Friday, March 28, 2025

irony of our cultures ignorance & results of non-stop asking by (me!) sandra #ladybirdjohnsonwildflowercenter

    inspired by our recent visit to lady bird johnson's wildflower center.

 quite intentionally just changed two words from my recent writings about the irony of our cultures 'benevolence' & results of our non-stop 'giving.'

benevolence    ignorance     giving   asking. 

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i miss, MISS, MISS,   -i miss the days i could purchase something and not be asked for more.  this post is a direct result of being asked for more, one too many times.

it is also a direct result of my understanding that, "Thank You!" to this blog, i have a place i can say what i wished i would have said; but didn't.

what i wished i would have said at the lady bird johnson wildflower center in austin, texas  -when at the register in their gift store:

store clerk    "would you like to round up? and donate to our center"

wish i woulda, calmly, respectfully, in a clear and poised Christian tone said the following

"well, i kinda think we already did quite a bit to support your center.

1.  we returned, and brought others.  we paid admission for 4 adults.

2.  we ate our lunch at your cafe.   that is, we paid for 4 lunches, supporting your cafe and center.

3.  we are write now, shopping in your gift store..   spending over $100..  

so, we returned, brought others, paid admittance, dined at your cafe, shopping in your gift store..

my answer is NO; i do not want to 'round up'

-would be really nice just to have someone say, "Thank You!"

*******
the only thing i did actually say at the register was "no."   -and it has nothing to do with the amount..  small change.  but we are asked for small change every. frickin'. where. we. go. 

i am now a hard NO at every register.   -aware of this irony:  if lady bird johnson's wildflower center charged each of us $1 more per adult to enter...    if 'more' was 'camouflaged' in the entry fee  

and they didn't ask us to 'round up' at the gift store register.   wouldn't bother me a bit.

   -free advice to many businesses

*****
now, also has nothing to do with my love for lady bird johnson, or wildflowers, or the center..    i was so excited to return!  and mistakenly thought, visiting in march [spring] would yield more flowers than in July [summer].   i was wrong.   it was filled with greenery; but very few flowers in bloom..    

i have since learned, maybe late april early may..   and will try again.   

****
anyway, 

be me for a minute k,   -me, the author/playwrite of  kissin' the chocolate blues; me, enormous fan of dr maya angelou   [disciple maybe..]



and we paused at a pond at the lady bird johnson wildflower center..   and there are many plaques all around identifying the name of plant, flower..     

but this plaque:



and, so i was like..   i find that disturbing!   chinese proverb!?!   don't they know..   i mean this is a college  -attached to a college...


but, 

i would also learn  -quite later in life, 

 

 and so, i bought that book too.   i keep it with my collection of maya angelou books.

we could spend an entire day on the topic of 'origins' of quotes..  who really 1st said...

truth is  -not knowing the truth, 

well, its a strange paradox i think..

if you incorrectly associate a quote to someone who didn't 'initially' say it..

you could live out your entire mortal life with little to no consequence for that ignorance

but if you are able to 'know' accurately who 1st said what..   when it is a life enhancing/enlightening quote   -place it in its original context of the true author's life story..  understand what combination of internal/external experiences inspired the words.. how did a given quote manifest; etc. 

it might just....

well,  look at where we arrive together:  at the truth.   -which, according to the Bible; sets us [ caged birds] FREE..

****

i remain highly interested in truths.

****

close here with a big "Thank You!" to my husband and adult children.   In speaking truths..  when you are visiting austin, texas, 

with all their great music, crazy awesome BBQ, amazing restaurants and bars in general, parks/lakes/rivers/trails, shopping districts..

going to the lady bird johnson wildflower center might not be highest on the must-visit list.

we still joke as a family...   "mom, are we going to be the youngest ones there?     -no, no,  -there will entire families!"

and, at one point, i saw a cluster of people..  mostly grandparents/great grandparents, but, WITH their very young great grandchildren or grandchildren

i pointed to a toddler in the arms of his grandma..   "see! you are not the youngest ones here!"

but, it really does, at a glance here and there, appear as if, one or two generations in the middle are somehow absent entirely

our young adult children, may have been the only 20-something's there.  save only, a young engaged couple and their photographer taking pictures in the beautiful landscape..

in any case..  great sports! my husband and grown children..      much appreciated!

can't wait to 'return to the scene of great times' next year.

In Jesus is the reason for all seasons name..   selah! hallelujah! & amen!

*****
pix from our 2024 visit.       pix/memories from our 2025 visit:

  we entered w/a docent pointing out athena..

which inspired me to share a quick pix of my mixed media, fall owl bliss

i do want to find a permanent home for our owl; a special place where it will be protected and visible to a public who might appreciate and enjoy it    -currently a mascot at our home, dressed for whatever the special occasion might be..

***




wildflowerly grateful for this experience; family time..   memories.   hallelujah & amen

posted by SANDRA MICKANEN @ 10:13 AM

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