flowers | Felix Doolittle Sketches

March 20, 2013

See What’s in Bloom for Spring 2013!

by robynfelixdoolittle

Spring is here!

Today marks the beginning of the 2013 National Cherry Blossom Festival! Have you ever been to Washington D.C. to walk under the umbrella of cherry blossoms that announce the arrival of Spring in our nation’s capital? If you haven’t, it is an unparalleled experience of color, splendor, and poetry set in the most picturesque way with the water and the Memorial in the background.

The gift of more than 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to the United States during the Wilson administration in 1912 will forever stand tall with the trees themselves as a symbol of international friendship and beauty. The festival also celebrates the influence of our first ladies, for initiating and perpetuating the growth of this festival through the years, as well as creating year-round events and educational programs that build community strength and spirit.

Have you seen Felix’s brand new designs inspired by the cherry blossom? You can find a set of four illustrations celebrating these simple pink flowers in our personalized Themed Note Cards here.

This year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from March 20th to April 14th. Here’s Eric Abel’s art that grace’s this year’s festival’s poster. Doesn’t it make you want to go!

The Japanese have been waxing poetic about cherry trees for a long time –

Does anyone know the dwelling place of the wind, scatterer of flowers? Tell me, that I may go there and deliver a complaint.

- Sosei the monk (10th century)

Soaring in white clouds, The cherry trees are in full bloom, Every branch bending with loaded blossoms. But the wind is ceaseless as the peak is lofty, And day after day falls the spring rain; The flowers have scattered from the upper sprays. May the blossoms on the lower branches neither fall nor lose their beauty, Till you, who journey, grass for pillow, Come home again!

-Mushimaro (8th century)

This gathered cherry branch can scarce convey A fancy of the blossom-laden tree: Blooming in sunlight, could I view it there Thoughts of its beauty would drive sleep away.

- Emperor Shomu to his lady love (8th century)

When seeing splendid and beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom, to appreciate the blossoms as beautiful is to know the heart of the thing. When discovering the beauty of the blossoms, we are moved by their beauty. This is mono no aware. … The essence of cherry trees is simply always to appreciate the mono no aware of the blossoms.

-The Tale of Genji (11th century)

Write us a poem, haiku, or prose about your experience with the inspiring flowering cherry tree. Have you seen them in Japan, DC, or are you lucky enough to have one in your yard or nearby park?

February 13, 2013

Valentine’s Day through a different lens

by lorendoolittle

Antique Valentine 1909

Some call Valentine’s Day a “Hallmark holiday.” That’s crazy. St. Valentine was martyred over 2,000 years ago after being jailed for presiding over soldiers who wanted to marry against the decree that they shouldn’t because it would make them soft. He was sent to jail, fell in love with the jailor’s daughter and before his death, wrote her a note that allegedly said, “From your Valentine.” Well, that’s one story. Either way, it was centuries before the printing press was even invented. Hallmark may have exploited the holiday, and maybe that’s what some people react against – the codified way of expressing our affection on Valentine’s Day and the emphasis of being part of a couple.

I have a different way of understanding Valentine’s Day that makes it easy and fun for anyone, in couple-hood or not, to celebrate. Here’s my take: Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of winter, during the one of the coldest months of the year. Right?

And how are we supposed to celebrate?

By giving beautiful and fragrant flowers, eating delicious foods including chocolate which has a secret door to some woman’s hearts, giving gifts that are soft to the touch, putting on romantic music and writing our loved ones that they are loved. All of these are meant to reawaken our senses and open our hearts in the midst of time where we’re often hibernating against the cold and wondering if Spring will ever come again. In fact, reawakening our senses, opens our hearts, and in turn, the opening of our hearts revitalizes our senses. Valentine’s Day is a chance to rejoice in life and love by knocking on the door of our senses and inviting them back into your life.

So, go ahead, there’s still time to buy some beautiful flowers, eat sumptuous foods, listen to music that moves you, and to write to your honey how much he/she is appreciated, admired, and loved.

Keep the spirit of Valentine’s Day alive by joining our Love Note Writing Challenge where you choose the frequency per week to write to your loved one(s) for one month’s time. We’ll check back in together along the way to see if there’s been any changes. Hope you’ll join us! You can sign up here: http://wp.me/p2gNiq-mQ