Nostalgia is the weekly photo challenge.

There are so many aspects to nostalgia, for me and for most people.

If I had to choose, scents and scenery are most apt to bring memories flooding though my mind. With cinnamon and ginger, wafting through the house on any given day, I can be drawn back to the inviting memories of after-school treats, apple pie, and cinnamon buns.

Sometimes, however, the visual reminders are sweet invitations to recall the past. Red geraniums work for me!

At this time of year, the geraniums are on their second or third bloom for my garden. I keep them in pots at the front of the house as a bright, cheerful welcome. 

I, also, keep them on the deck at the back of our house. They are a “home” feature to me, adding a touch of nostalgia to the deck which is our family’s favourite “added” summer room. Canadian winters are notoriously long but the enjoyment of warmer months is a consolation of sorts — maybe.

Red geraniums, coleus, shamrocks — these are the houseplants that resided in my childhood home. My mother was the caregiver to these bits of greenery in our old brick house built in 1902. Have to say that I was not exactly enamoured of these gems when they were in their down cycles, cut back, without blooms or bursting with new leaves. However, at their peak, they brightened the often blizzard-bound rural home, particularly for my mother.

Seems to me that the red geraniums were a sign of hope amidst the winter blahs. Some time ago, inspired by blooms captured in a local artist’s handiwork, I wrote a poem “Winter Waiting” about this phenomenon of nostalgia.

Winter Waiting
December
Greeting card
Geraniums are red
With crisp moulded green
Leaves and stems
Splotching through
Reminding me of Mother waiting
Through the dark white snows of winter
Waiting
For her January geraniums on the dining room window sill
Where they sat for long weeks 
With wilted brown leaves
And sturdy nodular stems 
Waiting for sun and light 
Solstice and solace
Clay potted geraniums of my Mother
Once again 
Were gone to bed
Waiting through the winter
                              Waiting to be red.

*poem was published in 2008 at Cyclamens & Swords. 

Thanks, All, for stopping by for a read of my blog. 
What makes you nostalgic?
Have a great weekend!