Pondering Peonies

...and the solace of compost

Peonies, Double Exposure 6/26/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Hello dear reader,¹

Still feeling doubly-exposed, but grateful for the ritual of pondering ‘composting’ peonies in the midst of our move.²

A Passion for Peonies, Square 6/10/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Drive to landfill with detritus from the garage.

Peony Play, 6/18/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Dump 2 bags of old sheets and towels into the textile recycling bin.

Dying Peonies, 6/22/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Deliver to storage plastic tubs filled with stuff for our daughter’s future apartment.

Detail, Peonies 6/23/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Deposit paper bags of decades old taxes and financial statements into the UPS store shredder bin.

Showing Up, 6/23/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Spend hours re-reading old college essays I haven’t yet composted or recycled.

Dying Peonies, 6/25/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Stare at dying drying peonies and long for time in the studio…

Detail, Dying Peonies 6/25/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Sell three old down comforters as a result of postings on the local listserv.

Dying Peonies, 6/26/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Add 4 new items to the ‘move management’ list, but only remove one.

Dying Peonies, Morning 6/27/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Wonder what to do with 3 vintage dolls that once belonged to my mother-in-law that I somehow just can’t give away, even though my children have no interest.

Load 2 trunks with our daughter’s American Girl Doll collection, most gifts from my mother-in-law, but some gifted to our daughter after her only girl cousin died.

What is it about a young girl’s dolls?

Detail 2, Dying Peonies, Afternoon 6/27/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

Once again document the colors, textures and shapes of spent flowers, feeling particularly grateful for the yellow peony, symbol, among other things, of new beginnings.³

Once again, seduced by the all of it, especially how the sheer act of bringing these images together in this space fills me with such wonder and joy.

Peonies in the Afternoon Light, 6/27/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

What have you been pondering lately?

I’d love to hear from you.

Drying Yellow Peony, Detail 6/29/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

And, thank you, as always, for sharing your time and this space with me. If you know anyone who might appreciate these words and images, please pass this post along.

Drying Peonies, 6/29/24 Photo by Lyn Swett Miller

With gratitude for you being you,

Lyn

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1. Yes, I’ve been binge-watching Bridgerton. It’s been a fabulous distraction from packing as well as inspiration for this missive. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

2. OK, so if I’m honest, I have no idea how this post offers any new insights into the convergence of compost, climate and creativity. That said, it’s always about process for me and at the moment I am processing so much that it’s hard to make sense of it all.

Hopefully the idea of showing up to one thing on a regular basis even when the rest of life seems overwhelming resonates.

3. There are many sources of information about peonies and their symbolism. This article from the Bloom and Wild Blog describes that in addition to new beginnings yellow peonies also symbolize happiness, warmth, friendship and prosperity.

It does seem somewhat arbitrary how these blooms are endowed with meaning. It seems to me we can say that something symbolizes whatever we want it to, and as long as we believe it, that’s good enough. I will hold onto the new beginnings idea, though, for the yellow peonies, as at this particular moment, it works!