Monthly Archives: April 2023

IN LIVING COLOR

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Now that Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere, the Earth is greening up and flowers are going wild even in such seldom seen places as the dry valleys and hills of California. Tulips become the symbolic icon of this seasonal change from the Netherlands to Washington State and regions in between.

A great deal of labor goes into the planting of these bulbs, as well as the hybridization of petals and colors. Although these photos are taken in a small but well maintained public garden in Kansas City, there are still thousands of these plants made available simply for human pleasure. I salute those who make this scenery available.

This little oasis of flowers are located in the Kauffman Memorial Garden which is located near the Plaza and Nelson Adkins Museum of Art. The Kauffmans were fixtures in Kansas City where Ewing Kauffman founded the Kansas City Royals, a MLB American League team in 1969. Ewing was an astute businessman and entrepeneur who developed Marion Labs which resulted in him becoming a multi-millionaire. He and his lovely wife, Muriel, were heavily involved in educational entrepenurial endeavors, and in the arts. Not long ago, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts was created from their family’s vision and generosity.

Tulips are short-lived, and we were fortunate to catch them at their last week of full bloom, and during pleasant weather. We overhead some folks state that the tulips will be dug up soon and laid aside for the public to take them for free. I didn’t confirm this, however, it doesn’t surprise me due to the Kauffman’s generosity.

The gardens are open most of the year with different species of plants and flowers show-cased. It is a pleasant facility and offers a tranquil environment where it is easy to just wander, marvel, and meditate. The Kauffmans wanted this place to reflect this peaceful vibe and chose their remains to be buried under flat bronze memorials in a corner of the gardens.

Although these gardens are not grandiose compared to many others, but what they lack in size is easily compensated for in beauty and variety. These gardens are a treasure to behold, and I am positive many other cities and parks can boast the same sentiment about their flower gardens.

I hope you enjoyed nature’s splendor made available to all who choose to see it.

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In Awe of the Ordinary

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I read a quote today which resonated with me.“Familiarity breeds contempt. The same streets, the same people-we may love and appreciate them, but we can get so used to them. We take them for granted. The magic is gone“. The author goes on to say, “This problem is compounded in the digital age. Society trains us to value what is new and exciting. Everything grows brighter and louder to gain our attention. Our attention spans shorten as a result. We want the next thing, and the next thing after that”.

Ordinary is no longer pleasant nor is it deemed acceptable. We see the term GOAT thrown about daily in the sports world. News feeds routinely tout lists of the greatest people and their acheivements. If we don’t experience the extraordinary in our travels then we consider these trips as failures. Average is just not good enough.

Indeed, the world is a miraculous place. Natural and man-made wonders abound, and I plan to experience as many as possible during my remaining years. Sometimes, it seems like the extraordinary has become as common as the ordinary. And, when extraordinary becomes this familiar, what is there to look forward to?

A man doing calisthenics in front of a monument. A baby taking her first step. A symphony tuning their instruments. Ants creating an underground city. Satellites orbiting the earth. The complexity of the human eye. Cellphones and televisions. Neighbors mowing their lawns. Tree leaves budding-out at the precise time every year. Heart transplants. Flying a kite. Mountains, oceans, deserts and plains. Reading a book. And the list continues infinitely.

I watched the rain pelt the greening earth this morning. The clouds moved on and eventually the sun appeared. I saw a doe in our back yard yesterday browsing on honeysuckle leaves while squirrels played tag and birds ate seed from a feeder. Ordinary stuff, and I love it. Truly, I am blessed for all of the ordinary in my life. In fact, I am in awe of it.