I love yard work! Not only do I find it therapeutic, but I also get a lot of head-writing done while pushing the mower.
I appreciate that the neighbors on each side of us work hard to keep weeds at bay. Last week there was a knock at the door. When I opened it, one of our neighbors said, “Please keep Willa and Lexi in for a while because I’ve sprayed for weeds on both sides of the chain link fence.”
Thanking her for her thoughtfulness, I stepped outside to see the weeds she was referring to. Wouldn’t you know it—they were the little purple flowers that I actually encourage to grow. I think they’re beautiful! I’m glad they’re still plentiful on the other side of the yard where they grow in profusion the full length of the privacy fence.
It’s been said that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” meaning that “beauty” depends on who’s doing the looking—the “beholder.”
What is your definition of beauty?
© TuesdaysWithLaurie.com
Tuesdays with Laurie 
what a wonderful story you share
The London Flower Lover – I’m glad this post resonated with you. Thank you for letting me know 🙂
I agree. I keep some of the weeds as they provide shelter for insects, worms, etc, which are beneficial to the garden, but I try to keep them under control. I too find weeding and gardening in general therapeutic; I just wish the weather made up its mind this year and stayed warm so that I could do more work outdoors.
Fatimasaysell – Our weather has been on the finicky order as well. Like you, I’d like it to settle in the warmer temperatures and stay put for a while 🙂
what a fabulous post, Laurie! thanks for sharing. it’s a great reminder that life is all about how you look at things. focus on the positive, and on “beauty” wherever you can find it. 🙂
Victoria – I’m glad this post resonated with you 🙂
Hum! I believe Laurie I might have a quiet natural definition of beauty that leans slightly towards melancholy with sweeping spaces and movements. Beauty has an underlying sense of peace for me… and it smells nice, like sandalwood soap and lavender.
Terrill – Your definition of beauty is so YOU — If I’d read it elsewhere I would have immediately thought of YOU!
Grrrrrrr…my neighbor said the same thing about some of these wild flowers growing in the easement area of my property near the sidewalk.
A quote from my last post “The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.”
And, as for spraying chemicals, there are just other ways to get rid of weeds.
Mow and write on!
Thorns4Roses – I love the quote you shared here, THANK YOU!
I see somehow the original post resurrected . . .dang! I almost always copy something before logging in one more time to be on the safe side, but in this case it beyond me to figure out what is happening at WP and their hiccups.
Beauty is certainly tied to context (ex. women’s beauty over the ages) and sensibilities. I can find beauty and it’s cousins (awe, wonder, sublime) … in seeing the star sky from the wilderness; or my first view of the northern lights or simply noticing yesterday that there were small buds on the bush at the end of my driveway. The is beauty too in a child’s smile; laughter around a table; so many little moments of connection. Beauty in the quiet moment. Thanks for asking; a fun reflection.
Audrey – I enjoyed reading the examples you provided. And I really like the “cousin” aspect – awe, wonder, and sublime 🙂
As they say, one person’s weed is another person’s wildflower. But I am horrified that people in this day and age are still using weed killer chemicals…. unfortunately they don’t stay put but seep out into the world in the soil, the water and the air. I don’t think I would be thanking her for her “thoughtfulness,” just the opposite!!!
RMW – Especially because of our animal companions, we’ve used alternative methods for years. As an example, whenever we get ants, we sprinkle coffee grounds on their “trail” and they shift gears immediately and head elsewhere. And if for some reason our dogs decided to eat the coffee grounds, no harm done.
A pleasing and restful – perhaps gracious place where I rest my eyes for a while and feel warm inside doing so
WiseJourney – Just reading your description is relaxing 🙂
That’s such a beautiful flower, Laurie. Someone once told me that a weed is only a misplaced flower.
Leanne – “A weed is only a misplaced flower.” I will always remember that, thank you 🙂
I love your purple flowers! I’d never get rid of something that beautiful. Just because it grows on its own doesn’t mean it’s undesirable.
Dalesittonrogers – I love your observation: “Just because it grows on its own doesn’t mean it’s undesirable.”
I posted this one on my FB page and my Twitter feed, it’s a good read.
NoBusySignal – Oh my goodness, thank you very much for sharing this post 🙂
Oh we have a great many of those wood violets in our yard, we encourage them as a ground cover, along with Woodruff and dandelions near my father in law’s 27 roses we inherited. The Aphids like those dandelions best!
