the red beginnings of a rose

 This is a photo of buttercup before I painted her sunshine yellow this week.  I have to say I managed to make quite a mess of her new 'dress' ~ there are rivers and droplets and gradations of yellow splattered everywhere. But no matter, she is a beauty to mine eyes and I can't wait to take a proper photo and share it with you very soon.  (I am waiting for her new basket to arrive, hence the delay:)

Recently my inbox has been overflowing with lovely emails from you, my sweet readers, and I am noticing a similarity in the messages. These emails (and they truly uplift me, it means a lot to me that you take the time to write) express an appreciation for the positivity and beauty my posts inspire. Another thought that is oft expressed is how beautiful a creative life can be and how readers wish they could reach out and find a way to absorb this into their own lives.

Which is why this morning whilst sipping chai (from a chipped teacup)I thought I would post a photo of buttercup from a few years back.  I remember this afternoon so very well. I remember being quite tired with work, so downhearted,completely stressed with finances, and feeling wretchedly uninspired creatively. 

I found myself blessed with a few hours and coaxed my bicycle out of the shed and placed a shawl, book of poetry,and camera in the basket to peddle off my anxieties for a little while. Along the way I stopped at the corner market and bought myself some flowers and a bar of dark cherry chocolate. (chocolate is always the answer) 

I cycled down the path and over a favorite wooden bridge and soon found myself by a shimmering curve of sea. I propped Buttercup up, read some poetry, ate my chocolate bar sitting in the sand up against a driftwood log for a beautiful hour all to myself. I remember crying for a good fifteen minutes with the sun in my eyes because some things in my life were ending.  And I remember a seagull tried to snatch a piece of chocolate right out of my lap. By and by, I stood up to head home once again, brushed the sand away from my hair and snapped a few photo's of my bicycle for my journal.

'I remember riding in a taxi one afternoon 

between very tall  buildings 

under a mauve and rosy sky; 

I began to bawl because I had everything I wanted 

and knew I would never be so happy again.'

~ F Scott Fitzgerald ~

Cycling home, I felt crowned by roads and wanderings and so winningly, a full and happier heart.   I felt like a lighter version of myself and you don't forget a feeling like that.  It was altogether pretty spectacular.

I truly feel the tiny cinnabar key to the joy of my life is my relationship with spontaneity.  Pablo Neruda has a gorgeous line in a poem  ~ 'como el origen rojo de la rosa' which means 'the red beginnings of a rose.' A lusty life is not grande excursions costing huge sums of money or the accumulation of things or even a happy heart in the beginning.  A lusty life begins quite simply with something as unexpected as a blue flower ~ it begins by beginning.  Something. Anything. And then make a little piece of art from the experience.

What is your red beginning of a rose? 

Today is the day to do something beautiful:)

oh, and speaking of something beautiful, I am making more strawberry champagne jam this afternoon ~ if you pop by on Sunday I will be having a giveaway of said jam.  Pretty spectacular, yes?

love,

 ❤

Maddie 

Sunday!  Sunday 'My Sweet Muse' sets sail and glady so!!!! 

and this ~ the circle of giving is deeply moving and powerfully inspiring

xo