"That's Life": Pearl Bailey's Influence on my Helichrysum bracteatum

The images posted above are of one of the Helichrysum bracteatum AKA Strawflowers that grow in my urban (New York City) terrace garden. They were taken on December 5th, 7th and 8th respectively. Like most of the things (80+) which I grow there, they love to sing. In fact, as you may recall, from a previous blog post (which you may read by clicking here), soon after this past Thanksgiving my Helichrysum bracteatum flowers, along with my White Swan Echinacea, were singing Cyndi Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

This past week, however, they were singing, "That's Life", and putting emphasis on the following lyrics:

"That's life, I can't deny it, 

I thought of quitting, 

But my heart just won't buy it. 

Cause if I didn't think it was worth a try, 

I'd have to roll myself up in a big ball and die."

According to the self-appointed "spokesflower" of my Helichrysum bracteatum plant, and pictured here, all of the Helichrysum bracteatum flowers are mindful that because it is December and they are annuals, their life in my garden (which has mainly perennials) is nearing the end, but they are determined to live their remaining days to the fullest. Hence, they continued to repeat the words, "I thought of quitting, But my heart just won't buy it". 

And the part about rolling up into a big ball? Well, they do roll themselves up into a ball, when it gets cold, when it gets dark, and when it rains. They become like a cat that curls up for a nap! 

However, being true to the lyrics, my Helichrysum bracteatum, when they came to the line, "I'd have to roll myself up in a big ball and die," they laughed as they recalled Pearl Bailey, for when she sang the lyrics, she added her own touch, "I'd have to roll myself up in a big ball — I wouldn't make no little ball —  and die."

That's it for today, but, as always, I invite you to please weigh in with your thoughts, ideas and reactions. If you are new to posting this type of thing, you may click here for directions. And apropos of nothing in today's post, I now have greeting cards available for the forthcoming December holidays. Some of these cards are now on ETSY; however, the majority of them are featured within the Card Shoppe Pages of my web-site, Patricia Youngquist Photo Art. To go to where they are located within the beautiful Card Shoppe Pages, please click here to view my selections of delightful greeting cards to honor the festivities.