resilience – Colorado Kid Daylilies

A proud bird with a golden tail. That was the tagline for one of the major airlines a few years ago. It makes me think of my bright and beautiful Aztec Firebird daylily. She is one of the brightest color combos in my yard.

But, let’s back up to my vicarious road trip through the daylilies. Who were the Aztecs? They were ancient people of Mexico. They flourished 700 years ago and are known for the massive size of its empire.

Aztec Ruins National Monument, NM – 2016

I have never been to the Aztec ruins of Mexico, but there are ruins called Aztec Ruins in New Mexico. They are Ancient Pueblo Ruins, like Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde – but when they were first discovered, they were thought to be built by the Aztecs. I can see why, because they appear to hold a fairly massive population.

It is the last couple of days until my nursing students graduate. I am buried in grading and ready to be done. I enjoy working from home because I can wonder outside and see my gardens despite the crazy spring wind this week. And, today I spied the first scapes of the year – Dream Catcher and Kokopelli. I am jazzed. I wonder if I can go back to being away from home 40 hours a week – it is weird how my creativity is back now.

At any rate, soon enough Aztec Firebird will bloom her big, bright bloom. A bird rising from her own ashes. She is an inspiration and symbol or resilience during these crazy COVID times. I am grateful for my garden now more than ever. And, gratitude sure beats arguing over masks on social media.

Daylilies bring positive emotion to most folks. The bright colors are engaging and awe inspiring. This year, I gave daylilies away to friends and coworkers. I gave them away at some cost to myself. Next year, I think I may try to sell some of my daylily offspring to offset the costs of my hobby.

Passionate Returns

This year, though, I chose to give them. At first, I was just wanting to thin mine so they would do better in the pots. So, I found takers. The very cool side effect was seeing friends I had not seen for a while. One coworker even came to Montrose to pick hers up (well, amongst other errands here). Wow, makes me wish I lived closer to Colorado Springs where the Daylily Society meetings are. Life can be isolated in rural America.

Broadening and building resources means keeping our ratios of positivity high. That helps us reach out to others, thus forming networks of resilience. I need to be working on that ratio right now. My job requires an attitude of positivity, always. It is business, 100%. That means I need to surround myself in a garden of supportive friends. The daylilies are a start.

PS – I loved the red yucca pods (above). They add a fall touch to the yard as the daylilies dwindle,

Colorado Kid Daylilies

A Blog About My Western Colorado Daylily Adventure

Tag: resilience

A little help from my friends