Good morning Danyce. You wrote: "The plant world is more complicated than meets the eye," which meets up so nicely with 'bluebirds are more complicated than meets the eye...' and ten thousand other things that are rather wondrous in ways we only really begin to understand when we sit with them, give our attentions to them, when we listen and observe... I wish for you an encounter and listening session in the company of such a wise whisperer. I suspect you will be able to hear and sense some of that profoundly calm, unseen, energetic presence. Namasté
This is a story which captivates me in many ways- the scientific facts of a wonderful partnership, the marvelous, delicate beauty of the flowers and the gift of being fully immersed in the wild while bathed in the light of the full strawberry moon! Just commendable narrative here, David. Thanks for taking us along on this sensory experience!
Jady, your generous note is a gift, unwrapped in early light while the coffee is brewing. Taken in combination you have offered me your time and attention, and left affirmation in reply that has the muscles of my still sleepy eyes, stretching into familiar and ever more worn smile lines, an exquisite start to a day that promises much. Thank you.
In just a few words you've not only explained the science behind the life of an orchid, you've woven wonder, stillness, and beautiful photographs together to illuminate a breathtaking, mystical world. You make me want to head into the mountains immediately to find something, anything - a stream, a field of flowers, a boulder - to sit with and listen to.
I would be right behind you on the annual pilgrimage. We have stunning Lady’s Slippers here in Vt, I refer to them as royalties of the forest. Seemly planted away from the forest ‘commoners’. I’ve rarely seen more than a few in the same vicinity. Always glorious and show stopping.
“Lady's Slippers of the Northwest woods” . Just wow.
Seeing them return every June , I remain hopeful that humanity will not annihilate the wild and beauty of our world.
On a side note, if 7th grade science class lectures sounded like this, I may have chosen a different career path.
Dearest Lor, I've spent time agog, staring at clumps of your Vermont native Lady's Slippers, but only once on a very humid afternoon. Your notes are always such a gift, full of smiles and things to imagine. They make me grateful. Thank you.
My dear Padawan! I've been sitting with mindfulness awhile, a long, pleasant while, after seeing & reading your moments spent with these magical beauties. Interconnections of this sort blow my mind and open my heart so wide---I want more of this knowing!
I stare at the seemingly fragile, delicate stems, their subtle colors & voluptuous shapes, and feel myself right with you as you kneel down in the still-dripping woodland---leaning in close, and closer---oh lovely plant-beings!
Thank you for this poem of balance and patience, of complexities and awe.
I'm so happy! Maybe one of their forms will appear as I drip my inks on slick white surfaces today...
Dear Toni, what treats you leave behind after your generous, soulful readings. I am always wealthy in new ways with things to imagine and consider. And I feel seen.
You wrote: "I'm so happy! Maybe one of their forms will appear as I drip my inks on slick white surfaces today..."
That is a gift and that is connection, whether they 'appeared' or not. I am ever grateful.
What stunning portraits that pay tribute to mystery of these exquisite beings and their reciprocal relationships. Your thoughts on the sentience of plants and the web of life are not woo-woo in the least, I am deeply convinced of it. Cypripedium reginae is the queen of lady's slipper orchids in my neck of the woods.
Lordy, Carmine, Cypripedium reginae is indeed a looker. I have not made her acquaintance, but I now know to hope. Thank you for making time to leave such encouragement and for this sprinkled trail of hope seeds toward your beloved queen.
Such a wonderful telling of the mysterious goings-on in the plant world. It puts me in mind to pick up Michael Pollen’s Botany of Desire for another read. Plus—as a long-displaced Bend native, you always take me back home to my beloved Oregon for awhile.
I have never seen one of these in the wild. I'd love to, someday.
I am clicking my heels together and wishing just such an encounter for you. It is transformative.
Thank you for sharing such a wow story. The plant world is more complicated than meets the eye…and I love Lady Slippers!
Good morning Danyce. You wrote: "The plant world is more complicated than meets the eye," which meets up so nicely with 'bluebirds are more complicated than meets the eye...' and ten thousand other things that are rather wondrous in ways we only really begin to understand when we sit with them, give our attentions to them, when we listen and observe... I wish for you an encounter and listening session in the company of such a wise whisperer. I suspect you will be able to hear and sense some of that profoundly calm, unseen, energetic presence. Namasté
This is a story which captivates me in many ways- the scientific facts of a wonderful partnership, the marvelous, delicate beauty of the flowers and the gift of being fully immersed in the wild while bathed in the light of the full strawberry moon! Just commendable narrative here, David. Thanks for taking us along on this sensory experience!
