When I was in high school I took an art class. We learned about Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging. About the only thing I remember from it was that a good Japanese flower arrangement has three levels: low flowers, mid flowers, and high flowers (though I’m sure those are NOT the technical terms for them — it will be my 50th reunion next year so how the heck can I remember?).
Add to that the fact that my sister Cindy got all the crafty genes in our family, and I couldn’t arrange myself out of a paper bag! Doesn’t stop me from trying, however. I love to change silk plants in the house with the seasons. But I’m cheap, to boot. So when I put something new together I usually only buy one stem of three or four kinds of flowers and either cut them apart or try to intertwine the single stems so they actually look like I attempted to arrange something.
(Don’t laugh now!) So when it felt like Spring early this year I got antsy and decided to go ahead and try to do a Spring arrangement. Truth is I took far less time with this one than any I’ve ever done. I threw some colored glass pebbles in the bottom of a vase and just stuck the stems of flowers and pussy willows and dandelions in the thing. But here’s the deal. I’ve been sitting here staring at it for over a month, and as messy and unattractive as it is, I am very drawn to it. There’s just something about it that makes me FEEL.
Then yesterday I had an epiphany. I realized the darn thing looks just like I feel inside! Scattered. Loose. An airhead. Meds will do that to ya. These particular thoughts stick out over there, another group pops up over here. Some thoughts get entangled and ALMOST start to make complete sense… Can’t explain it better than that, but I feel a great kinship with that vase of silk flowers. And I love it! I find it familiarly comforting. Not that anyone needs to know this for any particular reason. I think I just needed to keep track of these thoughts before they floated off into space and flowered somewhere else again!
`
`
Picture Source:
Japanese flower arrangement — Pinterest
Silk flowers — moi
Impromptu Promptlings 
I thought your silk flowers look lovely. It’s an interesting arrangement, nice photo. I hope you are as well as can be. I was saddened to read of your health challenges. The A to Z will be a busy month, i’ll look forward to seeing your posts. I noticed the badge in your sidebar. I’ll catch up with you again soon, it’s very late here and I must sleep now and read more tomorrow.My Best Wishes to you for a Happy Easter too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Colette. I hope issues have resolved on your end, too, Wasn’t your mom having some problems? It’s so good tot see you back. {{{Colette}}}
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Calen. Oh yes she was, but she was a tough cookie and a coper and very skilled and sensible. I get a lot of things from my mum but I do wish I had more of those tendencies in my genes sometimes! And of course I miss her very much, especially around this time of year and Easter in my adult lifetime being a time of personal joys and sorrows and a time of faith of varying sorts. My mum is always with me in my thoughts and in heart-warming moments and she’s still here to help me even though she’s no longer with us. We can find some comfort hopefully in all kinds of ways and I think of you often and have always appreciated your support and encouragement. {Hugs} and a bunch of flowers for you ready-arranged to enjoy, if only I could. To say my Thank you. And I’m ever so pleased you’ll be doing the A to Z again this year 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry, hon. I didn’t realize she had passed on. It’s hard. Always. My folks have been gone 20 years this year. I still miss them every single day. But as you say, they are always with us — in more ways than we know. Blessings and Grace to you during this season. ❤
LikeLike
I never know what to do with gifts of flowers. I love them, but they always look better before I’ve arranged them than afterwards. Great post, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would rather have gifts of fresh flowers that have already been arranged. That way I don’t have to mess with them. And flowers are expensive! If his nibs is willing to fork over the money to buy some, then I KNOW he means it since they’re just going to die in the end! 😉 He used to send them to work on Valentine’s Day and our Anniversary. He’d always sign his Elven name — Thorandorian. It has something to do with eagles! (Giggle)
LikeLike
I do love flowers!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, me, too. They have such a spirit of sacrifice…
LikeLike
I truly like your flowers, Carole love having in the house, although they made me sneeze. And yes that Prednisone side effects are terrible. Carole stopped taking them, and then the drug was only used when she had her severe attacks/setbacks, Hopefully you’ll be off yours soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So Ivor, did she stop taking it cold turkey or did they wean her off? How did coming off it affect her? Was she better or worse? (If you don’t mind my asking…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love to answer your questions as best as I can,. No not quite cold turkey but the usual weaning off time would only be two weeeks. She was never worse, the drug did it’s job in abating the inflamation, and then she was never better either. The drug is not a cure, it just should be used as a retardent during those attacks. Carole ended up losing weight, and I think that made her happier within herself. But please remember Carole had severe MS, and life became all about making her more comfortable, and her personal appearence was important to her. Please, I’m always willing to answer any questions. But please ask your Doctor about the continued use of Prednisone, you should not be staying on it……
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear that Carole’s usual weaning off time was two weeks. I was wondering if the doc was moving a little fast on that. But sounds like that’s pretty common. He changed it from two months. I appreciate your comment, Ivor. Gives me a little more perspective on what to expect. And yeah, I don’t do anything unless the neurologist tells me. I’m too much of a coward! (rolls eyes…)
LikeLike
I think it looks gorgeous – just like you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! But then you haven’t seen me since I’ve been on the prednisone! My face is about as wide as those branches are spread apart! I look nothing like myself these days. Hopefully getting off this stuff will return me to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! You mean the 15 extra pounds that came along with the prednisone??? Yuk!
LikeLike
I think it looks quite nice. Loose and airy – a just- picked- in -the- garden- and- put- in- a -vase look.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My dear, you are FAR too kind! 😉
LikeLike
I have seven different silk flower arrangements in the living aress. Four fashioned by yours truly. No pollen which is okay by me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true. Keeping them dusted is a pain, though, isn’t it… I’ve tried blow dryers and a dozen other things like salt. What do you do, Denise?
LikeLike