Inspiration & a Lemon Tree

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~Maya Angelou

Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

While walking, the steady thump of a a footstep can build into the foundation of a great song. While spacing out, colors and shapes you never noticed before come forth and create a passionate palate for art.

Inspiration struck me while walking around the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.

The floral scents wafting through me as I passed by; fresh grass, dewy flowers, sand and dirt, the moist aroma of water.

Sounds pulled my attention to places it would never have gone; a bunny scavenging in the back of a flower bed, children laughing as they snuck their toes in a fountain hidden at the back of a garden, a dragonfly's wings fluttering as it landed on a flower next to my head, a couple whispering to each other in question as to what tree the fig tree was in front of them.

Colors and visuals stimulated my mind, hardly allowing me to close my eyes. Who could close their eyes with so much life around, so much color, so much to see?

I took in everything I could. I photographed what I wanted to remember.

How could such an oasis be created in real life? In a home, in a back yard; to have such fruitfulness and beauty in your space?

As this thought came to mind, I looked down and saw a Meyer lemon tree growing happily in a terra cotta pot.

What perfection! How happy this fruiting tree seemed nestled in it's portable home.

Thoughts of greenhouses, portable gardens for seasonal benefit, fruiting trees and bushes planted to protect the privacy of a space as well as for sustenance of the inhabitants... my mind raced. So much bounty could inspire so much beauty and visa versa.

Inspiration.

All this joy, excitement, desire and love came from traveling one place new.

To thrive, you must explore.

I made a pact to myself to always keep a journal on me for all the unexpected moments of inspiration.

I came home and created a space in my living room for a Meyer lemon tree in a big, happy pot.

Wanna try some sunny, lemony related recipes? Yes, please! Lemon, Lime & Grapefruit Curd My Favorite Lemonade Strawberry & Lime Curd Tart