243 Ave. Rd., Toronto
Stop and Smell
You have all heard the saying, “Stop and smell the roses.” It’s a phrase that was used often in the ’60s (not sure if it had anything to do with hippie flower power). The message is hurry and worry less. Simon and Garfunkel, the exceptional duo singers, put it this way in their piece Feelin’ Groovy. “Slow down, you move too fast. Yah gotta make the mornin’ last.”
In any event, whenever I trek with the boys through the residential neighbourhoods, where great pride is displayed in individual landscaping, we check out not only the roses but any flowering bush, for that matter. I guess you could call it flower-hopping. It’s quite remarkable how diverse are these precious creations. Not only are they fragrant (almost enough to get you high), but their varied shapes, textures, and colours are enough to convince you that you’re in Svargaloka, heaven.
When city councils decide to adorn the downtown with les fleur fragrant, they enhance the beauty of the place and also have a positive effect of bringing down the crime level. Wow! What power they have!
My dad was a flower man. Being Dutch, he had the touch. And what about all those gorgeous images of Krishna in Goloka, the spiritual realm, with all the living colour of soft petals of exotic flowers? It’s stunning, really.
May the Source be with you!
By Kamala Priya Devi Dasi