This photographic journal is by Maria Pavlik, co-creator of With My Umbrella, I Can: The Magical Journey of Penelope Puddle, in B.C., CANADA. (Header shot is by NASA.) “Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera.” - Yousuf Karsh
Last Rose Of Summer
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A single rose in my garden survived this uncharitable season for flowers. I grasped its stem for a photograph. Later, searching for accompanying material, Safe In my Garden came into view. Written by John Phillips and recorded by his group, the famed Mamas and Papas of the sixties, the song still resonates. At that time, the Vietnam War caused political strife in America. It was the era of flower children but the tune will always be timely. There is a never-ending juxtaposition of calm and chaos in our world, destruction and re-mending. To me, the words symbolize the profound beauty and refuge that blooms when we make room in our hearts and minds for our own inner gardens. Listen to the brilliantly contrasting lyrics and harmonies HERE and below.
The lyrical first words of the song are as follows:
Written by John Phillips
(no copyright infringement is intended)
Safe in my garden
An ancient flower blooms
And the scent from its nature
Slowly squares my room
And its perfume being such
That it's causing me to swoon
See OUR WORLD to explore more sights from around the globe.
Beautiful rose and I agree about how timely the song still is. Another one that I think continues to resonate is the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi. It's sad for me when pockets of trees in downtown areas are cut down and frequently replaced with additional parking. I miss the green that's a buffer in between tall buildings and find myself humming, "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot".
Folk music spoke to me back in the day. There doesn’t seem to be anything like that nowadays to express our outrage and sadness (or am I just too old to recognize it? That *is* a distinct possibility)). Your last rose of summer is a beautiful one!
The last roses are always the most poignant. Meanwhile here my roses are in full bloom - although it is summer here and very unseasonably hot early. Thanks for the music share. Lovely. Have an enjoyable week. I am visiting you today from Our World Tuesday.
Dear Penelope - The last rose in your garden is so beautiful. Mine will last till the first frosty morning. I hadn’t known this song, though I know Mamas & Papas. Your words made me realize the depth of this song, so I checked the whole lyrics. Remembering those time in 60s, students were radically protesting against the Vietnam War and closed system of universities in Japan, too. I’m recalling the world and the protest and message songs back then. Indeed “There is a never-ending juxtaposition of calm and chaos in our world, destruction and re-mending."
We need a resurgence of the spirit of the Vietnam era protests in an age when political norms are being turned upside down and access to the truth is getting harder and harder. As I look back on that period it was indeed a golden age.
"On the Web we all become small-town visitors lost in the big city." - Alison Gopnik President Joe Biden's inauguration was bursting with inspirational speeches and events. Heaven knows many who now breathe a sigh of relief also needed a good laugh. That's when Bernie stepped in with his cool attitude and awesome mittens. I couldn't resist joining so many others who included him in various ways in different spaces. I think he looks super cute and cozy on a sofa designed for the cover art of my Couch & Company story. Hope you enjoy it and explore more of the artistic side of life at Paint Party Friday . Still the kid I used to be Visit Postcards From Penelope Puddle and Penelope Puddlisms: BC Life Is A Whale Of A Ride to view more West Coast scenes. Because the state of our planet is the most pressing issue of our time, link up and learn about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report .
There it was ... a bright dollop of sunshine in a tangle of forest greens, browns and silvery grays. The yellow door snuggled against a tree said Fairy Hall and, in tiny faint lettering beneath, No Trolls . Oh, how I'd love to know what goes on inside Fairy Hall. I wanted to tap on the door but, a giant by comparison, I didn't want to cause a scare. I often take the Sandy Trail with its gravelly path, woodsy stumps, well-trod stairs, rabbits, birds and squirrels. I know every twist and rustling sound. But I hadn't noticed the small door before. This unexpected bit of whimsy magic tucked into the forest floor made me curious about what else was in the mysterious thicket I'd yet to explore. When I continued on my way, the trees leaned in ... as if they had something to say. Later, I found another fairy door (below), welcoming but only to a select few. See OUR WORLD to explore more sights from around the globe and SIGNS, SIGNS . Still the kid I used to be
Rain puddles vanished and a blast of scorching heat settled over B.C. recently, including in my region which reached 105 ° F at one point. Records were broken. (About 145 miles northeast in Lytton it was over 120 degrees; the entire village caught fire.) The air outside felt like a thick wall of hot steel. All fans were on duty indoors. The weather foretold of the wasteland that will arrive sooner rather than later if carbon emissions are not majorly reduced. Dozens of mostly elderly didn't survive the wake up call. At this writing, the heat is far less intense, thankfully. A sweet sense of normalcy has returned and the slight morning chill sits on my shoulders like a delicate shawl. In my neighbourhood, the birds are singing again and searching for treats. A different kind of wave also hit us all. I was relieved to get my second shot "to knockout Covid" on Canada Day . It was a perfect way to celebrate July 1st. Explore more at OUR WORLD . Still the kid I used
Beautiful macro shot of the rose and always loved the Mamas and Pappas ~ lovely song ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Moments to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Beautiful rose and I agree about how timely the song still is. Another one that I think continues to resonate is the Joni Mitchell song Big Yellow Taxi. It's sad for me when pockets of trees in downtown areas are cut down and frequently replaced with additional parking. I miss the green that's a buffer in between tall buildings and find myself humming, "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot".
ReplyDeleteFolk music spoke to me back in the day. There doesn’t seem to be anything like that nowadays to express our outrage and sadness (or am I just too old to recognize it? That *is* a distinct possibility)). Your last rose of summer is a beautiful one!
ReplyDeleteThere is a sadness attached to the last rose.
ReplyDeletewonderful this flower and the music!!!Thank you for your beautiful meaningful words!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm always excited to have the FIRST rose of summer....this is an extraordinary, BEAUTIFUL, image.
ReplyDeleteThe last roses are always the most poignant. Meanwhile here my roses are in full bloom - although it is summer here and very unseasonably hot early. Thanks for the music share. Lovely. Have an enjoyable week. I am visiting you today from Our World Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely!
ReplyDeleteDear Penelope - The last rose in your garden is so beautiful. Mine will last till the first frosty morning. I hadn’t known this song, though I know Mamas & Papas. Your words made me realize the depth of this song, so I checked the whole lyrics. Remembering those time in 60s, students were radically protesting against the Vietnam War and closed system of universities in Japan, too. I’m recalling the world and the protest and message songs back then. Indeed “There is a never-ending juxtaposition of calm and chaos in our world, destruction and re-mending."
ReplyDeleteYoko
We need a resurgence of the spirit of the Vietnam era protests in an age when political norms are being turned upside down and access to the truth is getting harder and harder. As I look back on that period it was indeed a golden age.
ReplyDelete