Walking through my winter garden, I could not help but see the likeness of human characteristics in flowers - like the mix of guests who pass through our Lily's Cottage week after week, and also the people in my life.
I thought I would try and take a photo of each little flower I could find in my garden, thinking there's not that many as we're at the end of winter and have had very little rain. I was also curious to see the number of flowers I could find in my garden this time of the year.
So I set out and started snapping my garden flowers and plants.
The orchids are all coming to life - perhaps feeling spring is just around the corner?
I had probably only covered half the garden when I realised that despite it being a dry winter, there still is an abundance of colour all around as I counted twenty different varieties of flowers; amazing!
Beautiful variegated Camellia
Back to the people - here at our little bnb we meet people from all walks of life - business men & women, students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, aid workers, policemen and more - all requiring short term accommodation whilst going about their business.
Some come for vacations or short breakaways, some expats return to visit nearby family, some come for special occasions and others for sad ones - fortunately they all find a tranquil haven here.
Trellis down to the tranquil pool area
When the guests arrive, it's usually easy to pick up what kind of guests they will be; the low maintenance ones are my favourites, but the high maintenance ones test ones' patience.
Yet there are times when I think of that phrase - never judge a book by its' cover - as I have been so very wrong at times!
Gracious but unassuming String of Pearls with its feathery flowers giving off the most gorgeous cinnamon-like aroma
Some guests arrive quite hesitantly and almost withdrawn, these are the shy ones, or perhaps life has not been too kind to them?
But a smile, a friendly gesture, little extra touches to make their stay memorable, and they come out of their shells and blossom.
Some people are beautiful to look at, but when you get to know them, they prick you with their many sharp thorns; beware of those - fortunately I have not encountered too many of those in my lifetime!
Gorgeous Bougainvillea
Beware those thorns!
Yet others show their true character from the start - but we have never had any guests like that and fortunately I have rarely come across those types - they will say and do things to hurt those they come into contact with, especially if you dare cross swords with them!
Being the one who looks at life through rose coloured spectacles, I believe most of those are the ones who have really been hurt in life hence their hostile outlook, others are just plain nasty by nature - but both these types sadly miss out on the joys of life in a big way.
Best to have your shield of armour ready when you meet them!
I must say that I've managed to soften even some of the nasties through a little kindness.
Thorny cactus - I believe this one actually is poisonous.
Then there are the ones with the sharp tongues - oh boy and can those tongues sting!
Red hot devil chillies
Thank goodness most of our guests here at Lily's Cottage have been ones that bring a wonderful fragrance - such a joy meeting so many very special people.
Not too many flowers at the moment of the Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow - but the fragrance is still overwhelmingly gorgeous!
We fortunately have had many low maintenance guests - the ones who do not ask for much, are happy with what they see, thrive in their little temporary abode and make no mess!
Bright yellow Gazania happily blooming in very sandy soil.
And another one smiling at the sun despite the poor soil
High maintenance guests are difficult to manage and are a heck of a lot of work - they mess, they break the odd glass or cup and have other little mishaps, but they usually are the charming ones.
Gorgeous pink Cyclamen - requiring extra care, a gift from one of our guests
To end off I could not resist showing what a wonderful world we live in - looking at the cycle of life - seeds are sown but it always is the female species that bears the fruit, and so life goes on!
Quite amazing to think these little flowers will soon be plump juicy red Strawberries.
Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed this analogy between flowers and people, let me know if you find any other analogies during your daily life.
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