“A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.”
~Walt Whitman
You may have guessed by now that I’m a huge Whitman fan. His words do get featured pretty regularly in the “Quote of the Week” that appears in the sidebar.
But, as much as I adore morning glories (and especially my heirloom Grandpa Ott Morning Glories, which may well have been in existence during Whitman’s lifetime), I’ll have to disagree with the poet on this one.
Of course, it depends on the book, but…
Walt, come on, couldn’t we just have both?
Sure we could.
In fact, I did it this morning, sitting on the porch steps, alternately engrossed in my beautiful book, and then letting that book slide off into my lap as I got to daydreaming, or watching the bees in the mint patch, or wondering if the next ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato plans to ripen up anytime soon, or holding my breath and sitting ever so still as the male ruby-throated hummingbird came within eight inches of my face, not certain if I was a huge flower or not — but not willing to pass up a source of nectar this promising without checking it out first.
(Hint: When you plan to be still in the garden, wear an orange or pink or scarlet shirt. Sitting in a sunbeam doesn’t hurt your chances for a hummingbird encounter, either. Sometimes, if you are very fortunate, a butterfly will land on your shoulder, too.)
I guess I’m just that kind of person. The kind who wants to have her cake and eat it, too. Shortly after F. and I first met, he accused me of being greedy — but not for money. The very idea made me laugh — and then laugh some more when I realized how true it was. I wasn’t used to thinking of the term “greed” apart from the Wall-Street-style connotation, and at first glance it didn’t seem to fit my lifestyle of simple pleasures enjoyed to their fullest.
It is now one of our little jokes, because it’s so true. Yes, I am greedy for all the joy this world has to offer, whether it’s the sun-drenched or the rain-soaked kind — or any of the million possibilities between them… and the transcendent joy of the shimmering rainbow when they meet. I am greedy for friendship, for beauty, for laughter, for wonder, for love, for inspiration, for sweetness and spice, for peace, and for connection — with other beings, with Nature, with the Divine.
I’ll take the magic of books, please – and a stained-glass morning glory with a honeybee feasting in its glowing throat. If it’s not too much to ask.
Wishing you a weekend filled with whatever satisfies you most.
Namasté, y’all.
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I love this last paragraph – it is just so full of life and the wonder of it all and the passion for living!! Have a wonderful weekend – filled with nature and beauty and joy!
THe Exception´s last blog ..More Bold
Thank you for those kind words and the weekend wishes. Already, the latter have come true.
I love blue morning glories! What a beautiful flower. I hope you have wonderful weekend too!
Noelle / azplantlady´s last blog ..Julys Monthly Garden Bouquet MGB
Thank you, Noelle. The strange thing is, I always saw these morning glories as purple… maybe because I saw the “Heavenly Blue” morning glories as blue? Not sure. Anyway, after your comment, I can see the blue.
Perhaps Whitman had his nose in a dry tome of dogma when he said that.
I am in total agreement with you.
gemma´s last blog ..Art Saves Art Heals
You’re probably right, Gemma. And besides, he was known to contradict himself. (I take comfort in that fact.
)
That’s pretty funny. Great photos, too.
Liza´s last blog ..Friday – Ask the Experts The Best- Smartest- Funniest and Only Plant Blog Panel of Experts on the Web
Thank you, Liza.
Nothing wrong with being greedy for life, I always say! I wish you flowers and books and hummingbird encounters this weekend, and every day that you want them. Have a great weekend, yourself!
Kathy´s last blog ..Memory Making 101
Aw, thank you, Kathy. What a wonderful wish!
I don’t think it’s too much to ask, Meredith! I hope your weekend is filled with wonderful things to be greedy for.
My dad used to have hummingbird feeders around and would sit on the front porch and delight in watching them. He was so astounded one morning when I joined him out there and one of them came over to have a close look at me. I held my breath for a few moments so it would stay. I must have been wearing something bright.
Lynn´s last blog ..Go Braves- hair for the spill and fancy headdress
Maybe you were wearing something bright, Lynn… maybe not. The important thing, I think, is the bright spot in your memories of you and your father together, encountering nature up close and personal, and loving the moments together. You made me smile, picturing it.
The kind of greed you exhibit is the best kind and I wonder what the world would be if more were as greedy as you. The morning glory photos are simply magical.
Have a delightful day!
Teresa O´s last blog ..Imagining Bloom Scans
Teresa, I sometimes suspect the other kind of greed, the one we’re used to calling greed, is just a sublimated version of my own. It is harder to admit that we want love and peace and beauty, that we crave connection, I think, than to go after money with single-minded determination — at least in my culture. One is seen as weakness, pathetic really, while the other is given the societal stamp of approval in a million little ways.
Thank you for the kind words and thoughtful comment!
This was the most beautiful post I’ve read in a long time. I will always love morning glories, I always saw them as *my* flower. Every morning when my mother woke me up as a child, she would sweetly say, “good morning, morning glory. And now, as I tend my own garden, I greet my morning glories every morning to let them know I love them.
Thank you for this post, seriously.
Hazel, I’m so touched by your sweet words. I am so glad you keep that memory alive in your own garden, greeting those lovely morning glories every morning.
