If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store, two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
– Saadi Shirazi
Hello, MARtians!
Smell the air outside. The earth is warming up and releasing an olfactory collage of organic perfumery. It is getting mighty close to the spring holidays too. Whatever you celebrate, if you’re invited to a dinner party, bring hyacinths – and I’ll tell you why.
Hyacinths have the ability to conjure bright sunny skies, sweet and gentle breezes and the warmth of impending spring, even on the most overcast days. I love the sweet and powerful perfume a potted hyacinth exudes. These plants perk up a bland tablescape with a splotch of vibrancy. Not only is the hyacinth a terrific host/hostess gift, it is a perfect treat for yourself. And these days, who doesn’t need a pick-me-up to propel you from the winter doldrums?
Another reason I love the potted hyacinth, or other similar spring bulbs, is the reusability. It can be enjoyed as a gift at that moment and then popped into a dull spot in your garden. That’s two benefits for the price of one! Oh, how I love these generous flowers. Hyacinths give selflessly over and over.
So MARtians, while you’re impatient for that warm gardening weather, as Saadi would say, “Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.”
Stay cheerful, and do it with flowers.
