"They're so friendly"

Daisy (or "day's eye"):

(photo compliment of inphotos.org)
meanings include innocence, purity, and are a classic symbol of beauty. Also known to be associated with simplicity and modesty; some believe that when ingested daisies have healing powers for stomach ulcers and when consumed over time can cure insanity. Dreams of daisies during the summer and spring are thought to bring good luck while dreams during the winter and fall are thought to bring a bad omen. Often their petals are plucked by a fair maiden to discover if her true love loves her or not.

While some women dream of a man riding up to them on a white stallion carring a large bouquet of red roses, I prefer a simpler method. My dreams consist of a man walking up to me with a quirky grin on his face carrying a bouquet of white daisies, formally known as bellis perennis. I find that the daisy embodies my personality and that is why I'm so drawn to it. Meg Ryan said it so eloquently in the 1998 Romantic Comedy You've Got Mail: "They're so friendly. Aren't daisies the friendliest flower?"

It wasn't until I decided to grow my own stash of: bellis perennis, shasta alaskian daisy, or what I call white daisies that I learned a little more about the flower itself. It originated in Europe and is more commonly known as a wild flower. At one time it was thought to bring bad luck to pluck them from a field and plant it into your garden; however, if they made their way there on their own you were said to be blessed for years to come. It embodies the ideal of purity and childhood innocence and has been said to have incredible healing powers.

Wow. Who knew such a little flower could mean so much. I couldn't help but stand amazed as I gazed at the picture of daisies I had scrounged up off the internet. This simple flower, that some find plain, had so much history and meaning. If God, my creator, put so much thought and meaning into a simple daisy then the amount of thought and meaning He put into me is so much greater!

As I watch them grow (hopefully) in my garden I will allow them to be a constant reminder that Christ knows who I am, loves who I am, and created who I am. I don't have to worry about picking their petals to see if "he loves me" or not. I know he loves me.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation." Psalm 13:5

Power Trip Security

This past weekend I had yet another audition for a Whodunnit show. Brandon, being the bestest hubby that he is, agreed to go with me for moral support. After church we headed to Office Depot to print a copy of my latest head shot to take to the audition with me.

It was so cold and nasty outside Brandon, not wanting to get out of the car, offered to keep the car running and warm for me. He's so sweet. He dropped me at the door and sat idling across the "street" waiting for me to return while I went inside and had my head shot printed.

As he waited, a Summit (that was the shopping center we were in) security guard pulled up behind him and walked to the car. He firmly asked Brandon to not park in the fire lane and would he please move his vehicle into a parking spot. Brandon knowing that he wasn't parked and that the fire lane was on the other side of the "street" (meaning he was not with in the yellow lines of the fire lane), sarcastically answered yes and pulled into a parking spot and continued to sit idling.

As we pulled out of the parking lot we saw the same security guard... parked, against the flow of traffic, and with in the yellow lines of the fire lane. We considered pulling up next to him and asking him not to park in the fire lane; however, in the end we decided against it.