This is a close up picture of a Papyrus greeting card that I was given. I was thinking I should use it for my submission to the weekly photo challenge (this week the theme is Summer), even though I’ve never been part of that challenge before except as a spectator in awe of other people’s photographs. Perhaps this particular photo choice will give you a clue as to why I’ve been reluctant to take the challenge. I might not be taken seriously. Because the word ”summer” probably doesn’t normally conjure up visions of paper flowers covered in glitter and little glass beads.
However, hummingbirds should make you think of summer, and the Papyrus people appear to be obsessed by them. So if you take that into account, maybe my summer greeting card makes perfect sense. And if not perfect, at least a miniscule amount of it. Here is what they have to say about hummingbirds.
- Hummingbird (Photo credit: Marie Carter)
Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Hummingbirds open our eyes to the wonder of the world and inspire us to open our hearts to loved ones and friends. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and to savor each moment as it passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of everyday. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.
Now seriously, did you know all that about these little birds? I’ll bet even THEY don’t know the half of it. Still, the sentiments are lovely, and that’s really what greeting cards are all about. They inspire us to say stuff like “Wow, this flower reminds me of the beach” or “good gawd there’s glitter everywhere!”
I actually love this card – I don’t know why I’m making fun of it. Even the envelope is gorgeous. And I have nothing against hummingbirds as long as I don’t have to wash out those annoying feeders that people hang up to attract them. E-cards are fun, but there’s something solid and comforting about holding a real one in your hand, seeing an actual signature, stashing it away in your sock drawer, taking it out and smiling over it at some future date. And snapping a close up picture of it, if you have no real life to speak of. That’s a definite plus for the real thing.
