Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Inspiration Avenue

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The Poppy has served well as a remembrance for the many men who have given their lives to preserve our freedom.  I have worn a Poppy on my coat yearly as they were given out by the veterans in my community in exchange for a modest donation.


 Who could ignore the Poppy.  Those of us with green thumbs grow them in our gardens and marvel over their unequivocal beauty.



But I have looked beyond it's beauty and felt the essence of it's existence ... a dichotomy of good and evil that serves or enslaves mankind ...

Red, in nature, is a color of warning ..." stop, I am poisonous".   The beauty attracts and the color warns.  Life, as we have all learned, is never simple, seldom what it seems and is always made up of the choices between Good and Evil.  Our Poppy is no exception to that rule ...

12 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Great, touching post and worthwhile thoughts for all of us! Thanks, Andrea!

The Queen Jester said...

What beautiful photos of the poppy. This was always a favorite in my Grandmother's garden, I loved the thin delicate petals and the fuzziness of the stem.
I also buy one of the memorial poppies when they are out selling, a habit drummed into me by my grandparents to be proud of my country. Now I notice that many younger people don't even stand when the flag is raised and the anthem sung. Maybe it's because we learned this in school that it is so ingrained. I always feel they are missing something by not having this training.

Carola Bartz said...

You have some stunning pictures here, very beautiful.
And you're certainly right about the opium (although not every poppy is a potential opium carrier). However, I also think of the yummy German poppy cakes...

Elephant's Child said...

I adore poppies and try and grow several times each year. Thank you for both the beauty and the reflections in this post. Both are appreciated.

Nancy McCarroll said...

Beautiful pictures. I had never thought of the "Warning" and what red means. Thanks for that. Your picture at the bottom of your post really said it.

Edna B said...

Wow, another fabulous set of photos. I love the poppy and have tried growing them in my garden. So far, I've only managed one poppy flower.

I love how you have explaied the good and the evil. two faces of the poppy.

I too wear the poppy for the veterans. I am quite proud of my flag, my country and the men and women who have fought to keep my freedom.

You have a great night, hugs, Edna B.

teri said...

Andrea- Thoughts abound this morning~ your words and images have done the same for me. These poppies are wonderful. The first is a fitting tribute and wonderfully edited. The second is just fabulous with the contrast of colors. As for good and evil- I had a conversation with God yesterday on that very topic. Actually it was more like a tantrum. Some days I cannot see how there is goodness at all. I need some sunshine in my heart- your post is that. Thank you. xo teri

Jester said...

Beautiful pictures and interesting thoughts about this flower. Thank you!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Beautiful poppy post for IA! They certainly are both good and evil, aren't they!

Lou Anne Hazel said...

Your post is very thought provoking. The images you shared are striking as well.

Ritva said...

A great post! The last one is very impressive!

WrightStuff said...

Lovely and thoughtful post.

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