Cyclamens are a genus of 23 perennial flower plants that need to be indoors and out of direct sunlight. Maria planted several on the North Side of the farmhouse, on the living room windowsills. I haven’t looked there lately; today, she dragged me over, and I rushed for my camera. I don’t have only summer flowers from the summer to share.
I have some beautiful ones blooming right here in the house.
I had a happy hour staring at them, circling them, moving them for the best light, and fiddling with the camera settings. I hope this brings as much light to you as it has to me. I can never thank Maria enough. She always looks out for me and what I need while never giving up on her own desires.
We have a friend who has devoted herself to being “super-supportive” of her boyfriend; she will go anywhere he goes and do anything he wants to do anywhere he wants to do it. He wants to uproot them and move to someplace she has never been and knows nothing about. She thinks it’s adventurous and supportive. It makes alarm bells ring for me.
I’ve seen too many relationships crash this way, including a marriage of mine.
I’ll be honest if she wants to talk about it with me. I think she’ll hate the place they might be going to; there is nothing there for her. But unless she asks, I’ll keep my mouth shut. There are too many people out there minding my business. I’m not sticking my nose into other lives.
She has no passion or work for him to support; she wants to help him 100 percent. We both know where this can lead.
This makes us nervous. In our relationship, we fully support and encourage one another, but the support is not unconditional. I would never ask her to give up her art for me, and she would never ask me to give up my writing.
We support what the other loves and needs, not just what we love and need.
I don’t want to be one of those men asking for or expecting that. Today, on this holiday, she is having lunch with a good friend; I’m making myself some soup. I am proud that she never hesitates to do something she wants; being supportive is often about what the person you love wants, not just getting what you want.
Here is home-grown flower therapy from Bedlam Farm. Come and see the first photos. There will be more. I’m happy to put these new and home-grown photos up as flower therapy during rainy, dark, and cold days.
I didn’t know plants as beautiful as this could grow through the harshest winter. Maria loves them and takes exceptional care of them. It felt like old times and made me realize how much I miss my raised garden beds. But in the meantime, I have old pictures to put up and now, some bright and beautiful new ones. I had great fun figuring out the angles.
We have two or three Cyclament plants, and as they grow, I will be right there to watch them. This will help me bridge the five or six months it will take for my raised beds to rise.
I didn’t have any sunlight behind me or in front of me; I was eager to test some shots in the daylight.
I’m told this is a succulent plant, but it is strangely beautiful.
I have a plant like the one in your last photo. I love that the little plants that grow off the bigger leaves drop off and take root and grow! Mine bloomed only once but the flowers were so delicate and graceful. I’m not sure what the plants name is but my mom always called it a Momma plant ? Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Josie..
That succulent looks like a Mexican hat plant. If you nurture the babies you will have MILLIONS.
I know the succulent as Mother of Millions. Each of those little babies will grow a new plant. Here in the Central Valley of California I grow them under my roses. Also we can grow Cyclamen outside and they do quite well in the winter. I have about 2 dozen in my flower beds. So cheerful as I dodge the rain drops!!
Wonderful photos!
Hi Jon, there are hardy cyclamen also that will grow outside as someone already mentioned. The ones you have inside will not survive outside so enjoy!
hi there. just came across your blog space. this one rang in my ear . . . of couse the photos of lovely flowers will draw me in, but especially the bit about being supportive does not mean unconditional. not giving up self (completely).
thanks for sharing your thoughts here. I check in from time to time.
ps came to you by way of “Katz on Dogs”. we adopted an 8mos old puppy (“tupper”, yellow lab/male) the end of november and have found your writing very helpful and and enjoyable reading. ??
With beautiful colors displayed in your flower photos, they recall to me the words of Ruskin, something to the effect of, “Those who feel deeply, love color.” That is certainly true in my case. Opening the curtains this morning, I was in time to take in some beautiful orange from sunrise, & there came the accompanying thought,–first gift of the day. That was closely followed by the 2nd gift: in the kitchen, a touching violin & piano piece by a favorite composer, Ralph Von Williams.–Music, as you have recently written, another element that elevates the mood when gray skies & cold are prevalent.
I love Cyclamen flowers…they remind me of graceful ballerinas! I have an old plant that is down to only four leaves, but the crown keeps pushing out blooms all year long. I have two buds that have popped up in the last week. Mine is a vivid pink.
Google Images calls it Mother of Thousands (kanlanchoe daigremontiana)
You’re good.