Crown Imperial, Fritillaria imperialis. A few weeks and the blooms will be gone. As all crowns should be.
“Whoever had created humanity had left in a major design flaw. It was its tendency to bend at the knees.” -T. Pratchett
Winter dead soul
When I lived with constant pain
Wisdom blooms in spring.
Came across one of the old bits about wealthy/celebrities in their mansions whining about the horror of having to stay in their lavish homes during lock down. Of course, along with everyone else at first, I thought "poor babies!"
But I have another thought.
McMansion Hell discusses the issue of mansions as being aspirational. Oh! The parties they will have! So many friends! And how essentially unlivable these houses are. Less houses than Event Centers, Convention spaces, Hotel lobbies. They are a gilded hell created by people with more money than sense. To have to live in them without respite, really is awful. They are blandly tasteful, cold, drafty, echoey. Good for photos and as stage sets, but not at all as homes.
Not that I feel pity for them. Not at all. But their complaints are genuine. They have build themselves a nest of wire.
No one wonders why living in a cramped, cheap apartment is awful when you can't leave. But they have no choice. We lived in such places most of our adult lives, we sympathized with all those staring at eggshell painted walls and beige carpeting for months at a time. Or worse, or with horrible landlords who would not keep the places livable.
I was grateful every day stuck inside that we found House the Home, and weren't in some tiny apartment. This place was fine for a long day-to-day, comfortable, livable. The company helped of course. Dylan and cats are all I could want, more than I could have hoped for.
Gratitude with every breath.
7 comments:
Cats can help any space be livable and lovable.
Cat,
It's what they do. Domestic gods.
Beautiful being surrounded by Meow's and cuddles.
Rou,
Zeppo has a far greater range of vocalizations than that! And he's still a bit wary of cuddles. But they are kind and clearly both love us and feel this is their home. They take their godhood seriously.
((0))
We bought our condo the summer before the plague and I’m ever so grateful. The previous place was indeed a rental but the landlords (my parents) were ok! Alas, nothing could be done about the utter lack of light and the view of a parking lot. Our new place is all windows, light, breathing space, and views of our river valley. It made the pandemic bearable. And the companionship made it wonderful in a lot of ways. I do sometimes feel guilty that these last two years is the happiest and mentally healthiest I’ve been in years and years if not ever, but I am filled with gratitude. Home is essential. So glad you found yours.
pc,
No guilt, just gratitude. As long as you are not rubbing it in the faces of those less fortunate of course. : )
Light and gardens and good company, who knew?
I keep thinking about where I was last year at this time, about to go over the waterfall, crushed and battered and drowning. Yet, here I am in a much better place.
We have to accept our bad luck with our good luck with equal grace. No anger at the misfortune, no guilt at the blessings of fate.
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