Gemma I wonder what Walt was reading? A day or two without a book to read, ANY BOOK, and I go stir-crazy. But yes, they are, glorious flowers
Elephant’s Eye´s last blog ..I lift my eyes to the quiet hills 2
Having read a bit of 19th century literature, I would say there are several unfortunate possibilities that fit the bill for dull, dry works that would have had Walt staring out the window — or doing anything, really — rather than continue on.
“Greedy for joy”. Now there’s a great concept!
Merrilee´s last blog ..Guest post- Creativity and the Scientific Mind by Graham Storrs
Isn’t it, though? F. comes up with some good ones.
When I was younger I was very narrow minded when it came to music. I’d only listen to one kind from a certain era, and that it dawned on me that I just loved music and why was I limiting myself to one thing when I could enjoy it all.
Life on earth is too short to not enjoy as much of it as possible.
LL Cool Joe´s last blog ..Add Coolness to your blog!
Joe, what a great example of how we can open ourselves to all that wonder and beauty available to us.
Fantastic morning glory photos! Yes, we are meant to live life abundantly. What a waste, to simply exist.
debsgarden´s last blog ..Snowflakes in July
I love that, Deb. “Yes, we are meant to live life abundantly.”
All I would add is an exclamation point!
Oh my, I’ve missed your beautiful evocative writing so much that this made my eyes prickle with tears Meredith! Still, I don’t think all the sitting in a sunbeam in the world will help my case in wanting to meet a hummingbird
Heidi (GippyGardener)´s last blog ..Taking a break
Heidi!!! I’ve missed you, too! So glad to see you back. And thank you for that uber-compliment. I’m touched, my friend.
As for the limitations of our relative places, I’d only point out that as much as I’d like to I’ve never seen a wombat or a flock of wild parakeets, except on a screen, or a cockatoo hanging out in my backyard. So we each have our particular joys. Isn’t that, in itself, part of the magic?
Yup, you can count me in on the greed fest, Meredith, especially when it comes to stories! I’m always keeping my ears primed for a good story, and you just never know where you might come across one… from books and movies, in music, or making new ones with friends, family and the things that surround us in nature. How does that Bible verse go? “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Well, something like that anyways…
Tony, there is another kind of greed we might want to cultivate more of in this world — if only to feed my starving writer friends: a greed for stories. Love it! Perhaps I have this one, too, only I always called it “insatiable, slightly rabid curiosity.”
When I first joined bloggers Talon took me by the hand and said I have to go read. Will you was one of those I had to go read. You have yet to disapoint me on your blog. You might be greedy but you give so much of yourself to others. So with no poems or rhymes or did-des or catch words I just want to say.
Thank you
desk49´s last blog ..2 Tales of the Sea
Ellis, I am so, so glad that you took Talon’s advice, and that I “met” you as a result. I am so touched by your kind and thoughtful words — in this comment as in so many others. How wonderful, to read that lovely, humbling compliment on a bright green Saturday morning!
Great pix as always Meredith. Thanks for your kind comments on my blog. Yeah sorry. That last blog was a bit of a downer, fuelled by the odd glass of wine. But hey I’m applying for weekend jobs, demonstrating gourmet sausages in supermarkets which could be fun and doing some tutoring and some additonal writing.I guess people who sell cars are struggling too. Do mention me to your friend – good luck with your husband’s job seach.
David
David Macaulay´s last blog ..the mountains still endure
Thanks, David! Glad you liked the photos.
As for the “downer” stuff, well, it is what it is. You write poignantly about your situation, and if it took a glass of wine to get up the courage to do so, well, so be it. I hope you land a weekend job soon (I have not had much luck, looking for fill-in work, but cross my fingers for you) and that the tutoring fills in the holes. So sorry you’re having to go through this. At least there’s a lot of solidarity out there.
I couldn’t agree more, as beautiful as they are, there is so much more to life than morning glories…but maybe I’m greedy too
Curbstone Valley Farm´s last blog ..Frodo Meets the Hens
Clare, good to know I’m in great company.
Beautiful pics like usual. Plus I love quotes.
Susie @newdaynewlesson´s last blog ..The Best Gift Is A Thought Out One
I’m glad you liked the post, Susie.
Hi Meredith,
You are such a greedy woman! But we all agree with you! What not to have it all?
After all we are human beings with such amazing capabilities given by our outstanding brains so why not to go for the whole package?
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last blog ..Simplicity
I guess it depends on what we define as “having it all,” Raul. In this culture, that often means, well, having a lot of material things, being the envy of others, keeping up with the Joneses (whatever that looks like in your neighborhood), etc., etc.
This morning I’ll define “having it all” as that delicious green of the tree canopy outside my window, birds singing a gentle melody at the bird feeder, and plans for the delicious harvest of green beans I just brought into the kitchen.
I’m greedy for more of your musings!
Lovely post (as usual).
Namaste and many wishes for a joyful sunday x
carrie´s last blog ..Garlic time again -
You are such a darling, Carrie. Sending you a big bear hug and wishes for a lovely Tuesday (just catching up on the final comments on this post, as we were out of town this weekend!)
I think there would be many (me) who agree with you. It’s a refreshing take on greedy.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..a special offer for you
I’m glad you thought so, Elizabeth. Maybe with enough of us doing it, we could redefine the kind of greed that’s cool… one day.
(<—-that smile is the wistful kind.)