Well, it’s finally 2021! How do you like it, so far? It’s Epiphany, and that means I can tick off another year here in the US. On January 6th, 1987 I moved here for the first time. (I took a 5-year break somewhere in the middle, so I’ve moved here twice.) Hard to believe that was 34 years ago…
Every year, I mark the day, but this year, the air is different. This year, there is a stirring of sorts – it feels as if people have somehow been through enough to have begun having their own epiphanies. They are starting to realize that what we have is worth the effort it will take to keep it. They are still counting votes in Georgia as I write this and, especially in one instance, it’s awfully close, but it feels like the gears are shifting, and it feels like hope. Amazing that it took this long, but hey – I’ll take it.
Screenshot from Merriam Webster Photo from the Peninsula Park Rose Garden, taken on a walk this past weekend.
It’s exhilarating to see wheels finally starting to turn, offering an actual possibility that they will take hold and engage. It is a long way back to the top. Hopefully the results of the Georgia runoffs will mean that we won’t have to linger so long on each step that the ideas and advances start to grow moss. (Even though you all know how much I love moss.) Thank you Georgia for turning out! Regardless of the outcome, it’s close enough to offer gobs of hope for the future. A promising start to the new year.
I was born and raised in Sweden, By now, I have lived almost as long in the United States. The path I’ve taken has been long and varied, and has given me a philosophical approach to life. I may joke that I’m a sybarite, but the truth is, I find joy and luxury in life’s simple things as well.
My outlook on life has roots in a culture rich in history and tradition, and I care a great deal about environmental stewardship. Aesthetically, while drawn to the visually clean, functional practicality and sustainable solutions that are the hallmarks of modern Scandinavia, I also have a deep appreciation for the raw, the weathered, and the worn - materials that tell a story. To me, contrast, counterpoint, and diversity are what makes life interesting and engaging.
Color has always informed everything I do. I’m a functional tetrachromat, and a hopeless plantoholic. I was originally trained as an architect working mostly on interiors, but soon ventured outside - into garden design. It’s that contrast thing again… An interior adrift from its exterior, is like a yin without a yang. My firm conviction that everything is connected gets me in trouble time and time again. The world is a big place, and full of marvelous distractions, and offers plentiful opportunities for inquiry and exploration.
I started writing to quell my constant queries, explore my discoveries, and nurture my curiosity. The Creative Flux was started in 2010, and became a catch-all for all kinds of intersecting interests. The start of Flutter & Hum at the end of 2013 marks my descent into plant nerd revelry. I occasionally contribute to other blogs, but those two are my main ones. For sure, topics are all over the map, but then again - so am I! Welcome to my blogs!
OMG, it was a nailbiter, wasn’t it? Curious about your vignette – did you photograph a dog turd? It’s kind of what this year feels like, in retrospect. Holy cow…
I didn’t know that epiphany also signified an event. I think it’s splendid (and perhaps serendipity!) that the date coincides with your arrival in the US. I’m very glad you settled here, even though it’s been hard to feel proud of the country for the last several years. Used to reading nothing but bad news one day after another recently, I was VERY happy to see the direction the run-off races in Georgia are going in today’s coverage. Fingers – and toes – are crossed.
Haha – thanks, Kris! Epiphany is a big deal in Sweden, even though we are a rather secular people. Most people don’t go back to work until after that day, so it’s kind of a lifestyle milestone.
I’m absolutely elated about Georgia and the nomination of Merritt Garland, and I’m going to make that my focus.
Eternally grateful! What an amazing effort she and her team has put in. And then the AG nomination…. wow! Feeling rather jubilant over here, if it weren’t for the unbelievable acts of Trump’s own encouraged and homegrown terrorists in DC. I don’t even know what to say… but I’m oddly not all that surprised. Almost glad it’s out in the open. Judging from the reactions, it has been a good reality check for lawmakers.
The Creative Flux 
Reblogged this on Flutter & Hum and commented:
Will there be cause for champagne? By the time you see this, we should know…
I keep hitting refresh on the NYT homepage…fingers crossed!
My WV is the closest I’ve come to a “year in review” kinda post…
http://www.thedangergarden.com/2021/01/wednesday-vignette-top-nine.html
OMG, it was a nailbiter, wasn’t it? Curious about your vignette – did you photograph a dog turd? It’s kind of what this year feels like, in retrospect. Holy cow…
I didn’t know that epiphany also signified an event. I think it’s splendid (and perhaps serendipity!) that the date coincides with your arrival in the US. I’m very glad you settled here, even though it’s been hard to feel proud of the country for the last several years. Used to reading nothing but bad news one day after another recently, I was VERY happy to see the direction the run-off races in Georgia are going in today’s coverage. Fingers – and toes – are crossed.
Haha – thanks, Kris! Epiphany is a big deal in Sweden, even though we are a rather secular people. Most people don’t go back to work until after that day, so it’s kind of a lifestyle milestone.
I’m absolutely elated about Georgia and the nomination of Merritt Garland, and I’m going to make that my focus.
It’s looking good and I’m so grateful for the two Senators Elect and Stacy Abrams and her team–so impressive!!
Eternally grateful! What an amazing effort she and her team has put in. And then the AG nomination…. wow! Feeling rather jubilant over here, if it weren’t for the unbelievable acts of Trump’s own encouraged and homegrown terrorists in DC. I don’t even know what to say… but I’m oddly not all that surprised. Almost glad it’s out in the open. Judging from the reactions, it has been a good reality check for lawmakers.
I am so happy with the results of the Georgia elections.
OMG – you and me both, Alicia! What a relief!!
The best of times, (Georgia runoff) the worst of times (the Capitol assault). We must endure!
Amen! We’re almost there – one day at a time.