We think of flowers as the purpose of a blooming plant, and the color and scent of a blossom as the truly desirable part of a plant’s life cycle. But what matters to the plant are the seeds that remain after the blossom is gone, for that is where creation resides.
What do you love all the better now that its shine has worn off?
I always have a pair of old worn out looking walking shoes that I resort to when I want to feel “at home” in them. Eventually that pair dies and another pair replaces them in following order. No shine there but lots of usefulness.
Incidentally the purple speared flowers (still in bloom) in the photo have two different names: (1) “Blazing Star” in Missouri (2) “Gay Feather” in Kansas. (Doubt, though, if that’s what caused the Civil War fights between the two states?)
I grew up in a brand-new custom-built house. I now live in a (sort of) old house, built in the 1920’s. When I was a kid in the brand-new house, every little ding, divot, or rug stain was a big deal, and I’d get yelled at for it often. My current home is nice, but it comes pre-dinged/divot-ed/and stained, so when we make another mark, it’s not a big deal. Imperfection is the norm here, and we feel comfortable and relaxed at home.