{personal} on flowers

Today was a lazy Sunday spent reading Amy Merrick's beautiful book On Flowers. It is divided into six sections on arranging flowers, city flowers, country flowers, fancy flowers, humble flowers and far away flowers. I love how the book is one part memoir one part instruction on flower arranging, but mostly it's about finding and appreciating flowers everywhere you look. I was immediately inspired to run outside and snip a strand of jasmine growing underneath the stairs to our apartment and take a few photographs.

Part of me wishes I had polished the leaves to remove the water stains from the sprinkler at our apartment building. But at the same time, leaving them be makes them true "city flowers." Perfectly imperfect.

From On Flowers by Amy Merrick:

"City Things To Do

Look both ways before crossing the street to look at flowers. 
Stay on the grass. 
Start an imaginary art collection. 
Walk the long way, preferably through the park. 
Put bouquets in your window. 
Smile when you see flowers in someone else's window. 
Watch birds in the park.
Throw a picnic dinner party. 
Carry flowers on the subway.
Order dinner at midnight, because you can. 
Talk to taxi drivers. 
Walk in all kinds of weather. 
Go to the botanical garden in winter. 
Overtip often. 
Volunteer in a community garden. 
Keep herbs on your windowsill.
Take yourself on a very fancy cake date. 
Read a book on the train. 
Make a container garden. 
Know your local florist by name. 
Say it with flowers."