Larkspur in north Idaho

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Originally uploaded by bonny lass

My greatest joy on this bike ride, and most other times, was the fresh array of flowers and plants. I read a short article the other day about a study that was done, in which women were given different types of gifts, and about which ones made them smile. (Apparently there's a lot of money out there for conducting studies. Note to self.)

Anyway, the only gift that made EVERY woman smile was--flowers. (Note to boyfriend.)

You just can't mess with the power and beauty of something that already has its own artistry, its own life, its own character and message. As a student of flower essence and plant spirit therapies, I already know that each plant has its own gift and message for us. Most healing practices, through eons, stem from the plant world--plants are the natural apothecary provided for our well being.

And of course, there is the more immediate, obvious gift of plants. Beauty.