Hidden Gems

One of the odd things I like about the internet is sometimes tripping over a pretty cool quote. A personal favorite, which at times I’ve added to my bio here (and may be here now?), is by author Roald Dahl who wrote “Charlie And The Chocolate Factory,” among many other stories. He was actually a pretty interesting guy. First book was “The Gremlins” … he’d been in the RAF and he and his buddies routinely blamed the gremlins when things went wrong with their aircraft. I mention this, not because anything went wrong with the image I’m including here, “Hidden Gems,” but because that’s what my dad always used to say as he puttered around the house … and things would go wrong.  I frequently have occasion to fuss at the gremlins myself.

Anyhow, the quote that I wanted to include is this one:

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” I believe that with all my heart.

“Hidden Gems” … from © Lois Bryan Photography and Digital Art

And that brings me back to “Hidden Gems.” My husband, our dog, Buddy, and my camera and I went for a long drive last summer … one of our stops was at a flower farm. Yep … just like cows and corn, they have flower farms. This one was in beautiful Loudon County, Virginia. But instead of neat rows of zinnias, the red ones, here, the purple ones there, etc., things were in a bit of a jumble. In the case of “Hidden Gems” the jumble included these lovely green-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) attended by dancing Queen Anne’s Lace, which I’d always thought were a wild flower.

At first glance, the photo on which this image is loosely based looked a confused mess. I wondered why I bothered to snap it. But … taking the advice of Mr. Dahl, I looked harder at the unlikely scene … and saw the magic. Hope you do too.

**************

As always, I urge you not to be shy … tell me some of your favorite quotes, or a story about something wonderful you found in an unlikely place!!

Also, don’t forget, clicking on the image whisks you to my web page where you can view up close and personal (mouse over the image and you’ll see a little green box … with a bit of patience and luck, the close-up will appear!).  Also, you’ll find a few ways to purchase the image either as wall art or on gift items.  I don’t mention it often, but I also license my stuff.  For a book cover, for example, or for your web page, lots of other uses.  Just contact me and we’ll work something out.

 

3642

I'd love to hear your thoughts!