Texture and a little Talking on My Part

Textured

Wow, look at all that wonderful texture in those petals.  I love to look at young vibrant roses and the veins that travel through them.  The softness of those petals full of life.  But, really I have enjoyed visiting these old photos of some pretty brittle roses.  Don't see them like this very often, or at least I don't, maybe you do.

So, I've got a little something on my mind.  Actually it's kinda been a thought that's been hanging around for over a year now.  And, well, I'm just wondering, what ever happened to the old way of thinking "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all?"  I guess I missed out on the memo that says it's okay to say mean things and call people names if you are doing so in a joking manner.  Or even better, for their own good.  Now, I'm certainly not saying that I haven't called someone a dork before (I call myself that a lot of times - and usually I am being a dork).  But there is a time, and a place and a certain relationship that needs to be established for that sort of talking.

And really, saying mean things about someone benefits nobody.  It certainly does not benefit the person it was said about.  And the person that is saying it - well it certainly changes how others view that person.  Or it should.  I mean c'mon aren't we all here to help each other out as best we can.  I think that in order to make my life just a little bit better, I need to make your life a little bit better too. 

So, here's a few thoughts for you.  Some of these I'm pretty sure I've shared before, and if so, please just humor me.  And . . . thanks for letting me get up on my soapbox every now and again.

Any fool can critize, condemn and complain - and most fools do.  But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.  ~ Dale Carnegie

There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a person as criticisms from superiors.  ~ Schwab

As mush as we thirst for approval, we dread condemnation.  ~ Hans Selye

Another view of the Inside

Soft on the Inside

Along the same lines from yesterday, another one of those roses at the end.  I find it pretty interesting that here, again, you can see those soft areas deep inside the rose.  I don't know that I've ever thought about how protected that inner area is.  I just thought that if the rose was getting dry and brittle where I can see it, it must be happening everywhere. 

I can hear my dog snoring softly in the other room.  I'm sure he is all curled up into a tiny little ball.  It is making my eyelids feel a little heavier, so I'm going to call it an evening.  Have a wonderful rest of your evening and a terrific Thursday.  I will see you back here again tomorrow night!

Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, others just gargle.  ~ Robert Anthony

Inside

On The Inside

I have overlooked this image many, many times.  And for some reason, tonight it was speaking to me.  Or at least, it was softly whispering "hey take a look at me".  And, so I did.  I remember taking these photos.  I think I remember most of my life according to the photos that I have taken over the years.  I can remember dates of things according to when I photographed what.  It's strange I know, but my brain is what is is.  (Which happens to be a favorite phrase of mine, and one that I have written on my dry erase board that I look at every day - "It is what it is.")

Okay so back to the photo for tonight.  When I pulled this image up to full size, I was pleasantly surprised at one very specific part.  But, before I go there, tell me . . . what do you see?  When you look at this rose that is so close to it's very end, what do you see?  Do you see the brittle edges?  Do you see the shape the petals created as they were opening and the shape of those that have yet to open? 

Me?  I see the reddest part inside there.  The part that is still soft and full of life.  The part that was protected by all those outer petals and just now, barely began to see the world outside.  I see pureness in that one small section of red just to the right of the very middle of the bloom.  And I really want to touch it to see if it is still soft and full of life.  That little section fascinates me.

When the pupil is ready, a teacher will appear.  ~ Zen Proverb

Beginning or Ending

Beginning or Ending

Looked over the posts from the last few days and really enjoyed seeing all those beautiful flowers.  I guess I'm not quite ready to move on - even though I have the next grouping of photos all ready to go.  Instead, I decided to share this photo from last year's Springtime Shoot at my parent's home.  I think - these are from the Seven Sisters Rose vine that is growing along a fence.  These roses definitely looked a little on the worn in side.  But that's okay, I bet they had quite a journey to get here.

If I had my life to live again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.  ~ Tallulah Bankhead

Two for one Tonight

Up

This is the last of the flowers that I took at my parent's house a few weeks ago.  I really like this bud, just getting ready to bloom. 

Youth comes but once in a lifetime.  ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And, a bonus for tonight, these two quotes seem to go together quite nicely to me. 

Youth is a quality, not a matter of circumstances.  ~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Oopsie Daisy

Blooming Yellow

Or, in this case, Oopsie Roses.  My night definitely got away from me.  As I am posting an hour later than usual.  Got a text message from a good friend - Hey Di! - asking if I was posting a pic tonight.  I replied yes and was a little confused why she was asking.  It took me about five minutes before I looked at the clock and saw that it was much later than my normal posting time.  So, sorry for those of you that wait to see the pic before going to bed.  I was engrossed in a game with my son.  No school tomorrow and that has really thrown my whole week off.  Don't you hate it when that happens?

So, the quote for tonight you ask.  Well I'm not sure who said it or if it's just one of those my mother used to say . . . type of things.  So, here it is:

Better late than never.  ~ Unknown

Have a great evening.  And since tomorrow is the real Friday, I will be posting again on Sunday evening.  Until then, have a wonderful weekend - and Happy Easter to those of you that celebrate.

Short, but Sweet (at least when I want to be)

Yellow

Okay my darlings, going to be short tonight - well technically I guess I'm short every night.  Hee, hee.  Bad joke I know.  But since I am pretty darn tired, please let it slide. 

I'm going to let my picture do all my talking for me.  Well, that and the quote.  So, here you go:

Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.  ~ Bruce Lee