Beauty – I just try to keep beauty in mind all the time – it works better than saying relax or find God in this person….I just think look for the beauty and I never seem to miss finding it. I do not have success if I am tense and worried or being attacked…I have to come back later and revisit to find the beauty in the event.
Will share!
I just love roses – they are so easy to find beautiful, thorns and all 🙂
Patricia – So that’s what those pretty little purple flowers are, Wood Violets! I love what you said about intentionally (on purpose) looking for beauty 🙂
I even think dandelions are pretty. I use them quite a bit in my kitchen.
Athursdayschild – I’ve seen full “blown” dandelions (puffy white heads) in huge, beautiful glass containers that make stunning center pieces!
That sounds pretty. Actually I meant we eat them in salads and pestos, and once hummus which was really good.
Athursdayschild – Yes, the health benefits are numerous! (just as “beautiful” on the inside of a person as they are on the outside)…
I don’t like doing yard work at all. I had someone cut my grass last week and the fact that I hate doing it so much, the grass was growing two days later. It’s a burden that takes up a lotta time. I always manage to get in a solid night’s sleep afterwards though but I don’t like sleep all that much either. I’m gonna get somebody else to do it as much as I can.
Totsymae1011 – I’ve seen your beautiful artwork and I’d much rather have you actively creating that and posting it on your blog, than messing with yardwork 🙂
I’ve been looking all over for the beauties that I used to pick by the fistful as a child. It’s a bit of a challenge for the dandelion as well now that our childhood favorites are considered a nuisance & imperfect for the landscape of the urban & sub~urban green farmers alike… I myself didn’t consider them the gift that they are until researching the healing benefits that God provided for us through our nature that surrounds us on every side as well as inside each one of us~
Wonderful post Laurie…sharing~
Judy – It’s amazing the number of healing ingredients that Mother Nature has provided right in our yards and neighborhoods 🙂
Hi Laurie
I don’t have a “definition” of beauty, it is not a rational thing, but rather something I experience.
It seems that the experience of beauty comes from the mix of genetic, cultural and experiential factors that go to make up the unique beings that we all are, and that the holographic recall mechanisms of our brains “join the dots” on all of that data in the way that is most relevant to the context of our minds in that instant.
Sometimes, the connections so formed have a sublime quality that resonate across multiple domains of experience and being – and this seems to be what we experience as beauty.
It seems it can be triggered by what is seemingly the most insignificant of things, or the most profound – it is almost impossible to consciously predict what is going to trigger it; a falling leaf, a flash of light, a curve (or a girlie set of curves), a sound, an idea.
To me they are like little gems on the journey of life.
Ted – I think it’s cool that we can’t know in advance what’s going to trigger the experience of beauty. Like you said it could be something insignificant or profound. We just have to wait and be surprised 🙂
Yikes !! Those look like Violets to me. I find them “simply” beautiful. I honor them in my flower processional spring song. I arrived here today because the title you shared at ANG and a serendipitous quotation felt to me as if they belonged together –
“The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.” ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
I think an awareness of beauty is that important to abundant well-being. Apprehending beauty is a soul fully engaged with the preciousness of life.
Deb – I’m so glad you stopped by serendipitously and shared the Frank Lloyd Wright quote, THANK YOU!
My back yard is a mixed bag, clover, violets by the thousand, fecue and some bermuda. It is a turf managers nightmare and so perfect for me! When the violets and forget-me-nots are in bloom there is a sheen of purple covering the surface, when the clover is blooming, very much like an explosion of popcorn. With all the rain we’ve had it seems I’ve got popcorn fore and aft, which is fine. I can wait another day to mow.
Sandi – “…a sheen of purple,” and “…an explosion of popcorn.” Those are perfect descriptors! And it’s reassuring for me to know that a Master Gardener enjoys a bit of color other than green in her lawn 🙂
Unselfishness/benevolence is always beautiful to my eyes wherever and whenever I behold that being displayed .
Roamer – I love what you shared and agree one-hundred percent. yes, Yes, YES!
“Beauty as we feel it is something indescribable; what it is or what it means can never be said.”
― George Santayana
Santayana beautifully defines beauty, and I’d be hard pressed to contest it. But in more tangible terms it’s discernible is a great painting, symphony or opera aria or the sky in the sunset or the picturesque wonder of a snowfall on a winter landscape. Beauty is all around us for sure, we just need to focus on it and embrace it, cherish it, and hold on on it as long as possible.
Great post Laurie!
