Despite Adversity
Zinnias Reaching UpLast week, I wandered on about the relationship between cutworm grubs and creativity. This week, I offer you zinnias as seen from above, looking straight down. These zinnias were all volunteers that I transplanted, so we had no idea what we were going to end up with. I must admit, I’m very pleased.
This past week was very hot, with three days in a row of 108 F, before we “cooled” to 106 F and even 103 F. We’ve only had one day since June 19th where we didn’t hit 100 F, and that day was 99 F. The flowers on the snapdragons, trumpet vines, and even desert willows are crisping almost as soon as they open, but the zinnias not only keep on flowering, they have fresh buds. Their tough leaves may wilt by the end of day, but a little water perks them right up.
I have a fondness for the so-called “Language of Flowers” (so-called because there are many variations on which flower means what). In one list, zinnias are said to symbolize “thoughts of absent friends.” Another list adds to this “lasting affection; goodness; constancy.”
Someday, I’d like to use the language of flowers in a story, (but I haven’t found the right story yet). If I did, I think I’d want to add another meaning for zinnia, sort of an expansion on the idea of constancy. Maybe I’d have it symbolize “perseverance in the face of adversity,” because the zinnia does this so well, without ever losing its beauty.
