Sam, ghost flowers are so unusual. They have no chlorophyll, so they cannot perform their own photosynthesis. They have to depend on a nearby tree to feed them.
I really liked this line, Ann: "...distant call of an owl to its mate across the blue veil of the evening." A nice visual I can imagine with that description.
Your video clip of a ghost flower and ancient tree gives a nice visual as well of this chapter. Thank you for sharing and I am enjoying this series.
Oh, Ann ~ this is a perfect, beautiful end to your story. I could not have imagined it. The photos, and especially the video, perfectly captured the story. I have been lucky to, every once in a while, find ghost flowers on my walks. Thank you for this story. Your ancestors are proud, I know. ♥️
Roseanne, I love knowing that this ending pleased you. Ghost flowers are mysterious and surprising. Like you, I always receive them as the most loving gift. One of the many ways nature shows us "There is a light and it never goes out." xo 💛
Thank you, Kim, for walking along and encouraging me all the way through.💛 I thought writing a fairytale would be easy and light, but in certain spots it definitely made me pause. Themes kept coming up, and I feel grateful for the chance to try and explore them creatively--if only in my imagination.
Ann! I read this yesterday and couldn’t bring myself to reply right away. My mindheart needed to rest in this beautiful entangled love story of tree and ghost pipe. I wanted to cry and sigh all at once. We have them all over the forest here, but not every year, and when they appear, it is like angels have crawled up from the earth. (Where angels should come from! Not the sky!) And now, I will forever see them and think of Annu and Oli and their eternal exchange of love coursing through bowed heads and strong limbs. What a treasure of a story. I’m sad it’s over!
Kimberly, oh dear one! You are so right, angels should come from the earth! From a place where roots tangle with grief and somehow still create beauty. That dark place is exactly where courage grows! Thank you for seeing Annu & Olli, and my great-great grandparents, and for believing that meaning can come from loss. Your writing has been an ongoing inspiration to me in this way. Especially for helping me trust that the most tender stories—the ones that feel too fragile to tell, can be worth sharing. Your generous heart has made me braver. So much love to you. xo 💛
Awwww! This brings tears to my eyes. Your great great grandparents would be (and are) so proud. What a gift you’ve offered their souls. I will treasure this story and return to it again and again with so much delight.
Ann, I love the ending to this tender story full of magic, because it is surprising and beautiful and it captures the essence of connection and caring that was woven throughout. I know that writing stories isn't easy, but you made it seem effortless.
Thank you, Conny. I felt such wonderful support from you the entire time. And I want you to know it means a lot to me that you took the time to read every chapter. What an honor it is to be tended by your care and generosity. xo 💛
I love the synthesis of fiction, flora, and family history. To have it all summed up in such a special flower and symbol feels very fitting. A gentle ending that invites the reader further into the spirit of nature that was Annu's calling.
Congrats on finishing it. It was a pleasure reading it.
Thank you, Hasse! I had originally planned that Greta would become a tree alongside him. But then thinking about my great-great grandmother, I had only wished that she could have continued savoring her life after her husband died. So I wanted the character Greta to be in love with her husband, but also a woman called to keep living her own story. It means a lot to me that you would take the time to read each part and tell me what you thought. Super kind of you 💛💛💛
I mentioned it earlier, but I was somewhat reminded of a comic book I hold very dear. Among many things, it is about the relationship between a swamp god and a woman:
Being a comic book, it is a bit more all over the place though.
I think it was fitting to let your wish for your great-great grandmother seep into the story. Stories are allowed to be more hopeful than reality sometimes is.
"He fed her with sugar made from the green of their eternal bond. And every twenty-eight days, she was at peace, undivided—proof that some hearts refuse to be diminished by impossible choices." and, some hearts refuse to die because of love.
I have loved every word and illustration of this beautiful story Ann, I wish only that I could have met the wise inspiration behind it - I am so sad its over but so delighted also by ghost flowers...
Thank you for all the love Susie. That’s what we all carry with us after the writing—the grace of it lingers. This project is still a rough draft, but I have loved it anyway. And I’m so happy that you enjoyed the part about their exchange being a sweet feast, because what could possibly be more romantic than photosynthesis?!? It’s alchemy. Pure love. 🤗
LeeAnn, that's a lovely thing to ask. It surely needs some editing. I think I'll let it rest a while and come back to it this fall. You know how it is when you've made something and it's still too close to your heart? Now, when I try to read it all together, it's like trying to eat a whole stick of butter. A little too much of myself--if that makes sense? Thank you for helping me feel more confident about trying something new.
I LOVE these photos!
Thank you, Sam! I’m glad you like them. Ghost flowers are my absolute favorite. I never know where I’ll see them pop up!
I’d never heard of them before. Thank you sharing. 😊
Sam, ghost flowers are so unusual. They have no chlorophyll, so they cannot perform their own photosynthesis. They have to depend on a nearby tree to feed them.
I really liked this line, Ann: "...distant call of an owl to its mate across the blue veil of the evening." A nice visual I can imagine with that description.
