Flowers For George Washington

First in War, First in Peace, First in the Garden

Archive for the category “faith”

04 Feb 2012

Red, White and George!

This week’s fresh cut flowers are Red and White Gerber Daisies whose electric vibrancy elicits a certain patriotism in me as we begin the new year. I’m reminded that during the Vietnam Era, a certain phrase “America, Love It or Leave It” was a popular retort when anyone criticized what the government was doing. In fact, songs were even recorded that served up this mighty fine travel option. While it’s a bit sophmoric, I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be appropriate (and somewhat ironic) to jumpstart this lovely jingle whenever the Right starts to claim ownership of the moral center of the country and a desire to take the country back.

“I am really mortified beyond expression that, in the moment of our acknowledged independence, we should by our conduct verify the predictions of our transatlantic foe and render ourselves ridiculous and contemptible in the eyes of all Europe. It is but the other day we were shedding our blood to obtain the constitutions under which we now live – constitutions of our own choice and framing – and now we are unsheathing the sword to overturn them.

George Washington 1786

January 12, 2012 Playa Vista Farmers Market

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05 Jan 2012
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A New Year Is Upon Us

This week’s bunch of fresh cut flowers honor those who won’t be with us to shepherd in the new year. As 2011 ends I think of all those who departed; some too early, others right on time. And here we are – left to carry on without them. So what do we do with the ever shortening time we have left? Do we spend it on frivolous tidings or do we start to impact those around us in some positive fashion. This is what we as a culture did in 2011. What will you do in 2012?

“My brave fellows, you have done all I asked you to do and more than could be reasonably expected.  But your country is at stake, your wives, your houses and all you hold dear. If you will consent to stay one month longer, you will render that service to the cause of liberty and to your country which you probably can never do under any other circumstances.”

George Washington, January 1777

December 30, 2011 Marina del Rey Gelsons

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26 Dec 2011

Oh by gosh, by golly…

This week’s bunch of fresh cut flowers are a Winter’s Mix of Hollyberry and Fern. The holly’s bright red berries offer a lovely visual contrast to the prickly thorns of the leaf itself. I am reminded that even as we celebrate the holidays and spend time with family and friends, we are in the midst of a global economic crisis and are certainly teetering on the peaks of great change. Where we will land is anyone’s guess. What can we do collectively to ensure the safest possible landing?

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.”

The Crisis by Thomas Paine written on December 23, 1776 which General Washington had read to the troops to boost morale during the depths of the first bleak winter of the Revolutionary War

December 18, 2011 Westchester Bristol Farms

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17 Nov 2011

Are you prepared to change in order to live a better life?

This week’s bunch of fresh cut flowers are Cardinal and Gold Fall Mums (apologies to the troops hunkering down in the fields of Westwood). Their rich autumnal colors signal the natural order of change that surrounds us. It also makes me wonder at how hard we humans fight change of any sort and what we are willing to compromise in order to avoid it.

“Is the paltry consideration of a little dirty pelf to individuals to be placed in competition with the essential rights and liberties of the present generation and of millions yet unborn?” George Washington, 1778

November 5, 2011 Westchester Bristol Farms

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02 Nov 2011
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Occupy Renew

This week’s bunch of fresh flowers are pink Asiatic Lillies. Their lush openness encourages me to renew my faith and stand up strong for what is right and fair. Greed and fear are the opponents in this fight and apathy is the narcotic that diminishes us. So breathe deep, take hope, and challenge yourself to renew your investment in our collective future with whatever you have to give; time, money, thought, energy, rabble rousing or simple consideration.

“Providence has done much for us in this contest but we must do something for ourselves, if we expect to go triumphantly through with it.” George Washington 1782

October 29, 2011 Playa Vista Farmers Market

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