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Dear Ones,
Glad you could join me for another edition of the Style Me Bloggers Link-Up series. Our theme for today’s post is
“April showers (rain gear), bring May flowers (floral trends).”
Which begs the question, “What does the May flower bring?”
THE PILGRIMS!
[source]
As a former Bostonian, I couldn’t resist that little joke.
All kidding aside, I found today’s subject a big of a challenge. My immediate thought was I should post some great pictures of my rain gear and floral clothing. Isn’t that kinda what you envisioned?
Maybe a shiny yellow slicker, bright colored umbrella, some rain boots protecting a cute flowered dress underneath from getting wet in the rain. Can’t you just see me splashing about in a gentle spring shower for a quick photo op?
Yeah, well, maybe not so much.
I live in El Paso.
In the Chihuahua Desert on the foothills of the Franklin Mountains, about a mile and a half from the New Mexico border and less than twenty miles from Mexico. Not a lot of rain happenin’ round here.
A large majority of El Pasoans are Spanish-speaking. The Spanish word for umbrella is paraguas, literally ‘for water‘.
But here in El Paso, people have no need for para-aguas. We need para-sols.
Here I am on the Chihuahua Desert with my parasol.
Most of the native El Pasoans carry umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. When they don’t have an umbrella handy, a folded newspaper, notebook or purse will work just as well. My parasol just happens to fold up very nicely and will fit into my bag or even my pocket, for that matter.
You can tell that I am not a native El Pasoan. I don’t quite have the parasol business down pat yet.
But practice makes perfect.
And I’ll keep practicing.
I was even more stumped as far as the May flowers go.
To reiterate, I live in a desert, not to beat a dead horse, but them’s the facts.
I struggle to grow cactuses, ummm, cacti?
I had no idea what flowers I was going to post.
But when I got out in the desert with my parasol and looked around, I was surrounded by flowers.
Maybe not well-groomed roses, or orchids or irises.
But wildflowers.
Everywhere.
Look, even the prickly pear cactus have blooms!
These little beauties are called cowboy’s eggs. Probably not the “official” name but very apropos.
Pretty pretty, huh?
I am glad I wandered out into my own “backyard” today for this post. I am reminded that there is beauty even in the Chihuahua Desert.
Especially in the Chihuahua Desert.
Please be sure to stop by the blogs of my sweet friends to see the great April showers-May flowers posts they have created.
P.S. I do have some darling Marc Jacobs rain boots that my sweet, sweet sister (in-law) bought me for Christmas. I proudly wear them when the sun shines as I practice carrying my parasol.
Thank you, Greta.
Hugs and kisses,
Lana
Leslie, this post made me smile – and I needed that today, so thank you. Your parasol pictures are so funny! Thanks for sharing the desert flowers – I’ve always wanted to see a prickly pear. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Lana,
I am glad to introduce you to your first prickly pear, up close and personal! I had no idea what I was going to do for this post and then it dawned on me. I usually have my best creative thoughts when there is some kind of time crunch involved. Turned out to be kind of fun, too!
Karen Strand
Oh my goodness Leslie! You seriously had me cracking up with this one! I love your take on the prompt! I also love your parasol! We NEED to meet in real life and have drink to put that parasol in! How fun would that be?? Have a lovely weekend my friend!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ahh, Karen, you are too sweet. I just couldn’t think of any to do so I got crazy with this prompt. Would love to meet you in real life and enjoy some kind of adult beverage complete with umbrella and great conversation with you. Would love to pose for pictures in your great outdoor space and meet your adorable fur baby.
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
I love you Leslie! This post is awesome! That parasol, hilarious! And the boots with the flowers, love it!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Sarah. For not knowing a day before what I was going to do, the post kind of took on its own life and lead me through and turned out ok after all. I get all stressed and worried sometimes about what I am going to blog about and how my posts will be received but I figure those who follow me and come back know that I am crazy.
Carrie
And you found some lovely flowers!
Shaunacey
Leslie, you’ve got such a beautiful spirit and you never fail to make me laugh! this was a great post because I was smiling start to finish! Have a beautiful weekend
Katie
Leslie….you seriously kill me!! LOL!! Love this post!! Love the parasol..hahahaha
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Katie,
I kind of got the idea for the parasol at the last minute after realizing I had no true rain-wear to show case. My granddaughter Cady found one of these cocktail umbrellas on the sidewalk when I visited her last and played with it for hours. Of course, she held it upside down and it became a princess. I kind of pulled from the happy baby’s creativity for my own use. Thank you for your sweet words.
Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day
Paraqua…parasol! I NEVER saw the connection! Brilliant! And yes, I love the parasol pictures and want to have an umbrella drink with all you ladies!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Sheila,
Thank you for stopping by. I never really thought of the connection between parasol and a sun umbrella until I learned a wee bit of Spanish. Not that the word is Spanish at all, but learning the little Spanish I know, has helped me understand English words, too. I will grab Karen and let’s have our own long distance Happy Hour together one of these days. I have plenty of drink umbrellas for all of us!
Alison @ Puppies & Pretties
Love your parasol! Such fun pictures
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hi Alison,
I guess if my blogging is anything to me, it is almost always fun. I usually have no idea what I am going to write about but somehow my fingers take control on the keyboard and I just go along for the ride. Thank you for coming by!
Deena
Bahahhaah. So good. SO. SO good!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Deena,
Glad you got a giggle from my post. And even happier that you have decided to continue blogging. I think if I stop to ponder why I am doing this blogging business, there is no real change-the-world kind of answer but I like writing and this gives me an outlet for doing that. Plus I get to hang with the likes of great gals like you and the gang! Wishing you an entire week of spring weather.