The world in a small Styrofoam cup
May 11, 2008 by montucky
Consider the Glacier Lily.
The other day while going through the check stand at the local grocery store I noticed that there were a number of these pretty wildflowers sitting on the counter in a small Styrofoam cup and commented on how pretty they were. The checker, a young woman whom I had often seen there but did not really know, agreed that they were very pretty and mentioned that she had never seen them before one of the other employees put them on her counter.
Just a few days before, I had seen them growing in great abundance along several miles of a trail that ran beside a small stream not far from the town, and thinking that I might tell her where she could see them growing naturally in the wild, I asked her if she ever did any hiking.
Her reply was that she never hiked at all if she could possibly avoid it.
How sad!
These are beautiful Terry, they remind me of the Trout Lilies we have here, wonderful images !!
They must be very closely related to the Trout Lilies. I’ve only see photos of them though.
That is very sad to live so close to the beauty of nature and never venture out past the pavements and parking lots.
Thanks for the pictures of the beautiful flowers!
I can’t imagine anyone passing an opportunity t see these lovely lilies. Blows my mind!
I do my best thinking when I’m hiking. (Sometimes I do my ONLY thinking when I’m hiking.)
All of the glacier lilies I ran into were single… the ones with many heads on them are really pretty. I’ve only found them in one spot over here where they grow with wild abandon. Sadly, that area is now being logged and I wonder what it will do to the lilies I’ve seen. Meanwhile, gorgeous shots! (I love how many flowers are being produced on one stem… that is really pretty!)
That’s what I think too, Sara. For only a very small bit of effort…
Bo,
I encountered the same thing a number of years ago when the Bear grass was in bloom. It was spectacular that year! I told a bunch of people and only one ever went to see it.
It seems to me also that being outdoors enhances the thought process. Thoughts come together while my mind is relaxed.
Lori,
I hope the logging doesn’t wipe them all out, although they will likely recover.
These were unusual because of the multiple blossoms and the size of them was incredible. This is a great year for the Lilies even if not much else blooms.
the pictures are nice, but if I had a chance to see them on a hike, I would have to go for it!
I agree, silken. A photo, or a bouquet, can never replace seeing a living being in complete harmony with its world.
What a lovely post. I think many of us fail to appreciate the things that we grow up surrounded by.
How very sad indeed. I wish everyone got out and appreciated the beauty around them more. How can we make that happen, I wonder?
Patia,
One would think in the area in which we live there would be more appreciation than there is. I recall from my childhood memories it was nearly universal back then.
Winterwoman,
I sure wish I knew. I hope that what you and I and others who have similar blogs do helps, although I wonder to what extent we are “preaching to the choir”. I think the things you do with the children has by far the most powerful and long-lasting impact!