A couple summers ago I had the chance to visit London. When I returned, I shared some snapshots with friends. One friend said something like (paraphrasing), “they know how to keep a bit of green in their lives don’t they?” I hadn’t recognized it at the time I took the pictures, but he’s absolutely right. London, and many other cities, know how to keep a human touch alive amidst their “progress.” That bit of green is something every city, every human, needs, isn’t it?
It might be shaded, verdant banks sheltering a quiet stream.
Perhaps just a window box.
Or, an entire medley of window boxes!
Maybe willows reflected under sailing swans.
Hanging baskets with your curry and elephants to settle the stomach.
Our eyes wander pleasingly among 3-dimensionally arranged shrubs of varying height, color, and texture.
Flower stalls grace practically every corner, and, certainly, entrances to the tube.
Sometimes, just a tree overhanging the street is all it takes to ease the mind.
Who could not help but want to enter the restaurant pictured at the beginning and end of this post? It’s framed by so much living color.
For about a year before I got my wonderful kitten, I kept fresh flowers on top the piano. Concerned for his health (some flowers can be poisonous to cats) and also not wanting to tempt his exploratory tendencies in the dirt, I stopped putting out flowers. I realize now, putting together this post, how much I miss the flowers. I’m going to work on a solution that’s kitty-safe (suggestions welcome). Having plants makes the days a lot brighter.
PS: I didn’t realize when I wrote and posted this that today was Guy Fawkes Day in the UK! Special thanks to my sister, Lucy, for the tip.
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