By Ralphine Major

The beautiful bloom became my new favorite flower many years ago.  Several floral arrangements sent when our father passed away 24 years ago this week featured the giant sunflower.  For a long time after then, I was attracted to anything sunflower.  Jewelry, mugs, sweatshirts, wall art, or anything bearing a picture of the bright yellow petals seemed to burst with cheerfulness.

I no longer collect things with the cheerful reminder these days, but I still enjoy the beauty of the sunflower.  Its sunshine-colored petals seem to be a reminder that it is still summer, though fall is nipping at her heels.  Some schools have already started, and most vacations are over.  Fall festivals are lining up one weekend after the other, and there is a hint of coolness in the early mornings.  If those are not enough signs of fall on the horizon, check the sports news.  High school football games are underway, and the long-awaited college games are not far behind.  I can almost hear the Voice of the Vols letting us know that it is almost “Football Time in Tennessee!”  But for now, enjoy the beautiful sunflowers.  It is still summer!

 

Mark your calendar for the Thunder Road Authors Rally on Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maynardville Public Library, 296 Main Street, Maynardville, TN 37807, 865-992-7106.  Hope to see you there!!