Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Flower Power

A trip to the NYBG on October 30th gleaned these still-bloomers, which I have hoarded until this cold winter day. flower1flower2flower3flower4flower5

flower6Now, isn’t a living flower so much better than a dead one? And look, they’re not covered with poisons, as most of the roses people are buying today will be. Also, these free-growing plants are notably lacking in the memory of the pain and diminished lives of those who harvest roses in clouds of pesticides and herbicides far from our shores.

The commodification of love is what gets celebrated today, unless you say otherwise.

mthew

2 responses to “Flower Power”

  1. elwnyc

    Ok – I had to look it up: “Commodification is the transformation of goods, services and ideas into commodities or objects of trade.” I’m not sure how that differs from commercialization, a word I’m more familiar with.

    But I agree with your point. I’m celebrating Valentine’s Day – and fighting cabin fever – by having neighbors over for tea/coffee and cookies.

    Reply
    1. mthew

      “Commodification” comes from the old new lefty in me, the transformation of not just things but also ideas and emotions into products of an economic exchange system. Hot beverages and cookies sound delightful.

      Reply

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