Wednesday, August 3, 2011

"Supremely, meticulously created"

"The creation is not a study, a roughed-in sketch; it is supremely, meticulously created … even on the perfectly ordinary and clearly visible level, creation carries on with an intricacy unfathomable and apparently uncalled for."

-  Annie Dillard, from Pilgrim at Tinker's Creek

Sunflowers and zinnias, hot summer faithfuls, are sometimes viewed as ordinary and commonplace.  Yet, like all creation they are "supremely, meticulously created".  

The heat is not the only thing taking my breath away 
when I'm in the garden on these hot summer days.
I am in awe.

12 comments:

Sue said...

Garden snobs don't like sunflowers and zinnias ( cosmos, marigolds, snapdragons, alyssum and so on!!)
I think garden snobs have DULL gardens. I love the color!!! And you've captured some beautiful photos.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Great post. Love the quote by Annie Dillard and your photos show the loveliness of these wonderful creations.

FlowerLady

Anonymous said...

I keep reading about garden snobs. Who does not use/like sunflowers, cosmos, alyssum, zinnia, and the color yellow etc.? Gardens I have been showing have them in spades. I agree Ginny, these zinnia and sunflowers make a great study up close, even if the quote says it is not a study. I enjoyed your up close look.

Karen said...

Where would I be without my zinnias, marigolds and (gasp!) petunias??! Oh, garden snobs are so silly. If it blooms, it's a friend of mine (even some weeds).

Love your picture.

Cat said...

Ha without 'common' flowers, I'd have nothing blooming! My Susans, zinnias and cosmos are what's getting me through this horrid drought. Great quote Ginny - so true!

Donna said...

So true...I love when flowers unfurl..they look so different through all their stages that I am in awe for weeks sometimes months...

Toni said...

I've said it before, I'd rather have a whole garden of common plants that are blooming and thriving that I don't have to baby and pamper than a garden of the rare and exotic that I have to worry about every less-than-ideal condition. Yea for zinnias and cosmos!!

Beth at PlantPostings said...

Ditto the sentiments of the others. I get the feeling Hostas are in the same category for shade gardeners, but my garden would be so boring with out the Hostas that grow so well here! And they don't have to be pampered at all! I love Zinnias and Sunflowers, too. And they're excellent cut flowers!

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Ginny, I wish everyone could see a beauty in everyday common things!
Lovely images!

Rosie Nixon Fluerty said...

Amen Ginny. There is so much beauty in even the smallest of things.

debsgarden said...

Great quote, and beautifully illustrated. Thanks!

beth said...

i couldn't agree more with you.....the flowers this summer have been capturing my attention constantly.