israel, involving the Jewish people. Thank you.

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Leora says

Thank you, Lorri. Sometimes one has feelings to communicate ... but the words seem like clutter. Adding images always helps me to verbalize feelings. If one can verbalize with an image ...

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Lorri M. says

I am the same way...imagery helps me express myself.

The pain lingers, yet certain images comfort and help one to cope.

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Carver says

Beautiful flowers. I gain comfort from flowers and nature in general. Sometimes when I'm sad I will sit and watch the birds from my windows and they give me joy.

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Leora says

Nice to hear from you, Carver, and yes, watching the birds can be a comfort as well. I finally had a chance to photograph the baby robins growing in a nest next to our porch - I hope to post a few pics before next week's Nature Notes.

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Ramblingwoods says

It is so sad.... Children after all.... I think photos are perfect to convey your emotions. You know I go to nature for comfort and flowers seem to show great strength and fragility all at the same time like human beings....

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Leora says

Michelle, I like your note about how flowers show both strength and fragility. How true.

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Susan Cooper says

I love flowers. My favorite is daisies though. I call them "happy flowers." They look so cheerful and always bring a smile to my face.

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Donna@GardensEyeView says

My flowers always bring me solace. Lovely flowers you have there.

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