…and so I painted the Crocus

Notice the blade of grass.It matters, or doesn’t it?

And so I tried to paint a crocus…

Asking AI how many times a crocus can open and close I got not a number but the answer to how.

They close at night and when it is dull. They open in warmth and especially direct sun. That answers when, but how is the question.

The word is nyctinasty : they either pump water out of cells at the base of the petals or by growing new cells on the outside of the base of the petals, which forces them to shut. To open, they grow cells on the inside.

This crocus has been busy!

Religion

I was reading a story that travelled. It was started between 750 BC and 679 BC and continued 600 years later.

The story tellers were God through Isaiah and Jesus.

What was the story?

It was a gardening story that took place in a warm and rocky country where grapes grow.

God is in distress!

He lists all the things He has done for the ground and the choicest vine plants:

‘ I fenced it , took out the stones, chose the best quality plants, built a tower to look at it from, built a wine press, and…

The grapes were small and wild.

God the gardener said:

‘ I will take away the hedge, break the wall, nothing will be pruned, no one will dig it, thorns and Briers will grow. I will also command the clouds that they rain, no rain on it!’

Then God’s voice continues through the prophet Isaiah as He gives the meaning of His story. (Isaiah 5)

Six hundred years later, Jesus picks up the same theme, and the story starts with preparing the ground for the vines. This time, the owner leaves the vineyard in the care of stewards and sends servants to find out how the plants are doing. Each time, these servants are beaten, stoned, and even killed. The owner then decides to send his son.

‘ They will show respect to my son.’ He says.

But

The stewards say: ‘ Let’s kill him and take the inheritance.’

Jesus then asks this question:

‘ When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to these people/ the stewards who were looking after the vineyard?’

The audience answers:

‘Destroy them!’

Matthew 21; 33-40

Read around both Isaiah 5 and Matthew 21 written 600 years apart. It is really interesting.

So we travelled to two old stories I was reading from me trying to paint a crocus. I was hoping the Crocus would open one last time, but no, it is closed.

Take care,

Sandy 🙂

Author’s comment. Looking at a flower next to the one I photographed today, there was one on it side still with grass in the middle.  Considering all those days it may not have been the same flower. I still would like to know how many times they can open and close!