After the non-stop buzziness and visual cacophony of the Northwest Flower and Garden Show I need a respite. It takes so much energy while you're there just to maintain some kind of filter to protect yourself from the barrage of plants, books, pots, decor, chickens, gardens, design....people, people, people...well, if you spent even an hour there this week you know what I mean. It's a mind-boggling experience in over-drive, and my heart and respect go out to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen - I know many of you spent more days there than I did on that concrete floor.
It's taken me several yoga classes and creating this simple arrangement of pussywillows in a Japanese basket juxtaposed with beach stones piled in a smooth, pale maple bowl to get my equanimity back. I need visual clarity, stillness, and the unvarnished beauty of a few natural items after all that noisy complexity. How full does life need to be? How much do we need? These questions come to mind after such an event....the irony is that the more successful the show, the more overwhelmed the participants.
The soft grayness of the pussywillows, the rough texture of the stones help to relax my eyes, nourish my spirit, and I can begin to process all I saw and everyone I visited with at the show...I wish all of you the same chance to restore yourselves and return to winter quiet after that extravagant five day plunge into spring fervor...
a deep breath of air...
Posted by: Lauren Hall-Behrens | February 11, 2012 at 09:08 AM
Quiet, simple beauty! Love that lil heart rock...do you think I could have it to add to my collection of them? :)
Posted by: Chris | February 11, 2012 at 10:07 AM
Lovely gray tone arrangement - but I really covet those deep windowsills!
Posted by: rosekraft | February 11, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Thank you for sharing about the Garden Show. I wish I could have come up there to see it! My husband was doing business in Seattle on thurs and friday and I asked him to find me a copy of the Pacific NW Garden Issue but he never found it. I think I realized it is in your newspaper isn't it? Anyways, I hope to plan to make the trip next year, I live in San Diego but grew up in Edmonds. I am off to the bookstore today in hopes of purchasing Petal and Twig!!! I have a bowl of sweet rocks from Whidby Island on my table, hearts and all :)) Enjoy your quiet time and have a wonderful Valentines Day!
Posted by: Sandra Lee | February 12, 2012 at 10:38 AM
I think we need the Garden Show theme next year to be "Less is More"...
Posted by: Tish Treherne | February 12, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Hi Tish,
I don't think so - next year's theme is "Gardens Go Hollywood".
Posted by: valerie Easton | February 12, 2012 at 08:09 PM