Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. (Luther Burbank, botanist)
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable. (Joseph Addison, writer)
Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night. (Rainer Maria Rilke, poet)
The rose is without an explanation; She blooms, because She blooms. (Angelus Silesius, poet)
Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet)
Love is like the wild rose-briar; Friendship like the holly tree. The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms, but which will bloom most constantly? (Emily Bronte, novelist)
I draw flowers every day and send them to my friends so they get fresh blooms every morning. (David Hockney, artist)
It’s winter for us in the northern hemisphere. Those of us in the upper half experience cold and snow. This Explore is about the days to come … and a dose of spring for those who need it.
A Frank Angle 
So beautiful – what a weekend treat, Frank. Here’s a treat for you – another bloom: Black Orchid by Stevie Wonder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCfuWMdziCM Happy weekend, my friend.
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Marina,
A fitting song that hits two targets with one throw. I’ll also post it on the musical … many thanks!
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It is summer here in Australia and we are in Tasmania where there are flowers everywhere…beautiful.
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Debra,
Cheers to the southern hemisphere showing the north what lies ahead.
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Thanks, Frank! It looks like a cool Spring day here today, glad to be on this side of Winter, although we still have storms coming in!
The video you posted was mesmerising. As I was watching, in my mind I was suddenly back years ago within long forgotten memories. There and here at the same time. Most definitely: Thanks, Frank!
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Tom,
Cheers to the memories this video ignited! We also have a dose of a few warm days, but never fear – the days of February (and probably parts of early March) will cruelly remind us that winter isn’t over yet.
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That’s very true, Frank. We had snow in June once, so one thing we can’t really predict truly is the weather!
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The best the weather forecasters can do is about 2 hours out. Well, besides telling us the weather once it has arrived.
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And that was how the early weather forecasters used to report the weather, Frank. I don’t think they were called forecasters back in those days, however!
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I believe the only reason they give 5-7 day forecasts is either because the public wants them or because the competitors do … or both.
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Both would be the reasonable option, but the way how things are nowadays competition will have a lot more to do with it.
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Absolutely!
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A season I always look forward to and enjoy.
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Colline,
Given your northern location, a touch of spring and summer is good this time of year.
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It certainly is. It is now that time of year when I long to see a bit of colour. We have had a very grey winter this year – the leaves fell early and we have not had that much snow as it has been a very mild winter.
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My wife hates the greys and browns of winter … well, along with the cold.
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Thanks for sharing flowers and thoughts of spring. I was just saying to someone that we’ve had our snow, so now I’m ready for spring! 🙂
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Merril,
Given all the snow in your area, glad to send the blooms your way.
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I was ready for Spring as soon as New Year’s Day passed by. At this point the hope is the snow will melt completely away before the scheduled arrival of Spring (and not schedule an encore performance in the interim) Some piles are as high as I’ve seen…we didn’t have anyplace to put the snow but on top of itself. Come on Spring!
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Bruce,
Oh those snow piles … especially in the parking lots. Heck,it will be interesting to see how long they stick around. Keep me posted.
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Flowers… beautiful friends to express the inexpressible…love, death, beauty. My favorite flower is the tulip….impossible to find, in Maine, in January. But thanks to the wonders of internet shopping, someone sent me a bunch of yellow tulips last week, for my birthday. They are smiling, and so am I, as we look out the window at mounds of snow.
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Cynthia,
I have no doubt of the appreciation you have for flowers … thus I know they are limited to the indoors this time of the year. … but hey hey hey … Cheers to flowers for your birthday!
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Nice treat Frank. Thanks
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John,
i imagine your area has blooms throughout the year … so this is a treat for we in the north. Plus you have a beach view! FYI … a bit of a combo challenge on the upcoming post.
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We do but only a few varieties. They are much appreciated though.
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What a wonderful treat. Spring weather hear, today — 54 degrees! But still tons of snow. It is beautiful but I would really love to have spring very soon. Gotta get that groundhog going!
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Elyse,
Oh my … all that snow + warm temps = Mess. Meanwhile, with the front coming through on Tuesday, Phil may not see his shadow!
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Oh no!
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So amazing to watch these magnificent blooms opening, Frank! Amazing photography. Thanks for sending me flowers today. 🙂
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Sylvia,
Glad you received my special delivery of flowers!
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It arrived just at the right time. 🙂
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That’s beautiful Frank – and my favourite saying is ‘[The] earth laughs in flowers’ part of a line from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ‘Hamatreya’ [a poem I don’t really understand, but I like this thought].
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Pauline,
Although you are in the midst of summer colors way down in the Southern Hemisphere, we needed a small bit of positive vibes for what is still several months away. Besides … I know you enjoy flowers.
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A nice way to say goodbye to the last day of January.
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Cayman,
Absolutely … but February can still deliver the nasties.
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We have been so lucky this winter but I do miss all the vibrant colors of the flowers and greens. Lovely display and I love the quotes too!
Cheers, Frank
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Audra,
Connecticut will show its colors in due time … and time will fly by to get there.
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Flowers are food for the soul, we get lost in their beauty and elegance. It’s natures way of healing the soothing the eyes. Wonderful post Frank ~ a little something to make your day, our daffodil bulbs are 4 inches high!!
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Mary,
Glad you saw this because I knew you would appreciate it. Our daffodils are starting to appear, but February and the first half of March can be difficult. Cheers to the flower activity that you are getting.
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Thanks Frank, best to you this week ahead!
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We have some heather that blooms all winter. While the individual blooms are tiny, there are so many of them the entire bushes look pink so they add a lot of color to an otherwise drab garden throughout the winter.
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LB,
Sounds wonderful for winter … … I had no clue of winter blooms in Washington state. Thanks for sharing.
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Watching the flowers bloom is beautiful & poignant! Thank you for the mid-winter sunshine, Frank! Now, for you – Sang by Julie London – The Days of Wine and Roses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeCV7JVj6Bw ⭐
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Resa,
Many thanks for the fitting tune. I didn’t realize that Julie London did the theme song to the movie! Glad to send you a spark of spring in late January.
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Thank you for sharing such lovely quotes and that beautiful video! Felt like spring was already here this weekend in Ohio!
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Kelly,
Good to hear that it’s also warm along the north coast of our state. 60s for us! … and glad you enjoyed the blooms.
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Absolutely beautiful, both the quotes and the video share. I always have flowers in the house, whether a big or small vase full I find they make me smile first thing in the morning or on my return from a long day.
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Val,
You are quite the eclectic person as I’m not surprised that your are a flowers person … then again, I wouldn’t have been surprised if you weren’t. Now I wonder if that makes any sense.
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Our winters may be mild here in California, Frank, but I still long for spring! I love the Emerson quote, “Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.” Flowers and blossoms are uplifting! Thanks for inciting some anticipation!
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Debra,
Knowing you love gardens and gardening, I knew you would love this post … so I’m glad you saw it to validate my thoughts.
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Gorgeous – especially on this grey foggy turning to cold and rainy day.
We saw monarch butterflies in the yard last weekend. Trying to shelter a few remaining flowers so they have something to eat. According to the old farmers’ predictions, if we can make it to mid Feb, our freezes may be over for this year
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Mouse,
Glad you enjoyed this video. Meanwhile, I guess the Monarchs are starting their move northward! Keep us posted. For Cincinnati, it’s been an extraordinarily mild 10 days … but it’s only February. On the other hand, the groundhog declared spring is on the way.
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I think these were a few of the sleepover ones ( we do have those. they actually go into a deep hibernation during brief cold spells apparently) Guess we still have a couple of winter storms marching through. Go Groundhog!
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Phil said bye bye winter!
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