The events of the past week have left me non-plussed. A vocabulary word provided by an old friend’s ninety year old father. Non-plussed from the dictionary “surprised and confused so much they are unsure how to react.” My husband and I sat in our living room, open mouthed, watching events unfold in the United States of America I would have never dreamed possible. I decided a vase reflecting the colors of another crystal with healing energy from my father’s collection was in order. The vase is a Fostoria crystal container that belonged to my mother in law. My husband refers to them as butterscotch pudding bowls. I have no idea what they are really for, but they make a good vase.
My father, the geology professor, has been gone since 2003. I have family rocks. I think this is a Flourite crystal. They are known for their multi colored hues. This one is purple and coke bottle green with some greys and whites. They are know for their healing energy, I think that energy should be tapped wherever we can find it. Energymuse.com says this about Flourite – “The perfect prescription for a case of existential burnout, the purple color in the Fluorite crystal help you discover your divine purpose in life. It opens and stimulates the third eye chakra, clearing the way for spiritual expansion and a deeper sense of inner peace.” Existential burnout! Yep, you’re looking at it. The instructions go on to say carry the crystal with you.
The flowers in this vase are – in purple, Lantana of unknown origin; in white, Sweet Begonias (Begonia odorata ‘alba’); green and pink flowers are buds of Tropical Hydrangea (Dombeya wallachii); solid purple foliage is Purple Queen (Setcreasea pallida); varigated purple foliage is Transcandentia zebrina; green background foliage is Asparagus Fern.
Just for fun, I did another vase. I call this one the Pea shooter. The vase is a shot glass for tequila from my favorite niece’s wedding. The peas are the Bromeliad in the vase – this is an Aechmea Bromeliad, very weird flower that looked like canned peas to me. The curl is dried Blanchetiana Bromeliad foliage and the greenery is the other Asparagus fern that pops up in my garden.
Anybody else need a shot of tequila?
Thanks always to Cathy at http://www.ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com for hosting In a Vase on Monday. To see more vases (likely without tequila) visit the link….
Happy Gardening!
The Shrub Queen 
What a week. I didn’t think a new year would cure this time we are going through. That is a great idea for a shot glass.
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Unfortunately, you are completely right. I am not sure when our nightmare will be over…The shot glass is from a Houston wedding!
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Is non-plussed not a well known word in the US? It is certainly not unusual in the UK and I can see why you have used it in the context you have – strange times indeed…
Your vase, however, and the fluorite crystal supporting it, are of a different place and time altogether, offering a lightness and an energy to lift the spirits of any who choose to embrace it…what a great antidote, Amy! Your Pea Shooter makes a lovely ps to the main post too 😊
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Thank you, Cathy. I think non-plussed is a term used by what we call the Greatest Generation here, those who fought and came of age during World War II, my parents – I hope the energy from the crystal reverberates! The pea shooter bromeliad always makes me laugh, so weird.
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Sometimes we just have to focus in and pretend who is happening outside in the wide world is a ‘sick joke’ only to be encountered in a bad dream. Can’t think of anything better than finding flowers from the garden and arranging them, and bringing up good memories. Enjoyed reading your post. The tall glass looks like ones used in the UK for ice-cream sundaes,
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Noelle, I think you are right and truthfully, we are living a bad dream here and everywhere…Thank you, the flowers are saving my sanity!! The Fostoria crystal was a common wedding gift in the US in the 50s. I need to look up what it was for.
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I’m still so disturbed and angry about what happened, I can barely form sentences – “existential burnout” seems a perfect description. Thanks for sharing your antidotes. I guess I should start collecting some healing crystals of my own.
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Same here, Kris. Existential burnout had never occured to me – but it is a great description of how I feel.
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Wow, that second vase is such fun! A fancy cocktail indeed. 😉 Love the begonias in your first vase. Stay calm and keep that crystal at hand for emergencies!
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Thank you, Cathy..we need a little fun..someone said the curled leaf looked like bacon-and it does. Still laughing here, stay warm. I may put that crystal in my purse!
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A wonderful creative response to the latest outrage that was perpetrated against the law and order of this nation. Just when you think it couldn’t get worse, it does. I feel sick about it, worse than 9/11 as it was our own citizens that committed the crime. It feels so personal. I fear the healing will take a long time, the wound is deep, and each of us has our part to play. God help us.
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Thank you, I feel the same..it is worse. hoping for more solid leadership and no drama,
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Wouldn’t that be nice? We need a bit of stability… if that is even possible anymore.
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Eliza, it is going to be okay…
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If lantana is of unknown origin, is it not native?
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Totally not native
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Oh, so like the lantana here.
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home depot
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Amy, the whole world is appalled and non- plussed.
Your arrangements are lovely. You will keep flaunting your gorgeous dombeya and making me jealous. Your tequila shot is great fun.
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Thank you, Liz. I am hoping this brings about a sea change of non appalling politics. Not holding my breath. I wish you could see the Dombeya – I am thinking of tree forming it for next year. It is very pretty but kind of a graceless shrub.
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