Your video clip of a ghost flower and ancient tree gives a nice visual as well of this chapter. Thank you for sharing and I am enjoying this series.
Neil, you’re the absolute best. Thank you for your enthusiastic support.
"some hearts refuse to be diminished by impossible choices" 💛
There is always a way through 💛
A touching, poetic finale to this lovely tale. Thank you.
Ralph, thank you for following the story with me. One always debates how a story might end. I'm so glad you enjoyed this last part.💛
Oh, Ann ~ this is a perfect, beautiful end to your story. I could not have imagined it. The photos, and especially the video, perfectly captured the story. I have been lucky to, every once in a while, find ghost flowers on my walks. Thank you for this story. Your ancestors are proud, I know. ♥️
Roseanne, I love knowing that this ending pleased you. Ghost flowers are mysterious and surprising. Like you, I always receive them as the most loving gift. One of the many ways nature shows us "There is a light and it never goes out." xo 💛
Just lovely!
Thank you dear one! 💛
Oh, Ann! What a surprising conclusion to this amazing love story.
Thank you for sharing this with the world.
Thank you, Kim, for walking along and encouraging me all the way through.💛 I thought writing a fairytale would be easy and light, but in certain spots it definitely made me pause. Themes kept coming up, and I feel grateful for the chance to try and explore them creatively--if only in my imagination.
Ann! I read this yesterday and couldn’t bring myself to reply right away. My mindheart needed to rest in this beautiful entangled love story of tree and ghost pipe. I wanted to cry and sigh all at once. We have them all over the forest here, but not every year, and when they appear, it is like angels have crawled up from the earth. (Where angels should come from! Not the sky!) And now, I will forever see them and think of Annu and Oli and their eternal exchange of love coursing through bowed heads and strong limbs. What a treasure of a story. I’m sad it’s over!
Kimberly, oh dear one! You are so right, angels should come from the earth! From a place where roots tangle with grief and somehow still create beauty. That dark place is exactly where courage grows! Thank you for seeing Annu & Olli, and my great-great grandparents, and for believing that meaning can come from loss. Your writing has been an ongoing inspiration to me in this way. Especially for helping me trust that the most tender stories—the ones that feel too fragile to tell, can be worth sharing. Your generous heart has made me braver. So much love to you. xo 💛
Awwww! This brings tears to my eyes. Your great great grandparents would be (and are) so proud. What a gift you’ve offered their souls. I will treasure this story and return to it again and again with so much delight.
Ann, I love the ending to this tender story full of magic, because it is surprising and beautiful and it captures the essence of connection and caring that was woven throughout. I know that writing stories isn't easy, but you made it seem effortless.
Thank you, Conny. I felt such wonderful support from you the entire time. And I want you to know it means a lot to me that you took the time to read every chapter. What an honor it is to be tended by your care and generosity. xo 💛
It's a pleasure!
I love the synthesis of fiction, flora, and family history. To have it all summed up in such a special flower and symbol feels very fitting. A gentle ending that invites the reader further into the spirit of nature that was Annu's calling.
Congrats on finishing it. It was a pleasure reading it.
Thank you, Hasse! I had originally planned that Greta would become a tree alongside him. But then thinking about my great-great grandmother, I had only wished that she could have continued savoring her life after her husband died. So I wanted the character Greta to be in love with her husband, but also a woman called to keep living her own story. It means a lot to me that you would take the time to read each part and tell me what you thought. Super kind of you 💛💛💛
I mentioned it earlier, but I was somewhat reminded of a comic book I hold very dear. Among many things, it is about the relationship between a swamp god and a woman:
https://i0.wp.com/www.horrorhomeroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screen-Shot-2019-05-09-at-6.55.58-PM-copy.png?w=1000&ssl=1
Being a comic book, it is a bit more all over the place though.
I think it was fitting to let your wish for your great-great grandmother seep into the story. Stories are allowed to be more hopeful than reality sometimes is.
Can you hear my deep sigh dear one?
"He fed her with sugar made from the green of their eternal bond. And every twenty-eight days, she was at peace, undivided—proof that some hearts refuse to be diminished by impossible choices." and, some hearts refuse to die because of love.
I have loved every word and illustration of this beautiful story Ann, I wish only that I could have met the wise inspiration behind it - I am so sad its over but so delighted also by ghost flowers...
Thank you for sharing such a precious gift. 💛xxx
Thank you for all the love Susie. That’s what we all carry with us after the writing—the grace of it lingers. This project is still a rough draft, but I have loved it anyway. And I’m so happy that you enjoyed the part about their exchange being a sweet feast, because what could possibly be more romantic than photosynthesis?!? It’s alchemy. Pure love. 🤗
This is stunning, Ann. Such a beautiful story. I hope you can find a way to put it all together so we can read it all the through at once.
LeeAnn, that's a lovely thing to ask. It surely needs some editing. I think I'll let it rest a while and come back to it this fall. You know how it is when you've made something and it's still too close to your heart? Now, when I try to read it all together, it's like trying to eat a whole stick of butter. A little too much of myself--if that makes sense? Thank you for helping me feel more confident about trying something new.