This is the enchanting blue poppy Meconopsis x sheldonii that i referred in a recent post about my garden. For centuries past it has been imbued with mysteriously magical powers. In my own mind it represents the spiritual power inherent to my Avalon haven, my garden of tranquility, my place of joyful wonder.
This morning as i was preparing to write this post the trilling of birds was carried through the house on a warm breeze from the garden. It was the happy melody of the Song Sparrows that have returned to Avalon to raise and feed their young. They are like a pair of happy children running through the flower beds, small and brown and fast. They salute me with a flick of the tail whenever they land. I believe they are saying hello.
As i sat and absorbed this miracle of contentment i sent out a wish for each of you a morning of sanctuary in this ordinary garden that is filled with morning light. A wish that you have one evening to spend in this oasis of color that belies description in any language i speak. It is astonishing how this small bit of earth can transport me from one very ordinary moment in time to an extraordinary experience of numinous delight.
Your comments on yesterday's post helped me in ways that you cannot imagine. I felt your warmth and compassion and was able to be exonerated for my failure in perfection. It is a wonderful thing to be heard but to be understood is a gift.
Zippy is still at home and doing pretty well. This morning i took her to our own veterinarian clinic and met with a new Doctor. Although Zippy had to endure another poke for blood and the humiliation of someone taking her urine i feel she is good hands. She actually seemed to be feeling quite good afterward and even ran around like a little mouse in the grass while i watered the garden.
I know it took me forever to post another update and i apologize for not yet answering the kind and concerned e-mails i received. I have had to work long hours seeing clients and take care of so many things at home that i simply had to stay focused or risk losing my head...like my mom used to say when i forgot my books for school "if your head wasn't attached to your shoulders you would lose that too." I'm afraid she is more right than she could have ever guessed :) And a good evening to you all.
What a stunning picture! We've long since had this conversation about how happy I am that Zippy is doing well but since I'm posting a month later I thought it might seem odd if I didn't mention Zippy here in my comments.
I've just read and re-read what Relyn posted and I must say she is oh so right! "Oh, you have just placed yourself in the company of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Teresa. How you may ask. You just authored what has just become one of my favorite quotes: It is a wonderful thing to be heard but to be understood is a gift."
Posted by: Kelly M | July 22, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Oh, you have just placed yourself in the company of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mother Teresa. How you may ask. You just authored what has just become one of my favorite quotes: It is a wonderful thing to be heard but to be understood is a gift. I hope you don't mind if I quote you? You just expressed a Truth; a life lesson. To be understood is a gift. You are right. So, to be heard, and understood, and appreciated - bliss. Happy day, my friend.
Posted by: Relyn | July 01, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Robin, sorry I spelled your name wrong in previous comment :-). Forgive me, it won't happen again.
Posted by: Annie | June 28, 2008 at 09:02 PM
Hi Robyn, thanks for coming back to my blog and for telling me the names of my flowers :-). I am not so good with that. I work at a very high end gallery in Taos New Mexico, so as an artist it is very inspiring :-).
Posted by: Annie | June 28, 2008 at 08:37 PM
I've never seen a Meconopsis x sheldonii poppy before. Your photo is stunning...so...green. I miss all the wet, valley green.
Yay for Zippy being home & well again.
Posted by: High Desert Diva | June 28, 2008 at 02:41 PM
Oh No!!!! I am so sorry I haven't been by recently,,Poor Zippy!!! I sure hope she is on the road to recovery now. She is such a cutie pie. Wowza!!! Your flowers are looking magnificently amazing!!! I Love the blue poppie,,do you collect seeds,,I sure would love to do some seed trading with you this fall. I will keep checking on The Zipster.
xoxooxoxooxoxoxoxooxox
Posted by: Beth | June 27, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Oh, Robin, I was so afraid to click into your blog tonight -- I received your very beautiful email about Greg (all is well, at least we think/hope so; the surgery was fine) and I'll reply off-blog later. But I was so unsure of what would have happened in the last 24 hours to Ms. Zippy. And now, I am totally choked up with joy to know she's with her "mom" and skipping about. Maybe not ALL better yet, but clearly on the mend and with you. I have been thinking of you so often all day -- even in the surgery lounge. And I am so very, very grateful that all the mega-energy Blogland's Avalon friends have channeled your way seems to be taking hold! Happy moments, my friend. Very happy indeed.
Hugs and tears of joy... j
Posted by: Jeanie | June 26, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Lovely post, and beautiful photo. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your darling comment. So glad your Zippy is doing well! I will come and visit again and look around more when I have some time.
Posted by: Annie | June 26, 2008 at 03:45 PM
not only a beautiful flower but an incredibly beautiful photograph ... happy to hear that zippy is doing well :)
much love beautiful and thank you for your kind words, kindness is incredibly powerful i think, xo
Posted by: darlene | June 26, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Oh. Blue poppies. Your garden is just full of flowers I don't see here in Texas. It's quite, QUITE magical to me. Thank you for sharing!
And such good news about Zippy. She's sounding so much better. So here are some happy cartwheels through you garden! @@@@@@@ . . . whooooo. . . I gotta stop - I'm getting dizzy!
:) Debi
Posted by: debi | June 26, 2008 at 08:37 AM
It sounds as if all is well in Avalon again. I look forward to photos of you and Zippy enjoying your time there. Give some wet sloppy smooches to Zippy for me.
oxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Peggy | June 26, 2008 at 06:29 AM
i thought of zippy all day yesterday. here's to hoping that she continues to be her spunky little self...
jan and the m&m's
Posted by: jan | June 26, 2008 at 06:20 AM
We can always find peace in our gardens! I am so pleased that you have! Your words are like poetry. Have a peace filled day as well Zippy!hugs aNNa
Posted by: naturegirl | June 26, 2008 at 05:22 AM
Love and hugs and smiles.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | June 26, 2008 at 03:09 AM
I have been thinking of you all day...wondering how you are and how little Zippy was doing. I'm so glad you gave us an update, and even happier to hear that she is doing ok!!
And what a beautiful flower! I love this photograph in all it's delicate simplicity. And your words to match it...simply devine.
Love and hugs
J
Posted by: rhayne | June 25, 2008 at 11:43 PM