Jady, your generous note is a gift, unwrapped in early light while the coffee is brewing. Taken in combination you have offered me your time and attention, and left affirmation in reply that has the muscles of my still sleepy eyes, stretching into familiar and ever more worn smile lines, an exquisite start to a day that promises much. Thank you.
In just a few words you've not only explained the science behind the life of an orchid, you've woven wonder, stillness, and beautiful photographs together to illuminate a breathtaking, mystical world. You make me want to head into the mountains immediately to find something, anything - a stream, a field of flowers, a boulder - to sit with and listen to.
Thank you, Sarah. Truly. Your note is the sweetest music a storyteller could hope to hear.
Breathtaking, otherworldly, and oh so delicately silent. Your love and awe for the natural world are contagious gifts.
Namasté, my friend. And thank you for such a kind note.
Had me you did, Jedi Grand Master David, from that very first image onward ... and into perpetuity.
Thank you for this and those magnificent pictures.
You are most welcome, Lola. Thank you for your kind note.
I, too, am a woo, a forever crying woo.
This is a gift.
I would be right behind you on the annual pilgrimage. We have stunning Lady’s Slippers here in Vt, I refer to them as royalties of the forest. Seemly planted away from the forest ‘commoners’. I’ve rarely seen more than a few in the same vicinity. Always glorious and show stopping.
“Lady's Slippers of the Northwest woods” . Just wow.
Seeing them return every June , I remain hopeful that humanity will not annihilate the wild and beauty of our world.
On a side note, if 7th grade science class lectures sounded like this, I may have chosen a different career path.
I love this post!
Dearest Lor, I've spent time agog, staring at clumps of your Vermont native Lady's Slippers, but only once on a very humid afternoon. Your notes are always such a gift, full of smiles and things to imagine. They make me grateful. Thank you.
David, this is a breathtaking piece with breathtaking photos! Thank you!
P.S. I am a total woo, and loved all that.
Pamela, I'm immensely pleased that this piece struck a responsive chord in you and send a smiling wink of recognition in your general 'woo' direction.
Thanks for the woo wink David!
now I'm giggling.
My dear Padawan! I've been sitting with mindfulness awhile, a long, pleasant while, after seeing & reading your moments spent with these magical beauties. Interconnections of this sort blow my mind and open my heart so wide---I want more of this knowing!
I stare at the seemingly fragile, delicate stems, their subtle colors & voluptuous shapes, and feel myself right with you as you kneel down in the still-dripping woodland---leaning in close, and closer---oh lovely plant-beings!
Thank you for this poem of balance and patience, of complexities and awe.
I'm so happy! Maybe one of their forms will appear as I drip my inks on slick white surfaces today...
Dear Toni, what treats you leave behind after your generous, soulful readings. I am always wealthy in new ways with things to imagine and consider. And I feel seen.
You wrote: "I'm so happy! Maybe one of their forms will appear as I drip my inks on slick white surfaces today..."
That is a gift and that is connection, whether they 'appeared' or not. I am ever grateful.
What stunning portraits that pay tribute to mystery of these exquisite beings and their reciprocal relationships. Your thoughts on the sentience of plants and the web of life are not woo-woo in the least, I am deeply convinced of it. Cypripedium reginae is the queen of lady's slipper orchids in my neck of the woods.
Lordy, Carmine, Cypripedium reginae is indeed a looker. I have not made her acquaintance, but I now know to hope. Thank you for making time to leave such encouragement and for this sprinkled trail of hope seeds toward your beloved queen.
Such a wonderful telling of the mysterious goings-on in the plant world. It puts me in mind to pick up Michael Pollen’s Botany of Desire for another read. Plus—as a long-displaced Bend native, you always take me back home to my beloved Oregon for awhile.
This adds float to today's heavy boat. I thank you for the kindness, Alison.
Love these symbiotic tales!
Muchas gracias, Mr. Troy.
Wonderful!
Bring on the woo woo! This meditation you shared was devotional and stirred me deeply. Thank you. 💕🙏🏽💕
Thank you, Grace. I'm pleased and honored by your kind note.