Sam – I oh-so-agree that we need to cherish it. And I love the quote you shared here, THANK YOU!
Really? They were weeds? LOL! I am not sure I can find any way to understand that one. Oh well…beauty to me is courage and resilience. That comment probably wouldn’t have rung quite so true or been my first thought if I hadn’t just been watching some news coverage from Oklahoma. I’m just a little overwhelmed at what people endure, and how they respond under pressure, often with more grace than I can even imagine!
Three Well Beings – I share your same sense of overwhelm for the people in Oklahoma, and fully agree with your sentiments regarding Courage and resilience.
A violet by any other name is a violet! Weed my foot! Earlier in the season, summer is upon us here on the East Coast, in all the lawns are white violets, they are truly amazing, of course this when everyone begins to mow their lawns…
You know my definition of beauty! It can be found in anything and everywhere, just look and see, with your hearts eyes!
Jeff – I love your comment: “…just look and see with your heart’s eyes.”
I knew you would ! One hows motto is “follow your heart”!
Some people just don’t know a good weed when they see one! lol 😉
Europasicewolf – Your comment made me smile, thank you 🙂
I agree, “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” The more we appreciate the simplest of things and all that the day has to give, the more we realize how blessed we are. Have a wonderful day my friend.
Island Traveler – Thank you for the gift of your reflection.
I Nominate you for a Bouquet of Awards – 11 Nominations
Please Choose any 4 of the 11 awards
please accept it and oblige
http://ajaytao2010.wordpress.com/2013/05/23/a-bouquet-of-awards-11-nominations/
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Very lovely, Laurie. I like all kinds of beauty (such as the beautiful geraniums my mom just planted) but there is a special place in this heart for ordinary unexpected beauty. Little purple flowers, an unexpected kindness, delight when you least expect it. Yes! That’s what delights this heart. Unexpected beauty. In small or large form, human or otherwise. My heart grows six sizes every day with the unexpected gifts of beauty the Universe shares.
Such as your post. 🙂
Kathy – Thank you 🙂
Kathy – “Delight when you least expect it.” I love your definition of beauty!
Beautiful flowers! I had some wild flowers growing in my front yard and I refused to let my husband mow over them. So we have an odd-shaped yard…to some. 🙂
AirportsMadeSimple – I odd shaped yard means you march to the beat of your own drummer 🙂
Oh – the question: My definition of beauty? When someone is lost in doing something they enjoy.
AirportsMadeSimple – Ah yes, that is, indeed, BEAUTIFUL!
You draw out a very important point with your brief analogy. Your neighbour intended well, but what was weed to her, was flower to you.
Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
I have previously written a post to that effect.
http://teeceecounsel.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/advice-beauty-admiration-standards-and-self-optimization/
We’ve got to aim high and work hard to reach our ideals. People around us don’t see things through our eyes. Lovely post!
Teeceecounsel – thank you for sharing your link, I appreciate it 🙂
You are always welcome! Your thoughts are always insightful. Keep up the good work! 🙂
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I’m glad I’m not the only person who thinks this way 🙂 ! It is very true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What beautiful little purple flowers 🙂
PinkDustyDreams – I’m glad this post resonated with you, thank you for letting me know 🙂
People mean well…but sometimes…smile…I know what you mean about beauty being in the eye of the beholder–my granddaughter Nadia brought me the dandelion with a wonderful smile on her face! I accepted it and placed it in water! She was so proud and I am so grateful for her kind heart in my life!
JohannIsThinking – That singular dandelion from Nadia is probably the prettiest dandelion you will ever glance upon 🙂
thoughtful yes…but oh the wood violets! they are used in tussy mussies…!
wild ones have an incredible fragrance, early morning and late evening….
I am glad you are encouraging them Laura…!
they are so pretty….
Take Care…
)0(
maryrose
MaryRose – I just love them (and they smell heavenly)!
Sometimes the weeds have the brightest and prettiest flowers. So very true, Laurie, beauty indeed lies in the eyes of the beholder
Thumbelina81 – I’m glad this post resonated with you, thank you for letting me know 🙂
I can’t imagine wanting to get rid of those beautiful purple flowers, Laurie! Like you say, thank goodness you have your own side of the fence. 🙂
Dana – Good to see you here 🙂
i can tell from the date that you and I were not yet acquainted. I love this short, sweet post and the neighborliness it reflects as well.
Marian – Thank you for taking a stroll back in time. I’m so doggon glad that we’re acquainted now! 🙂