Saturday, June 20, 2009

cultivating beauty and friendship












































TO CULTIVATE the sense of the beautiful, is one of the most effectual ways of cultivating an appreciation of the divine goodness. ~
Bovee















I took these photos last Thursday of fields of flowers growing near the town where I live in the fertile Willamette Valley of Oregon, after having a reunion lunch with an old friend.

It was a beautiful day, most definitely.

.

18 comments:

Batteson.Ind said...

I love the top picture with the red barn, there's something so iconic about a picture like that. The fields of flowers are particularly stunning, they remind me of a wild flower seed growers round where I lived in England, they were open to the public during the summer and the place was just fantastic!

Anonymous said...

WOW! we don't get fields of flowers like that in CT! :)

LV said...

These are breathing photos of these lovely fields. My son lived in Portland for a few years, but I never saw anything like this. Truly, truly beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us and for visiting my post,

Anonymous said...

These pictures got life inside them! And they clearly indicate that you did have a wonderful day!

La Belette Rouge said...

I would have never guessed that those gorgeous fields of inspiration were growing in Oregon. Gorgeous! But why not? After all that final photo of flowers does look like a field of Beaver orange flowers. Beautiful post.

deus ex machina said...

reminds me of Monet's garden. what a beautiful sight! it really lifts the spirit. . .what joy it would be when this scene is just there ready to relax your soul after work :) amazing

Erin Davis said...

Oh, I love fields of flowers, and right now I am surrounded by them in Spokane. Not something I ever encountered in Orange County, CA, that's for sure!

YogaforCynics said...

Most definitely...love the pics...

Anonymous said...

Until I read the text, I thought the post heading related only to the photos. Works well as a metaphor for me!

Nancy said...

Such beautiful fields - now I miss Oregon and it hasn't been a week! Enjoy!

Lydia said...

@the watercats- These flowers are grown by farmers for seed like the ones you mentioned in England. We don't get tours, per se, but the view is just off the side of the roads. :)

@Mibsy- Every state has its wonders and I think your blog shows off some in CT just beautifully. :)

@LV- So nice to have you visit my blog! It's sad that so many family farms have been lost around the Portland area to development, thus ensuring forever the lack of these kinds of scenes there. But the city has such gorgeous spots in it, the Portland Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden, the formal Chinese Garden downtown, Forest Park, views of Mt. Hood and other mountains.....

@Riyadh- Thank you. We've had showers this weekend...I bet those flowers love it and are waiting for the sun to bloom and mature.

@La Belette Rouge- You are clever in noting the Oregon State Univ. "beavers" orange in the poppies. Not being an alumnus of that school I admit I never thought of it! We have neighbors who each year fly flags on their porches signifying allegiances to the Univ. of Oregon and Oregon State Univ. when the big football game approaches. :)

@deus ex machina- Monet's garden, yes! This really is a wonderfully scenic and relaxing drive between our house and Salem or Portland. I'm glad you liked the photos. :)

@Erin- It's exciting that the Spokane area has fields of flowers also. What a sight. Some years ago I read an article by a man who had grown up in Orange County before it became what it is today. There were old photos that were so surprising and so sad...

@YogaforCynics- Anytime you visit the day is brighter, most definitely.

@svasti- You and Dr. Jay arrived at my blog piggy-back. Metaphorically speaking!

@Lover of Life- But, but, but I shudder to add up the years since I've been to Lake Tahoe. Darnit, too long! I wonder if they still have dances for teens on summer nights at Meek's Bay. Probably a thing of the past.....sigh

Lisa Nanette Allender said...

Too gorgeous. I'm speechless. Which, uh, doesn't happen too often.
I'm scrolling down to get caught up, read your Wednesday postcard things, etc.......
Peace.
www.lisananetteallender.blogspot.com

Lydia said...

@Lisa- No, I don't imagine you are speechless very often, you being one of my most expressive and dramatic blogging friends. :) So glad anytime you have been by...

RB said...

These pictures are so vivid--even from the middle of New York city...I already feel more peaceful. Many thanks.

Maggie May said...

We went to the Carlsbad Flower Fields here in San Diego and I was blown away by the long washing fields of color. Gorgeous.

Lydia said...

@RB- Great! Gather them close to your heart to feel peaceful during stressful times.

@Maggie May- Your comments really intrigued me so I checked out the Carlsbad Flower Fields online. Yes, gorgeous indeed! Thanks for the information, because the only "Carlsbad anything" I was previously aware of was Carlsbad Caverns in NM.

earthtoholly said...

Beautiful captures, Lydia. You usually don't see flower fields around here...corn, rye, soybeans, yes, and the fields are always green...nothing as colorful as these. Thanks!

Lydia said...

@earthtoholly- So glad you liked these shots. The flowers come in early summer, then the fields switch back to grass seed (nearly everyone is allergic to the stuff) and other crops. I think the hay is gorgeous in the early autumn. Don't think I've ever seen soybeans growing.

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